Let’s admit it, the best way to make sure you have all the energy you need in a day is to “live clean and eat healthy”. But in reality, how do you do it?
One moment you’re oozing with so much energy and vitality, and another you’re feeling sluggish, slow and defeated. Is there a way to maintain the optimal amount of energy so you can always do more?
The kind and amount of food that you eat are partly responsible for your daily energy level. If you consume the type and quantity of food that are appropriate to your activity level, then you can be more or less sure that your energy levels are sustained within the day. Here are some very easy and basic hacks that you can start doing today to make sure you’ll have plenty of energy tomorrow:
Hydrate
You do know that your body is made up of 60% water, right?
Time and time again, you are taught that water is your friend and that you should drink more of it. However, because there are a whole lot more enticing options for liquid drinks, water tends to land at the bottom of the list. Some people even need to have an actual reminder in their schedule just to drink water! You’ll be surprised how many apps are developed just for people to track their water consumption and remind them to drink their next glass.
You can say that water is boring and sugary drinks taste way better, but water has benefits you can’t deny. Did you know that dehydration can lead to a lot of health repercussions? According to studies, even mild dehydration can impair important brain and bodily functions which may make you feel beat, sluggish and tired.
If you haven’t been drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day and you’re feeling tired easily, try stepping up your drinking (and not the alcohol kind) game and observing if something changes in your energy level. While you’re at it, why not download one of those water apps and see if it works?
Ease your way into a diet
We all see these different types of diets being advertised by whoever is famous on Instagram. While we don’t take anything away from these diet plans and we recognize that some of them may be backed by science and research, it is important to understand that altering your eating behavior drastically to lose weight may not be doing you and your energy levels any good.
If you feel very strongly about a diet plan and you’re absolutely convinced that you should do it, try your best not to do it drastically and dive head first all at once. Keep in mind that insufficient calorie and nutrition intake can cause fatigue. Ease your way into a diet and gradually shift your eating habits in such a way that prepares your body for the change. That way, your body will have time to adapt to your new habit while sustaining the amount of energy you need to keep you going throughout the day.
Consciously choose healthier options
We’re not saying no to occasional binge eating sessions and food trips, because who doesn’t love those? But consuming deep fried, fatty food with a side of ice cream and fries then gulping it down with a sugary soda daily? Come on, even reading that makes you rethink your food choices.
These unhealthy food choices play a huge role not just in your energy, but in your overall health and well being as well. Sugar crash is not a myth invented by moms to stop little kids from eating desserts, it’s real and it becomes more real for adults because it affects the quality of your day. It can make you unproductive, unable to focus and just overall distracted.
“You are what you eat” - you know it very well but sometimes you forget to keep it in mind when you do your grocery runs. If you want better energy, you have to be ready and willing to consciously choose healthier options when it comes to your food and drinks.
Start with checking out the Nutrition Facts (yup that black and white box at the back you’ve ignored all your life) of the food items you buy and compare which ones contain more of the good stuff and less of the unhealthy stuff. It’s time to stop consuming food or drinks that you don’t know what’s inside of. Do you research which items you should be getting more of, and get them. If you can, try to prepare your own food as well - not only will you save money from constantly getting take out food, you will also be more aware of what’s going inside your body.
At the end of the day, the amount of energy you’re going to have is tantamount to the amount of conscious effort you put into getting it. The start will always be the hardest and there will always be obstacles, but knowing that you’re doing this to unlock a better version of yourself should be enough to keep you going.
Hero Image by THE 5TH on Unsplash.
