Need more energy?
It seems like everyone you talk to now complains of feeling tired. There is no one cause of lack of energy, and many environmental, dietary, and medical factors may be to blame. Don’t look to a quick fix. You probably have an underlying condition which should be addressed in a natural way. Here are the Do’s and Don’ts for improving your energy.
DO: Remember to take a high quality multi-vitamin every day. Taking the average one per day vitamin will usually have no noticeable benefit. We recommend a pharmaceutical grade quality multi-vitamin whose ingredient quality is guaranteed by the company.
DON’T: Waste your money on quick fix energy pills at the gas station. They are typically low quality that will leave you feeling jittery. You also should not be trying to stay awake for additional hours on coffee or artificial energy drink stimulants.
DO: Drink plenty of purified water. In order to determine the amount of water you should drink daily, divide your body weight in pounds by two. This equals the amount of water you should drink in ounces per day. For example, a 150 pound man should drink 75 ounces of purified water per day. *This is a general rule of thumb, and on hot days and especially for athletes, this is not enough water. Very often electrolyte drinks are needed, in addition to extra water.
DO: Get outside and enjoy the sunshine.
This might sound corny, but sometimes nature is the best medicine. We are surrounded by toxins everywhere all zapping our energy, especially in metro areas. So taking time to find a clear sky, trees, and grass is important to reconnect with nature. You do not have to lie out all day and bake in the sun. (Nor should you) But just a small time in the sunshine each day can do a lot to brighten your spirits. If you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder you especially should be taking advantage of the longer hours of light. Break up your inside routine and go read a book at the beach, or go to the park. (You are never too old to play on the swings!) Get out of your car, walk away from your computer, shut off your cell phone, and let the outdoors recharge your batteries!
DON’T: Blame the weather for your lack of exercise.
You hear us say this all the time: Incorporating daily exercise is one of the best ways to increase your energy. We heard people tell us all winter that it was too cold to start. But now summer is here and so is the heat. Now the complaints have been coming in about how it is too hot to exercise. If it is too hot outside to engage in activities such as running or biking, stay in the air conditioning and workout to a video. You have to start something, be it summer or winter!
DO: Talk to your doctor about having low energy!
If you suffer with low energy, it is likely not going to be reversed just by starting a pill. We very often see people who are told they are just “depressed” or “stressed out.” Taking a pill will do nothing at reversing the root cause of the problem. We see hundreds of patients every month who are self medicating with herbs from the local health food store and getting nowhere. It is no wonder why their friends think the stuff is snake oil. If you are trying to self medicate with herbs, you could be doing yourself a great disservice. You may have low hormone levels, causing you to feel tired, weak, or have a low stress tolerance. In the long run, having a few tests for your hormone levels (and checking your diet type) will seem like pennies compared to the amount of life you could be missing out on when you feel so run down. Don’t waste another summer. Take the time to talk with a doctor who understands you and wants to get to the root cause of your lack of energy.
DON’T: Allow yourself too many of the summer indulgences.
Having an occasional small ice cream cone or a hot dog at the ball park is one thing. Making these your summer menu, helped down the gullet with a quart of lemonade is definitely another. Summertime should not be the excuse for an endless buffet of junk food. But most barbeques seem to look that way. If you want more energy, eat foods that give you energy instead of ones that zap it away. Buy the freshest foods that you can find. This includes eating the fresh, organic produce from the farmer’s markets. Make a big salad with dinner every night and add berries, nuts, and legumes for a change. Get rid of your “preservative-laden” foods, such as your grilling meats and replace with “organic, preservative-free.” If you are looking for a sweet treat, eat whole fruit, or if you need a sweet treat, make something with real sugar. Don’t opt for the “sugar-free” stuff. Just watch your portions and eat the real thing!
DO: Eat according to your diet type!
For so many of our readers who are on one of the Hauser Diets, you have made progress through the winter and spring with eating according to your diet type. Keep it up through the summer! For those who are unsure of how you should be eating to optimize your energy, give us a call!
Happy 4th of July!
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