By Staff
Sluggish, worn out, tired, no energy? Does this ring a bell to any of you? I am sure that many of us feel this way on a regular basis. "How do I fight that sluggish feeling?" is a question that I am asked over and over again. In the past I wrote an article pertaining to this very question. Since this is a very common question I will share a few tricks to help against this wiped out feeling.
Take 15 minutes – The energy shortage most people feel comes from our hectic schedules. It could be an unexpected call from your child's school that your child is sick, a new demand from your boss, unexpected company, loss of sleep, etc … The body responds by producing a "brief, energizing fight-or-flight hormone called cortisol." Your heart rate and blood pressure launch and in result your immune system takes a hit. Take 15 minutes to recuperate. Take a walk, sit in a dark room with your eyes closed and just breathe.
Water – Yes I have preached this before, but it can really help. Once again if you are dehydrated; you are going to feel tired out. Try to get 6 to 8 glasses of water per day, you may see a big difference in the way your body feels. Remember to keep hydrated because once you feel thirsty, you're already dehydrated.
Food – overeating can definitely add to tiredness. Especially with the majority of us are eating out more than cooking healthy at home. The greasy, sugary, salty foods will only help with the sluggish feeling. Try packing lunches and setting out foods to cook in the evening. Make time to cook healthy and watch your portions. The healthier you eat and the more water you drink, the better you will probably feel. It is your health!
Sleep – Something all of us lack. The average woman needs at least eight hours of sleep to function at capacity. Some people even need up to 10 hours. With this also comes the notion of quality of sleep. You can lie in bed for eight hours but if you are not getting uninterrupted sleep, you will be tired the next day. When lying in bed if you cannot sleep try to block out your distractions. A good way to help you sleep better at night is to exercise during the day.
Exercise – Get your blood flowing and wake up with a good workout. Exercising may help boost your energy level. It can help you to zap away your sluggishness.
Low iron levels – About 12 percent of American women have an iron deficiency (anemia), which can leave you feeling drowsy. Iron-rich foods such as meat, beans, and cereals can help keep your iron level high.
Medications – Many medications can contribute to the tired feeling that we get. If this becomes a problem for you, you may want to consult your doctor.
Depression – Even the mildest forms of depression and anxiety are associated with low levels of serotonin, a chemical in the brain, which can affect your energy and moods. If you do feel depressed it may be a good idea to have help.
Be Optimistic – Surprisingly or not, people who are optimistic have more energy than people who are pessimistic. When you are happy and your energy rises, your tension will lower. Try such tricks as: do not complain – if your boss upsets you instead of complaining think of what you can do to make the situation positive. Even small changes may help like being upbeat and speaking positively.
Get some sunshine – Those summer months are almost gone and sunshine will be limited, so when the sun peaks out, go and take advantage of it!
Positive – Stay around positive people. We all can not stand those people who are just as busy as us but still have the energy of a five-year-old. It can be contagious, so hang out with them.
Amy McKean is the adult programs director of the Niles-Buchanan YMCA. She can be reached at AMcKean23@nb-ymca.org