Irrespective of age, many of us in the 21st century find that we are often lacking in energy. We wake up feeling that we could do with another few hours sleep, or we leap up enthusiastically - get into work, or shuffle the kids and hubby out the door, and by 10am feel exhausted and ready for a snooze. Surely our forebears - those women and men with multiple children, who built their own homes, did the laundry by hand, grew vegetables and baked bread from scratch every day, despite no doubt being rather weary - didn’t ever sneak a nana nap (never mind that they wouldn’t have had the time...)
Our modern lifestyle appears to exhaust us in a more sinister way than the typical tiredness experienced after a solid days work. Conditions like adrenal fatigue, burnout, chronic fatigue syndrome, anxiety disorders and depression are being diagnosed with alarming frequency.
Are we getting softer, or are the rigours of daily living really getting that much harder?
The answer probably lies somewhere in the middle. Yes we are physically, mentallyand emotionally compromising ourselves in many ways, and yes the demands on us - to manage our time, careers and family to a high standard can be overwhelming a lot of the time. The upshot of all this is that we are collectively worn out, spent, depleted and outright pooped! While we can’t change our lifestyle immediately, we can implement some tools to boost energy and stave off opportunistic health conditions that prey on us when we are fatigued.
Foods and nutritional supplements - these are the very fuels that keep us in good running order. If you are super-busy, think of yourself like a high performance race car. These need special fuels, and tires and body accessories to enable them to meet the demands of their daily tasks. Shortcuts can’t be taken or lives will be put at risk and races will never be won. Our bodies are governed by the same principles. We can’t expect them to carry out their roles effectively if we use budget fuel and parts. We need energy-giving nutrients and enzymes that are found in raw foods like salads and fresh fruits. A good rule is to try and eat foods as close to their natural state as possible.
Select complex carbohydrates - brown rice, whole grain breads, veges and lean proteins from fish and chicken that release slowly into our bloodstream, helping to maintain energy levels. Reaching for a quick fix, usually something sweet, means that we experience a sharp peak in blood sugar and energy levels, but swiftly lose that rush as insulin is released in large amounts to clear the sugar from our blood - sugar that, unless we burn it off with exercise will be stored as fat. To top it off the drop in blood sugar increases our appetite and tempts us toward that quick fix once again. A good tip is to keep some healthy snacks close at hand. Nuts, seeds and a small amount of dried fruit can satisfy that between-meal peckishness, or a small tin of tuna or salmon and some crackers. For a quick and simple energy fix, check out our yummy Energy Balls Recipe.
Supplements and herbs B complex vitamins - act like spark plugs in our body by igniting many of the biochemical reactions that are continually occurring. In addition to looking after our adrenals and nervous system, these nutrients also assist with energy production. B vitamins are water-soluble and not well stored in the body, therefore daily multivitamin supplementation is recommended in times of fatigue or increased stress. The super-food Spirulina is also a great source of B complex as well as a host of other nutritional goodies that endow it with almost instant energy-giving qualities. Keep some tablets or capsules handy (in your snack drawer), or have a smoothie for breakfast or as a mid-morning or afternoon energy-giving booster.
Adaptogenic herbs - these plants exert remarkable actions on a world -weary body. As their name suggests adaptogens support the body’s resistance and adaptation to a variety of chemical, biological, and physical stressors that we may place upon it on a daily basis. Popular adaptogenic herbs are Withania and Siberian ginseng. Withania rejuvenates the body by assisting physical performance, improving strength and delaying the onset of fatigue, while ginseng is well known for combating the detrimental effects of stress, supporting the central nervous system, memory and concentration.
Multiva - From About Health is a unique multivitamin, formulated specifically for Kiwi men and women, which contains the all important B complex vitamins as well as Withania and Ginseng!
Exercise - even a 10 minute power walk at lunchtime will improve your energy levels.
Be positive - try waking up to your own personal affirmation each day. And avoid negative people who literally drain your energy!
