How To Get That Much-Needed Energy Boost!
Feeling low-energy, drained, and exhausted happens. Whether working overtime or dealing with heavy mental stress, the energy drain isn’t something to look forward to.
A low-grade energy drain is even more challenging to recognize than sudden energy drops or fatigue. If we have a low-grade energy drain, we might not feel the typical signs of exhaustion like achy muscles and feel tired all over. Instead, we experience an increase in the lack of desire, or the get-up-and-go, a lack of motivation.
Our concentration levels might drop, leaving us having a more difficult time concentrating on tasks. We seem to have a short fuse with limited patience, and we’re cranky. If this sounds familiar, you may be dealing with a low-grade energy drain and need a boost. Keep reading!
Top 5 Energy Boosters
Increase Magnesium Intake
Magnesium breaks down glucose and turns it into energy. You can eat a balanced diet and include foods rich in magnesium. If you’d instead take a supplement containing magnesium, that’s ok. If you eat a balanced diet and still find yourself feeling drained, your doctor might check for a deficiency in the mineral.
The recommended daily intake (RDI) of magnesium is about 300 milligrams for females and 350 milligrams for males. Almonds, cashews, and hazelnuts are excellent dietary options.
Don’t Skip Breakfast
They weren’t joking when they said that breakfastwas the mostimportantmral of the day. Breakfast provides us with the surge of fuel we need to set the tone for our day. Our body requires fuel from food the create energy. It’s believed that skipping breakfast or any meal during the day can lead to a greater feeling of overall fatigue by the end of the day.
More Whole Grains & Less Sugar
Keeping our blood sugar balanced helps keep our energy constant. Sweet sugary food gives us an initial spike in blood sugar, but it’s followed by a sudden, rapid drop in blood sugar. The well-known “crash and burn.” If the crash and burn happen enough throughout the day, by the evening, we feel exhausted.
Consuming more whole grains can help increase our bodies’ sensitivity to insulin, which allows a slow and steady release of energy rather than an unnecessary burst.
Power Snacking
Power snacking is far more than eating between meals if we do it right. Strategically choosing snacks that combine protein, a bit of healthy fat, and fiber is the ideal formula. Peanut butter on whole-wheat crackers, yogurt, and a handful of nuts or protein bars are excellent choices.
The trick is that the carbs provide a pick-me-up, protein keeps energy levels up, and the healthy fat causes the energy to last!
Get Your Thyroid Checked / Improve Thyroid Health
While this last tip won’t provide an instant energy boost, it may cause low energy. Anemia or thyroid dysfunction could be the cause of the problem.
If there is an issue with your thyroid, you and your doctor can discuss the options for repairing the problem and moving forward. They will provide information personalized to your levels and advise you on how to get an energy boost.
We all need an energy boost sometimes; knowing how to get healthy, long-lasting increases is highly beneficial.