A sneak preview of one tip: get moving, men!
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Energy drinks and snacks have exploded and questions about energy levels abound: “Why do I always feel so tired?” “Why am I tired during the day, but can’t sleep at night?” “Why does resting not seem to work?” And guys, we need energy to make our lives worth living. If you’re wondering which aspect of your life takes the biggest hit when your energy levels fall, just ask your significant other. If you don’t have a significant other and you’d rather veg out in front of the TV on weekends…well, sounds like your lack of energy has totally crippled your love life.
Good news? This is an easily solved problem. Forget the ten cups of coffee and the Red Bull to combat the afternoon doldrums, and stop splashing cold water on your face in a desperate attempt to “wake up.” These are all Band-Aids, at best. No, just read the following five tips/truisms and you’ll be well on your way to beating the daily drag.
- Energy Begets Energy. The biggest mistake everyone makes is this—they believe collapsing on the couch will restore their energy. No, just the opposite, in fact. You will feel more tired and less motivated. If you want energy, you have to get up and move around. “A body in motion tends to stay in motion” is true outside of the physics realm, and there’s a reason why the old adage, “if you need something done, ask a busy person” is absolutely accurate. Why do you think so many advocate a workout routine?
- Diet ALWAYS Matters. Diet is critical. It’s not merely important for general health; it also dictates your energy levels. If you eat poorly—bad food with lots of fat and salt, for instance—or you’re eating inconsistently, this impacts energy. And you might be surprised what can have a detrimental effect on both sleep and energy; for example, here are 4 “healthy” things that really aren’t healthy at all. Focus on cutting the quantity and ingesting foods that deliver natural energy, which is infinitely better than relying on energy drinks or coffee.
- Solidify Your Sleep Schedule. If your sleep schedule is all over the place, your energy levels won’t stay consistent. On top of which, if you spend too much time in a sedentary position, sleep won’t come easily. If your schedule permits, try going to bed and getting up at the same time every day, even on off days. Avoid sleep aids of any kind because generally, you will only feel rested if you get solid, natural rest, and with that goal, check out more useful tips.
- Find a more active hobby. This could be just about anything, provided it gets you moving. And isn’t about exercise or working out; this is about having fun and reaping the benefits of energy creation (see #1 above). As we get older, we tend to have less free time so it can be a challenge to nail down a routine hobby. You need to try, though; not only will it get you moving, but you’ll start to look forward to this block of time, when you know your body will get some healthy treatment and you’ll enjoy yourself. Believe it or not, health and fitness isn’t about being miserable. Quite the opposite, which leads me to #5…
- Those with more energy look and feel better. All…the…time. I know the slow-movers think people who tackle life with vim and verve are just insane. Why? Because the unfortunate consensus among the health-ignorant is that we’re moving around quickly because we’ forced, because we feel harried or stressed, or we’re just plain manic. They also believe we tragically can’t comprehend the joys of leisure and relaxation. In point of fact, those with higher energy levels aren’t only healthier, they’re invariably happier, too.
That’s because the human body thrives on energy and general accomplishment, both mental and physical, and to deny these things is going to result in lack of ambition and even depression. We were made to matter, and mattering requires movement.
Guys, you can all thank me later. For the time being, get out there and do something!
Photo credit: Getty Images