Having a hard time getting through the afternoon slump? If you feel worn out all the time, your lifestyle may be taking a toll on your energy levels, leaving you feeling exhausted. The thing is, when you’re going non-stop, it can be tough to find ways to recharge. Fortunately, experts say simple lifestyle tweaks can help improve low energy levels.
Research shows these easy habits can help boost your energy:
- Find healthy ways to deal with stress - Stress has a huge impact on physical health and can “absolutely contribute to low energy,” according to Dr. Nina Vasan, chief medical officer at mental wellness app Real. Experts recommend finding coping skills that work for you, like journaling or meditation, that can help you relax, destress and feel more energetic as a result.
- Limit your caffeine intake - It’s so easy to reach for another cup of coffee when you need to perk up later in the day, but it’s not helping in the long run. Drinking large amounts of caffeine can keep you from sleeping well, which then affects your energy levels the next day, so try to resist that extra cup.
- Establish a good sleep hygiene routine - You know you need quality sleep, but do you know what it takes to get it? Habits like sticking to a regular bedtime, dimming the lights in the evening and doing relaxing activities before bedtime can all help you snooze more soundly.
- Get moving during the day - Research shows that exercise, even just a small amount, is key to feeling more energetic. Vasan says it’s the number one tip she gives anyone feeling fatigued because even low-impact movement increases oxygen flow and hormone levels, which helps boost energy.
- Drink more water - Dehydration is a common cause of low energy, so make sure you’re sipping water throughout the day.
- Be mindful of evening screen time - Lots of us still scroll on our phones in bed or watch TV before we go to sleep, but experts remind us that it can mess with our natural sleep cycles and energy the next day.
- Avoid skipping meals - When you skip meals, you may feel groggier than usual. Our brains need nutrient-rich foods to function properly and eating meals and snacks throughout the day can help increase energy levels, too.
Source: Huff Post