Elevate Your Energy: Natural Ways To Boost Vitality |

What is energy?

Energy is defined as “the strength and vitality required to be active.” In today’s fast-paced world, we tend to have energy slumps as we have “so much to do and so little time.” We are running around from one activity/task to another, like the hands of the clock, always on the move! It is natural, that we feel less energetic and slow down.

How to boost energy?

The question is how to get the adrenalin flowing once again. Any guesses? it is not in the prescription energy boosters but in yourself! Yes, correct – YOU!! Just keep in mind a few tricks of the trade, and you will feel those energy levels rising in no time. Of course, this formula can be followed by anyone but it must be followed religiously, without fail, and in a disciplined manner. Yes, what you gotta do, you gotta do! No procrastinating, mind you!

Life is like a dice board. There are the same essential things to keep in mind for a better and more productive life, like the roll of the dice – mental wellness, physical wellness, spiritual wellness, and its allied activities. Let us see how the dice roll and how we can increase our energy levels naturally!!

Reliable ways to boost energy:

Spiritual Wellness

Indulge in Meditation, prayer, and chanting, and do one good deed daily – however small it is, (like smiling at a stranger, giving your seat to an elder on the bus/train, helping a lady carry her luggage, interpreting the conversation between the cab driver and a foreign tourist, say ‘please’, ‘thank you’ and such to your house-help/staff, pick up an errant plastic bottle lying in the bus/lift and toss it in the dustbin, etc. and soon you will begin feeling better and happier. Check the list in your mind “Today’s good deed done”!). Being happier will increase your spirits and you will feel all charged up.

Physical Wellness

According to Science, if we exercise when our energy levels are low, we feel the dopamine levels kicking in our brain which gives our cells more energy to burn and also increases blood circulation. And we are in a much better mood as we occasionally increase our pacing, which brings a smile to our faces. So begin walking, jogging, trekking, cycling, swimming, or any other physical activity to boost energy, as Vitamin D increases dopamine levels.

Mental wellness

Some emotions drain most of our energy like anger, stress, anxiety, and gloom. The best way to maintain the energy levels is to control these negative emotions by practising meditation, mindfulness, positive self-talk, effectively communicating and sharing our feelings and thoughts with family, friends, support groups, and medical practitioners, indulging in calming and relaxation techniques like breathing exercises, diverting our mind with some other thought/activity, listening to music, laughing (remember the scenes of Boman Irani in the film Munnabhai MBBS when he is laughing because he is so angry?), singing, dancing, engaging in hobbies, learning something new, talking and getting the feelings out of your system, Journaling, taking some time to sit peacefully and calm those thoughts, spending time with your pet (those wet and sloppy licks will make your energy levels rise in no time), playing with your children, are some of the ways to reduce the negative and energy sapping emotions. This aids in energising you mentally which leads to physical wellness too.

Factors that affect energy levels:

Overload

Most of the stress is caused by overload, when we take up too much responsibility in terms of work or at home, thereby being unable to meet the deadline or complete the chores. Take on less load and delegate the simple things that need to be done, saving the complex ones for yourself. Maintain a disciplined approach and list out/prioritize what activity deserves which level of focus. This approach aids in lessening the load and paves the way for clear thinking which is focused on effectively completing the task/s on hand. So the work will be done on time, every time!

Smoking

Smoking is a health hazard, as we all know. It also causes insomnia and it is difficult to fall asleep as our brain waves are stimulated, our blood pressure rises and heartbeats begin racing with the effect of the nicotine present in tobacco. Smoking addiction can also give rise to cigarette cravings, which is not at all a good sign. So the best thing is to avoid or slowly reduce the number of smokes. Better to stop it ourselves than to get stuck in rehab or become a member of some smoking anonymous group to kick the butt.

Sleeping pattern

Ensure that you get enough sleep so that you wake up feeling fresh and energized in the morning. Maintain a bedtime schedule and ritual. Wash your face, take a warm bath, do some stretching, drink warm milk, read a few pages of a book, no digital media before sleeping, use comfortable pillows, keep the room darkened (because light will distract you from sleeping), use an aromatic diffuser for sweet fragrances that will lull you to sleep, say a prayer, close your eyes and focus on sleeping without thinking of the day that is gone or the on that is yet to come. It is difficult at first, but with practice, you will get the knack. On the other hand, if you have insomnia, try sleeping less during the daytime. To do so, first stop taking naps in the day. Next, go to bed later than you normally do and sleep for just four hours. If you slept better, then add 15-30 minutes to the for hours and go on increasing sleep time until you can sleep soundly and awaken feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day!

Healthy food/beverages

Food plays a very important role in our energy levels. Foods that are low in glycemic index(GI) levels absorb sugars slowly aid in avoiding the energy slump immediately after eating food that absorbs sugars fast or refined starches. So stock up your pantry with foods like whole grains, high-fibre vegetables/fruits, nuts, and olive oil by avoiding sugary, starchy, spicy, and oily foods that have a high GI content. Better to eat healthy! A cuppa coffee contains caffeine that helps kickstart your day with high energy levels. The only catch is that it should be consumed moderately and not after 2 p.m. as it causes insomnia. Also, alcohol intake should be limited to the minimum. Being a health hazard, the addiction leads to an unhealthy liver and the sedative content is an all-time energy downer. Water is the best choice in terms of energy-enhancing beverages. So drink up the water and feel the energy pangs disappear! After all, 70% of our bodies are made of water. Also, it washes out the toxins thereby making us healthier too. So, water it is!

Socializing

Meeting your friends for a coffee after a hard day’s work, or just like that, is a good way to boost those energy levels and unwind. You feel more relaxed in their company. If you are unable to meet, a good conversation on the phone will also do! The idea here is to connect with someone you are comfortable with and laugh a few silly laughs and feel good.

Gratitude

Expressing gratitude is another way to feel good about yourself. In a Journal, write a couple of things that occurred during the day that made you happy, and three things that you are thankful for. This expression of gratitude reduces inflammation/stress by lowering cortisol levels and stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, reduces loneliness, increases serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin (happy hormones), and helps in sleeping better at bedtime (the routine as set by you). All in all, a win-win situation.

Conclusion

Feeling energetic makes us more enthusiastic and ready to take on the world head-on! It instils a sense of purpose in us and increases our self-confidence and self-worth. Our thought processes become more positive and we attract positive vibes and people. The numerous physical and psychological benefits are mentioned above. These are some of the natural factors that maintain our energy levels and they are so easy, even a child can do them. That reminds me, that we should also teach our children the secret to maintain their energy levels. After all, it is the youth who will take our legacy forward.