Your Guide To Getting Energised

If the sound of relying on ‘just one’ alarm to wake you up in the morning is terrifying and could mean the end of your current job, this is the article for you. Setting ten alarms in the morning at 5 minute intervals may be effective at irritating you to eventually get out of bed, but its not exactly an ideal habit to adjust too. And while your morning coffee may just put that extra kick in your step, unfortunately it’s not strategic to become dependent on it. You see, while at the moment you may be able to disguise your constant state of exhaustion with the energy hit stimulants give you, there’s only so long this can last. Soon enough, you’ll be labeled as ‘the caffeine addict’ and in the long term, you could be imposing severe health risks on yourself. The struggle is all too real. But if you’re looking to change your habits and find an escape route from your cycle of energy deprivation, keep reading. Here we have five habits you should adopt to bring back the energy and liveliness back into your day! (Note: Side effects could include reduced crankiness, greater willingness to interact with others, and all round enlightened mindset).

1. SLEEP OPTIMISATION

(Stop distracting yourself with another YouTube video and throw yourself into bed… We all know that ‘just one more’ actually means at least another ten) Aim for 8-9 hours of sleep per night. If you struggle with getting to sleep try drinking herbal teas before bed, or stress relief meditation exercises.  

2. TAKE YOUR VITAMINS AND MINERALS

(There’s a reason why you keep hearing about them) 1. Vitamin B (B1- Thiamine, B2- Riboflavin, B3- Niacin, B5- Pantothenic Acid): will help you to extract and employ the energy from the protein, carbohydrates and fats in your diet. You can find these in wholegrain cereals, eggs, meat, and poultry. 2. Iron: Without sufficient levels of iron your body isn’t able to produce energy from glucose (and thus, the food you take in). You can find iron in foods like lean red meats, leafy green vegetables, legumes, nuts and fish. 3. Magnesium: To increase your magnesium intake, stick to natural, unprocessed foods like tofu, leafy greens, nuts and seeds.  

3. DRINK MORE WATER… AND LESS COFFEE AND ALCOHOL

(Coffee and alcohol may be good for the soul, but they don’t exactly agree with the heart, the liver or… brain) Drinking coffee only gives you a temporary energy hit by boosting your adrenaline levels. But beware, this soon wears away and constant dependence on caffeine will exhaust your adrenal glands. Coffee and alcohol dehydrate the body. Drink water every hour or so and avoid feeling like a human slug.  

4. KEEP YOURSELF MOVING

(Getting up from your seat every now and then reminds your brain that you’re awake) Whether you’re a gym junkie or just enjoy your afternoon walks where your dog walks you, staying fit and healthy will help you to feel energized all day long. Anyone who works at a desk should get up and walk around for 10 minutes or so every 30mins-2hrs to refresh yourself and keep the blood flowing through your body.  

5. FIX YOUR DIET

(Apparently Krispy-Kreme donuts have been giving you ‘the wrong kind’ of energy). Stick to a balanced diet with a range of complex carbs to keep your blood sugar levels stable and keep you feeling your best!