As women, we spend our lives in the constant pursuit of balance — and the resulting struggle to meet the demands of career and family can be exhausting. If we aren't careful, our energy levels can easily become depleted. Feeling tired, sluggish, and unproductive? Check out these five energy-boosting tricks that can get you back on track today!
1. Take a Break
Low energy levels are often the result of simply being overworked. If you have the option, take a vacation day! Spend the entire day relaxing, doing whatever you want to do. Don't have the luxury of taking a mini-vacation? Look for ways to build small breaks into your daily routine. Closing your eyes, clearing your mind, and breathing deeply for even 3-5 minutes can help you regain your focus and productivity.
2. Address Sources of Stress and Anxiety on a Routine Basis
Mental stress can easily drain your physical energy. Instead of ignoring stressful situations and relationships, address these issues immediately and then move on. Once you've eliminated unpleasant thoughts from your mind, you'll feel more relaxed and be able to focus more clearly on important tasks at hand.
If the stress and anxiety in your life is unavoidable, look for ways to minimize it. Exercise, meditation, massage, and aromatherapy have all been proven to reduce stress and boost energy. The simple act of smelling lavender is thought to increase your alertness, and studies have shown that massage can reduce levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, in the body.
3. Don't Underestimate the Power of Good Nutrition
Sodas, candy bars, and that bottomless cup of coffee may give you a quick jolt of energy, but they can all make you feel worse in the long run. Focus instead on consuming whole grains and complex carbohydrates that are high in protein and fiber and low on the glycemic index in order to keep your energy levels steady throughout the day.
For a quick pick-me-up, a handful of nuts makes a great snack. Cashews, almonds, and hazelnuts are especially high in magnesium, a mineral that boosts your metabolism and helps you feel more energetic. Also make sure that you are drinking at least eight glasses of water every day. If you aren't, the cause of your fatigue may be simple dehydration.
4. Use Supplements
When you find yourself feeling tired and lethargic on a routine basis, consider having a blood test done to determine if your thyroid is functioning properly, or if you have a vitamin deficiency. You might also consider taking a vitamin supplement, which can boost your energy significantly.
Liquid vitamins, such as the Passion 4 Life brand recently featured on Lifetime Television's The Balancing Act, are said to be more easily absorbed into your system than those in pill form, and they are definitely easier to take as well. Adding a capful of a supplement like Passion 4 Life to your morning orange juice or smoothie is a great way to boost your energy — and to sneak vitamins into your kids as well!
5. Find Your Purpose and Live Your Passion
Passion is key when it comes to feeling energetic and enthusiastic, and it's never too late to find yours. Enroll in a class, find a hobby, or even change careers — it doesn't matter what you do, but it does matter that you enjoy doing it. When you're working towards meaningful goals and fulfilling a purpose that is truly important to you, you're more likely to find the energy to make things happen!
Disclosure: I received a complimentary sample of Passion 4 Life liquid vitamins for the purpose of review.
