I recently rolled back into town after a very long and worthwhile road trip. There were many stops, many days and MANY reminders of both the literal landscape of the 'heartland of this country' (aka: the mid-west) and also the landscape of 'America's health'. I could write pages and pages about this topic -- but for now I will keep it to just one piece that is present throughout: ENERGY! Why? Everything is made out of energy. Scientific fact: Even inanimate objects have it, how else would a light bulb work? Another scientific fact: Your heart puts out more energy than any other organ. Your heart is so generous it gives all the energy to other functions of the body and keeps only 5% for itself, (Aww so nice)! This topic comes up a lot with my clients and in life of course...
ENERGY: we have it, don't have it, or need more of it. We want to know how to best use it, how to unwind it and how to recharge it. Wow! The good news is that your body naturally knows how to create energy on it's own-- but of course we usually find a way to screw that up! The imbalance of many things [staying up too late, overriding our natural circadian rhythm, not sleeping well, eating poorly, drinking too much, dehydration, over-caffeination, over-exercising or not moving at all] interrupt our "energy flow" in some way or another.
I am highly aware of how people, seasons and travel impact my energy -- as well as, the heat or cold, more light, less light and various other factors. So I'll cut to the chase-- I'm including a list of ways you can increase your energy.
A few top tips and tricks to increase your energy and feel groovy!
Everything on this list has a big potential impact on your health and wellbeing. What's on this list is worthwhile and most noticeable when done with consistency!!
Firstly: Gratitude practice – You’ve probably heard people recommending to practice gratitude, and that’s because it really works. Regularly spending time thinking about things you are grateful for in your life has the power to improve your outlook and relationships. That's a fact! Start by writing 5-10 things you're grateful for every day for 30 days. This can create a huge impact on your life -- let me know how it feels! I have resisted this at times but believe me when I say -- It works!
Meditation. This helps your energy (and everything else). There is a reason it has been around for a VERY long time. It is -- and has been -- one I have come to know and love over many years. It's been shown to reduce inflammation, boost immune cell count, reduce immune cell aging, and even influence gene expression. If you need help with where to start, or you think you've tried and just can't do it, then let me know and I'll be sure to post more resources on how to make it EASIER than you might think, I promise!!
Work on improving your body’s insulin sensitivity. Insulin sensitivity helps with sugar crashes (or getting hangry), reduces risk of disease, clears skin, fights cognitive decline, and is one of the best markers of overall health. There are numerous ways to increase insulin sensitivity such as; eliminate/reduce refined white sugars, increase healthy fats, find daily movement that works for you and your body type (not necessarily the latest fad), and improve your sleep. Eating certain gut healing foods like fiber, fermented foods, organic herbs and spices, ginger, turmeric, green tea (to name a few), work by healing the gut and improving absorption along with reducing sugar in the blood.
Make sure you’re getting enough magnesium and other nutrients. When was the last time you had your blood levels checked for optimal levels? Your body needs enough magnesium for insulin signaling and many other functions! The QUALITY of the magnesium you take matters, so be sure to let me know what you are taking. Other supplements that improve insulin sensitivity include: Chromium, zinc, berberine (my favorite) and resveratrol.
Sweating. Yes, the real deal. Sweating is an important detox pathway and it can even help your body flush heavy metals. You can sweat more by exercising or by using a sauna. I love using the infrared sauna -- you get the awesome sweat of a sauna with the therapeutic benefits of the infrared light. Did you know that tears are also detoxifying? Yes, a good cry is healthy release!
Quality of sleep. You probably already knew it’s good to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep, but it’s equally important to get high quality sleep. There is a process by which your body clears neurotoxins from the brain. Deep sleep is necessary and cleansing for your brain! I think it's imperative to treat your bedroom like a sanctuary! Keep the lights low and leave technology and tv out. Let me know if you need advice for diffusers or high quality essential oils. I can recommend you some of my favorites!
Vitamin D – Which is actually more like a hormone in the body. Nearly every tissue in your body has receptors for vitamin D and utilizes it for vital processes. Vitamin D helps with energy levels, fights disease, and reduces depression. Not only is adding a vitamin D supplement a good idea -- but also ensuring you get enough sunlight as well. Especially during the peak of summer and from 12-2pm on bare skin for at least 15 minutes.
Omega 3 – Healthy fats are essential for healthy brain energy and function and Omega 3s are one of the best! High quality fish oils contain EPA and DHA, which are anti-inflammatory and protect the cell’s DNA from damage. Which are you taking?
Blue light blockers. Nerd alert: I recently started using Blue light blockers because I have a really hard time looking at screens for long. Blue blockers are glasses that protect your eyes from blue wavelengths from screens and other artificial light sources. They can help regulate circadian rhythms which can improve your sleep and increase your energy levels. When I travel I now always use these on the airplane, which also helps with jet lag!! With all the added screen time in our life, they are an excellent choice. I ordered Swannies which block about 90% of blue light from screens.
Good quality water! Don't underestimate the impact of GOOD HYDRATION on the body and your energy! Not only is your body mostly made of water, it’s an important element that every system needs to run smoothly. It’s important to have high quality building blocks for your body, which is why I believe having clean water is one of the best things you can do for your health and energy.
Taking a day to relax with friends, celebrating with good nourishing food and spending time playing outside can also recharge your energy!! How do YOU like to boost, recharge, or unwind your energy?
Are you feeling stuck in an unhealthy relationship? Are you in a challenging food cycle or in a negative mindset that is holding you back from living your fullest, most energetically aligned life? I'd love to know how I can help!
