Over time you have likely heard of many vitamins, supplements, and herbs that increase your energy levels. However, often there is little scientific evidence to prove that they truly work. Luckily, there are different ways you can boost your energy that don’t include supplementing and only require a few simple lifestyle changes. There may be some growing pains at first but finding healthy ways to boost your energy today can provide you with a better quality of life in the future. 

• Limit Screen Use 

There are two main reasons why heavy screen use can deplete your energy supply, (1) Computer Vision Syndrome and (2) Decreased Melatonin Production. 

Whether it’s for work or play, excessively staring at screens can strain your eyes and cause computer vision syndrome. This condition has been known to cause headaches, fatigue, and sluggishness. The combination of over interaction, close proximity, and the brightness and blue light emitted from screens is what causes eye pain. 

Melatonin is known as the “sleep hormone” since it’s produced at night and plays a big role in your body’s internal clock. Digital screens, however, produce blue light, which is a short wavelength light that has been known to reduce melatonin levels. Research has shown that only two hours of blue light interaction can significantly decrease melatonin production, which can lead to lack of sleep, fatigue, and lack of energy. 

To combat these main drivers of energy depletion, you should take breaks from electronic devices throughout your day, especially before bed. However, we live in a technological age and it isn’t always possible to avoid screens long term. If that is the case for you, you might consider wearing non-prescription blue light glasses when engaging with screens. Blue light glasses have the ability to shield your eyes from the harmful effects of blue light wavelengths using specially treated lenses with anti-glare technology. Limiting blue light exposure on your eyes can help you feel more energized and allow you to produce healthy melatonin levels. 

• Lighten Your Workload 

When people feel overworked, whether it be professionally, domestically, or socially, they can become fatigued and see a decrease in energy over time as they try to keep up. In this case, it’s important to schedule out your days or weeks. Make a list of your “to-dos” and their deadlines. By doing so you are allowing yourself to defer tasks that aren’t as pressing to complete later on. Knowing that they aren’t due but have time scheduled for completion later in the day or week can make you feel less stressed or overwhelmed—you know you will complete everything you need to on time because you planned it out ahead. 

If you do this and still feel overwhelmed by endless tasks, it might be time to delegate. No one can accomplish everything on their own and that’s okay! Use your resources to your advantage, lean on your teammates at work, your family at home, and ask friends or significant others to come to you or respect your need for a mental health break, if need be. This will allow you some time to recuperate and boost your energy.

• Try a New and Exciting Exercise 

It’s so easy to fall out of a workout routine and in many cases, it’s because you don’t enjoy your routine or you don’t have time to complete it. Forcing yourself to work out when your heart isn’t in it or racing to the gym after work to fit in a workout in between other obligations is an unhealthy way to exercise. 

Exercise should bring you relief, joy, and act as a destresser and an energy booster. It should not be the source of your fatigue or stress. If you are simply bored of your mundane routine, challenge yourself and try something new, like our Body & Mind Ballet workouts or a Sleek live class. Ballet is a great alternative to running on the treadmill as it can provide you with physical coordination as well as better mental health and focus. Blending cognitive thought processes with muscle memory can allow you to achieve your peak performance, and it’s fun and engaging. The physical and mental stimulation of dance can provide you with more energy in the long run. 

• Drink More Water 

Lack of sufficient water intake can cause an overall loss of fluids in the body. Fluid loss can cause you to feel fatigued and have low energy as your body tries to function without enough water. If you’re constantly feeling tired despite getting enough sleep, you may need to boost your water intake, to boost your energy levels. Drinking water with a high pH level and electrolytes can help you hydrate more effectively. 

Making a few simple adjustments to your day-to-day can help you feel more energetic than you have in years. Don’t miss out on the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.  

V&F x