Do you ever get “that” feeling?
That you do not want to get out of bed. That you would rather curl up on the sofa and watch trash TV. That you are knackered?
Or, is it just me?
I reckon that since I have been peri-menopausal, the fatigue at times sets in and I certainly do not feel full of beans. What I have learnt though, is to listen to my body and rest when I need to. Some women have said that they avoid napping in the afternoon because they are not sleeping at night. Why not? What is obvious to me is that if you are not sleeping at night, grab a nap when you can.
I am also more aware of how I am treating myself because I do believe that where I am in life and what I am experiencing is the byproduct of what I have sown in the past. What I have been fuelling my body with, the books I have read, the people I hang out with. We are where we are because of our actions. So if that is the case, then we should consider every moment, what we are doing. I alway remember my yoga teacher saying that he was taught that yoga teaches you how to life with foresight, rather than hindsight.
You can create the health, vitality, and happiness you desire and deserve. Here are six powerful tips will help you stay energised and all day long.
- Go Outside: Natural sunlight signals to your brain that it’s daytime. It also stimulates vitamin D production, which is essential for healthy immune function, mental health, and hormonal health. So, get outside first thing when you wake. Go for a walk outdoors, and if that does not appeal to you, simply stepping outside, breathing in the fresh air and stretching out can wake up your cells.
- Break fast with a Protein Smoothie: Smoothies are nutrient dense, yet easy to absorb and digest. They bring you sustained energy for the morning, without sending you on a blood sugar rollercoaster and making you reach for an unhealthy snack. Personally, I have a vitamin and mineral fortified vegan protein blend. For extra nutrients, toss some organic frozen fruits and greens into your protein smoothie. You can even supercharge your smoothie by adding a scoop of greens.
- Skip Coffee: Coffee may give you an instant and temporary buzz, however, in the long run it is not a good source of energy. The energy you get from coffee is not long-lasting and leads to crashing, fatigue, and coffee or sugar cravings for another quick fix. Because caffeine is a stimulant, you can develop an addiction and become dependent on coffee. As you develop a tolerance, your body will crave more coffee to experience the same energy boost. Coffee can also increase your stress hormones, which can contribute to fatigue, inflammation, and disease. I prefer to have a vitamin B drink instead.
- Eat a Nutrient-Dense Lunch and Dinner: Food is medicine. Avoid foods that are inflammatory, and instead focus on nutrient-dense fuel. Inflammatory foods have no place in your diet as they contribute to inflammation, leaky gut, autoimmunity, and other chronic health issues. Increase your intake of vegetables and fruits. Foods to exclude or reduce in your daily consumption include:
- Processed and refined sugar
- Processed food, junk food, and fast food
- Trans and hydrogenated fats
- Artificial sweeteners
- Additives, preservatives, dyes
- Alcohol
- GMOs
- Gluten
- Dairy
- Eggs
- Get a Good Night’s Sleep: Getting a good night’s sleep is absolutely necessary in order to have the energy you need throughout the day. I recommend getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night for adults. Go to bed at the same time and wake up at the same time every day. Following a similar routine each evening will signal to your brain that you are preparing for sleep.
Our yoga practice this month is all about being energised, so if you can get along to one of our teachers around the country, give it a go.
It is all about enabling yourself to create the energy you desire in your life.
