Maintaining Energy
Mar 5th, 2007 by Susan
Put some energy into maintaining it
When we’re feeling tired and stressed, it’s easy to reach for a “quick fix” - strong coffee in the morning, chocolate in the middle of the afternoon, a caffeine-based energy drink to keep us powering through the night.
There’s no doubt these provide the immediate perception of a lift, but they don’t help the body deal with the underlying cause of energy deprivation. The key to proper management of stress-related fatigue is about providing the nervous and adrenal system support that enables the body to deal with fatigue.
Eating for energy
When you consider the rapidly expanding of special “energy” foods and drinks in our supermarkets, you would think we should be bursting with energy. Yet the reverse is true. That’s because most “energy” foods and drinks rely on sugar or caffeine to give our bodies a quick boost. Real, long-lasting energy comes from simpler (less enticingly packaged) foods.
Try to eat regular meals comprised of fresh fruit and vegetables, wholegrain breads and cereals, brown rice, beans, fish, lean meat and eggs. B complex vitamins are necessary to metabolize food into energy and to help the adrenal system to function properly. A multivitamin and mineral supplement is also useful in delivering the many essential vitamins and minerals we require daily.
A good night’s sleep
There’s nothing like deep, restful sleep to help your body recover from one day and prepare for the next. However, that’s easier said than done when your mind is racing at a million miles an hour. There are a number of herbs that act as natural sedatives. They include skullcap, valerian, passion flower and hops.
Exercise for stamina
“You don’t stop playing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop playing.”
It might seem strange, but exercise can actually give you more energy and consequently relieve stress. Even if you are not the athletic type, try to walk for 30 minutes a day at least three to four times a week (take the stairs instead of the lift, or get off the bus a stop before you need to). You will notice a big difference in the way you feel after just a few weeks.
