BOOST YOUR ENERGY

Spring is the time of the year where we feel we are coming out of the winter slump and are starting to feel slightly more energised and perhaps more alive. The lighter evenings will make us feel like we have more time available and activities that take place in the evening will feel easier to do because our bodies still feel awake as we are not travelling home in the dark.
However if you still find you still need 3 cups of coffee to get you going in the morning and you feel mid-afternoon that you are struggling to get those work tasks completed and need a chocolate bar or a cigarette then it may still be that you need an energy boost.
It may be that you need to slightly adjust your diet or include some supplements or even add some simple exercises to your daily routine. The things that can sap your energy levels are lack of sleep, illness or infection and eating a diet of processed, fatty foods with low nutritional value. Regular late nights combined with smoking and drinking alcohol will make your body become toxic and it will struggle to fight off illnesses.

ENERGY ROBBERS

Convenience foods, white bread, cakes pizza, pasta can make you feel initially full of energy as they raise blood sugar levels and then there is a dramatic drop of these levels causing feelings of lethargy and tiredness. This can also be accompanied by headaches, bloating and even change of mood. Salt will tire out the digestive system. Fizzy drinks have artificial sweeteners, which make you crave sugar. Alcohol and caffeine in large amounts will drain your body and mind and will overstimulate the body and can cause unrestful interrupted sleep. Lack of oxygen into the body can cause the tissues, muscles and brain to feel tired.

ENERGY HELPERS

Replace white cakes breads and pastas with wholemeal or wholegrains and this will help the blood sugar levels to be more stable and give a more prolonged release of energy. These, along with, Quinoa (a South American fruit grain) give B vitamins, which are essential for energy and mood enhancement. Quinoa can be added to salads and soups. Rye breads and oatcakes are good energy giving snacks.
Instead of too much tea and caffeine based drinks, replace with herbal varieties. These can help aid your digestion. Also include drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day.

SUPPLEMENTS

Vitamin B6 is essential for energy metabolism, B12 will help form the red blood cells that carry oxygen around the body. B group vitamins are in wholegrains, bchicken, fish, eggs, dairy produce and red meat. A B complex supplement will contain the right amounts that the body needs on a daily basis. Vitamin C can help keep the immune system strong and boost energy levels. Minerals such as magnesium, which works with potassium and sodium, ensures muscles work efficiently.
Herbal alternatives such as Ginseng and Astragalus, which is a potent herbal energy tonic, can help anyone with chronic fatigue, but it is advisable to consult a doctor to check that there is no underlying cause for your lack of energy or constant fatigue.
It is worth trying to exercise regularly (3-5 x 30 mins per week) even when you feel slightly tired as it will boost energy levels, release feel-good endorphins in the brain and will pump more oxygen enriched blood to the brain and around the body.
Massage will also give a similar effect to the body as an exercise session by increasing blood flow around the body but will also make the muscles feel less tense.

If you are unsure of your nutritional status or feel you need extra advice then consult either your doctor or a qualified nutritionist.