And not a coffee in sight.
Feeling a little ‘meh’ lately? Chances are it has nothing to do with the strength of your coffee and everything to do with your daily habits, which may leave you fighting constant fatigue. Tap into the power of these effective pick-me-ups for an instant boost of energy, minus the crash.
1. Antioxidants
We often push ourselves to the extent where we may end up functioning in overdrive, resulting in depletion of key antioxidants in our body. Antioxidants are vital for not only powering our cells, but mopping up ‘free radicals’, which wreak havoc on our bodies by causing inflammation. Supplementing with Ubiquinol, the active form of CoQ10 and a powerful antioxidant that is found naturally in the body, can help. Its role is to assist in powering the body’s overall energy levels as well as supporting the health of major organs, including the heart. If you’re experiencing feelings of fatigue, Ubiquinol or Coq10 supplements may help to support your natural energy levels to function at your prime.
2. Early exercise
Hitting the footpath in the morning will get your blood pumping through your body, which will help awaken your cells to generate energy. It’s also means your exercise is done for the day – and so you’re less likely to cancel your exercise plans (due to fatigue, exhaustion or other social commitments that pop up). It may take some time to set your body clock, but once you’re up, there are few distractions to start your workout. Exercising too close to down time may also impact how well you sleep as your body is still pumping blood and oxygen to your organs when it should be resting.
3. Nutrients
If you regularly have cravings for sweet foods, or find you have an energy slump after meals, you may need to balance your blood sugar levels. A low GI diet with protein can help, while nutrients and herbs such as chromium and cinnamon may also assist. Another great way to boost your energy can be supplementing in the form of superfoods. These are concentrated sources of natural foods rich in nutrients and a balance of beneficial phytochemicals that nature intended. These can attempt to make up for the lack of whole foods in your regular diet. Choose ingredients that are also rich in fibre and trace minerals, as these are also commonly lacking from the diet of many.
4. Matcha
Matcha is a special type of green tea with 137 times the antioxidants of regular green tea. It promotes improved memory, blood flow around the body and is naturally caffeinated, making it an awesome alternative to that third cup of coffee in the afternoon which is more likely to leave you experiencing an energy crash. Remember not to consume matcha within six hours of bedtime, to help ensure you get a good night’s sleep.
5. Sleep
A productive and good day starts with an even better night’s sleep. Chinese medicine has been enjoying the benefits of the Zizyphus seed for more than three centuries as a natural sleep-inducing sedative. Albizia can also soothe and calm your mind and body, aiding a good night’s sleep and helping to reduce fatigue – with the added benefit of reducing the signs of ageing (bonus!). These herbs combined encourage a peaceful sleep to ensure you’re waking up rested and ready to tackle anything your job may throw at you.
Consult your health practitioner before adding Ubiquinol or CoQ10 supplements to your diet.