Boost your Energy Naturally

June 19, 2024 | ProNatural Wellness Team

As the days get shorter, you may find your energy levels dropping, too. It doesn’t have to be that way! There are lots of ways to naturally boost your energy levels and stay focused.

Eating Healthy

Healthy eating is important year-round, but keeping your body functioning optimally with good nutrition is especially important for staying energized through the darker seasons. A balanced diet ensures you get a wide variety of nutrients.

  • Get the right combination of fats, carbs, and proteins. The National Institutes of Health recommend getting 10% to 35% of your calories from protein, 25% to 35% from fats, and 45% to 65% from carbs.
  • Unprocessed plant foods should make up the bulk of your diet.
  • Limit your intake of refined sugars and saturated fats.
  • Eat small, frequent meals to maintain a steady supply of energy throughout the day.
  • Be smart with caffeine. It can be very useful in moderation to energize you, but 1 to 2 cups per day is plenty. More than that can cause insomnia and health issues.
  • Limit your alcohol intake. The less, the better. Harvard Health recommends 1 drink or less per day for women, and 2 drinks or less per day for men.
  • Drink plenty of water. Your body can’t function efficiently without hydration.

Exercise regularly

You may associate exercise with feeling tired, but when you work out regularly, it actually boosts your energy levels. Getting your body into better shape helps it function optimally. Studies overwhelmingly show that regular exercise reduces fatigue. There are several reasons this happens:

  • When you exercise regularly, the body’s cells manufacture more mitochondria to keep up.  Mitochondria are essential in cellular energy production.
  • Exercise increases blood flow, which helps oxygen circulate throughout the body.
  • The body also produces more energy-boosting hormones during and after exercise.
  • Research shows that exercise directly impacts the nervous system, too. Even low-intensity exercise increases cognitive alertness and energy.
  • Feeling stressed can sap your energy, and exercise is an excellent stress reducer.

Supplements for energy

Getting the right vitamins and minerals improves function for all systems of the body. When it comes to energy, supplements that help with oxygen circulation, blood flow, and thyroid function can be particularly helpful. Please note that you should talk to a qualified healthcare professional before taking any new supplements.

  • Iron is one of the most important minerals to support blood flow and oxygen circulation. This is particularly important for people diagnosed with or at risk of anemia.
  • Vitamin B12 helps the cells build DNA and energy. Getting enough B12 helps increase your endurance.
  • Selenium helps the thyroid gland function. Getting the right amount of selenium helps reduce your risk of thyroid disorders, and may help improve certain thyroid issues.
  • Tyrosine facilitates the production of dopamine and norepinephrine, both of which are associated with balanced energy levels.

Again, it’s important to talk to a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to avoid interactions and get the correct dosage. ProNatural Health can help with this. Make an appointment to discuss supplements, as well as other lifestyle changes to improve energy levels. Give us a call at (860) 829-0707 or stop by our office at 1263 Berlin Turnpike Unit B in Berlin, CT.

Sources: NIH, MyPlate, USDA, Harvard Health, Blue Cross NC, Verywell Health