Energy is an important part of feeling good. To feel energetic, it's important to get the body moving and eat the right nutrition to fuel the body. Coffee, energy drinks and other stimulants won’t solve the energy problem. In fact, these stimulants can lead to an energy crash. Habits that boost your energy are the way to go.

So, what are the important healthy habits you need to focus on to feel energized?

🥙 The foods you eat have a major impact on your energy level.
Eating foods that make you sluggish will zap your performance (greasy fried foods, high sugar snacks and drinks, salty processed snacks). Start the day with a balanced breakfast, and choose foods high in fiber and high quality carbs that provide lasting energy. Building meals with quality protein, fats and carbs make a huge impact on the body and mind’s performance.

NOTE: Highly processed foods in the diet may provide a short burst of energy, but lead to more cravings and sluggish habits later on.

🏋🏽 Having a workout routine will play a huge role in energy level.
Any form of physical activity done at home or the gym is great. Working out may cause short term fatigue, but will actually boost energy levels throughout the day. But, it's important to not overdo workouts. Aim for something manageable. A level of 3-5x a week for 30 mins is a great start. Be aware of other ways to stay active, such as house chores, taking the stairs, parking a distance from the entrance to buildings and taking walks at breaks.

💧 Water is essential to everyday life, but most people are not properly hydrating throughout the day. Dehydration leads to fatigue. Monitoring how much water you are drinking each day is an important, healthy. Observe the urine color, as an indicator for hydration. Ideal color is a pale yellow or almost clear. Carrying a water cup/bottle around throughout the day encourages hydration.

💤 Understand the importance of sleep.
Studies show that just increasing sleep by 1 hour each day can dramatically improve your energy levels. Sleep has a profound effect on your hormone levels, so it's important to prioritize your sleep. Cutting down on meaningless activity before bed can provide that extra hour of sleep. Reducing blue light 2 hours before bedtime helps introduce sleep more quickly and improve the quality of sleep.

NOTE: Avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages at least 4 hours before bed.

​

​