If you’re tired of, well, feeling tired, start by taking a look at your diet. Are you eating a lot of high glycemic carbs? What about processed foods that are full of sugar? Sure they’ll give you a temporary energy boost, but you’ll be going back for more each time your energy levels dip — wreaking havoc on your blood sugar levels and seriously stressing out your system.
Okay, now that we’ve got the food culprits out the way, let’s look at 5 natural ways to say farewell to your fatigue.
5 Energy-Boosting Hacks that Are All Natural
We aren’t going to tell you to get a good night’s sleep, drink more water, and exercise more. Because you’ve heard it all before. Right? Instead, let’s take a look at not-so-common ways to boost your energy — naturally.
1. Sprinkle chia seeds on your oatmeal. While there’s a whole list of energy-boosting foods you can choose from, we loved that this perfect pair gives you double the boosting power from the get-go. While chia seeds are an equal mix of protein, good fats, and fiber (minus the carbs!) — everything you need to feel like the Energizer Bunny — oatmeal is a complex carbohydrate (a.k.a., a carb we can befriend) that is known for evenly distributing the energy over a period of time. Put the two together and, voila! You’ve got a tasty breakfast that’ll keep you going… and going… and going…
2. Drink all the green. From green tea to freshly blended veggie juice, now you can experience a jolt of energy without consuming those nasty energy drinks. Green tea comes with a healthy caffeine boost and a plethora of health benefits. And ingesting your veggies in juice form means your body doesn’t have to tire itself out digesting the fiber — while reaping all the health benefits anyway… and giving you an energy boost to boot!
3. Make peppermint oil your new “perfume.” We’re only half kidding. For this natural energy booster to work, dab a few drops onto your wrist when you’re feeling fatigued. Don’t like the idea of smelling like mint candy? You can drink it or steam it. Try adding some to your glass of water, or to your diffuser for a lovely wake-me-up.
4.Nap when you need to. We’re talking about power naps — not hour-long naps that will make you even groggier (because you’ve reached a deeper stage of sleep.) But wake up after 20 minutes, and you’ll feel seriously refreshed. And if you’re the type that falls asleep the moment your head hits the pillow, even a 10-minute nap can do wonders for your levels of alertness! Just as importantly, a short nap won’t interfere with bedtime. Think about it: If you’re tossing and turning all night (and waking up exhausted), it kind of defeats the purpose of those daytime naps.
5. Eat dark chocolate for dessert. We’ve all heard the good news before: Dark chocolate is good for us. (Yay!) But of its many health benefits, did you know it can also help you feel more energized? This is because cocoa contains antioxidants, known for lowering blood pressure and improving blood flow, both of which you can thank for the energy boost.
Next time you’re feeling fatigued, give these tricks a try! And if you’re running low on energy — and time — this 30-second meditation might be just the boost you need. Be sure to speak with your family doctor if your feelings of tiredness persist. You don’t want to sleep away the summer, now do you?
