Energy!!!

by Jon Fiume
May 1, 2007

Ahhh ENERGY... such an ambiguous word. Similar to the word STRESS. It appears that we can never have enough of one and we always have too much of the other. However, both words are used quite often when asked the infamous question "How are you?"

But given a choice we believe that most people would love to have more energy. Think about it, who wouldn't? Having more energy allows you to take on more and deal with the stress that is coming at you throughout the course of a day. So how do we get more of it?

The basics. Yes it all goes back to the basics. That is getting enough rest, eating right, exercise, and taking the right supplements. How well we know the basics because they are practically applicable in all approaches to one's wellness and healthcare.

Certainly you are aware that it is highly recommended to sleep at least 8 hours a night. Do you receive that? Or only on the weekends when your awakening hour approaches the 12:00 noon mark? Receiving enough rest during the week will certainly play out in sustained and increased energy. Have you ever awakened in the morning after a good nights rest and found yourself with a fresh outlook on your day and an attitude that says "it's yours?" Make an appropriate effort to receive enough rest. Plan ahead and know the time of which you are going to bed so that your day and tasks do not drive you and gobble up those precious hours of rest.

Does the food that you eat drain your energy supply? Have you ever found yourself drained nutritionally and the world around you is just a glazed-over fog? Not a good place of which to be "on" that is for sure! Examine how you eat and when. Consider healthy sources of protein which help to increase alertness as well as complex carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates such as highly refined sugars provide us with an energetic moment but drop us like a hot potato. And speaking of potatoes, do not neglect the importance of veggies in your life. Steamed, raw, and juiced they all add to a nutritional sound diet connected to providing your body with more energy.

Exercise the body and exercise the mind. Both increase energy and pay off on other health benefits as well. Studies have proven that those people that engage in physical exercise often benefit with increased energy throughout their day. Not only that, but they feel mentally well due to the wonderful little hormones called endorphins. Yet there are other benefits of exercise as well. Consider the fact that you simply feel better about yourself. And that feeling lends itself to increased confidence and an energetic attitude throughout your day.

Supplements are certainly not a quick fix to increase energy but they certainly can compliment the energy benefits of receiving enough rest, eating right, and exercising. Consider the first place to start... a simple multivitamin. A multivitamin allows for us to gain additional nutrients that we may not be receiving from our diet, even a healthy one! The B vitamins found in multivitamins supports our nerves thereby providing our body additional nutrients to tackle the stress that we encounter each day.

Another consideration is the ever popular essential fatty acids. EFA's as they are commonly known provide the body with energy by giving the body the good fat that it needs. This good fat allows the body to run more efficiently not to mention that it helps to increase the ability to focus as well as support heart health. The most popular EFA's are omega 3's. Omega 3's are commonly found in fish oils but can be found in flaxseed oil as well.

Herbally, there are many energy considerations the most popular of which is green tea. For centuries green tea has been touted as the friend of the chi supporting the "life force" of the body. It contains antioxidant properties and thermogenic properties without making the body feel that it is shooting to the moon! Green tea contains half the amount of caffeine as coffee and is also available in caffeine free for those that are sensitive. Sip it or take it in a capsule form you cannot go wrong!

Spring is upon us so let's gear up energy wise and enjoy the upcoming summer!

This information is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to take the place of your current healthcare program or advice from you healthcare professionals.