Do you sometimes feel like an energizer bunny with a weak battery? You start out strong, but by midday you begin to flag.
We all get drained on occasion, but fatigue becomes more common as we age. Assuming your doctor has ruled out medical causes of persistent fatigue, there are a number of basic steps you’ll be able to take to feel more energetic every day.
Consider these strategies to get probably the most mileage out of your battery:
- Pace yourself. Instead of burning through your entire battery life in two hours, spread it out between morning chores, afternoon chores, and evening activities—between resting and eating.
- Take a walk or nap. A brief power nap can restore energy, but when you struggle to get enough sleep at night, a nap could make insomnia worse. Instead of taking politics, move forward. Get up and take a walk across the block, or simply loaf around. If you are not an insomniac, nonetheless, enjoy this 20- to 30-minute power nap.
- Skip most supplements. There is not any evidence that energy-boosting or “anti-aging” supplements work. In particular:
- DHEA There is totally no evidence that DHEA provides any profit. And you especially shouldn’t buy it from ads behind magazines, because you do not know what’s in it.
- Iron is barely useful when you are clearly deficient, which a physician can check with a blood test. Unless you might be low in iron, you need not take it, and taking an excessive amount of iron will be harmful.
- Vitamin B. It is true that vitamin B (B1B2B6B12) helps the body convert food into energy that cells can burn, however it’s a myth that taking too many B vitamins supercharges your cells.
- Eat long-lasting fuel. Your body burns sugar and highly processed carbohydrates, resembling white bread, white rice, or baked goods, faster than carbohydrates present in protein and whole grains. Instead, try yogurt with nuts, raisins and a sprinkle of honey. Your body will absorb the carb-fiber-protein mix slowly. To really sustain yourself through the day, eat breakfast and lunch that include complex carbohydrates and protein.
- Don’t skip meals. It’s best to space out your meals evenly in order that your body gets the nutrients it needs throughout the day.