How to get more energy naturally

Thursdays are my early mornings. I meet with a group of professionals over breakfast to network, and I need to get up extra early to do this. I have to admit that if  I don’t get enough sleep the night before, it’s likely that I’ll want to grab a second cup of green tea.

Many people that I know feel their energy is constantly low and ask me what they can do to alleviate it. Here are my four tips to help raise your energy:

Go green – Leafy greens give you essential vitamins such as A, C, E and K
and nutrients like calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorus and zinc.  And by greens, I don’t mean iceberg lettuce. Think darker, leafy
greens such as kale, swiss chard, watercress, collards greens, and
dandelion to name just a few. I try to eat leafy greens several times per week. They’re easy to find in most stores – maybe you never noticed them before. Next time you go shopping, explore the greens section.

Cut back on caffeine – the first week or two will be difficult but I’ve noticed that many of my clients who’ve been able to reduce or eliminate coffee, tea, soda and energy drinks from their diets feel more energized than those who rely on it to keep them going. I go back and forth on caffeine, but I find that going without is usually better for me.

Get your Zzzzs – If you are always tired, you’re probably not getting the sleep
you need. I don’t want to hear the old, “I’ll sleep when I’m dead.” argument
either. Did you know that sleep helps your body repair itself, boosts your immune system functioning, and can make you slimmer and smarter? If I miss out on sleep one night, I make sure to get into bed earlier the next.

Exercise – Moving your body is naturally energizing. We are meant to move – working all day long at a desk is unnatural. If you think you’re too busy to exercise, get creative – even moving 10 minutes at a time is better than doing nothing. Can you take 10 minutes during lunch to walk briskly? Are there instances when you can take the stairs instead of the elevator? Can you park your car farther away from the store so that you have to walk longer? Before you know it, you’ll have exercised for 30 minutes by doing everyday activities.