Five ways to naturally bump up your energy levels

Our energy is influenced by an endless array of factors; in fact, everything from sleep to stress, nutrition and hydration play a part. Having enough energy to keep up with the pressures and demands of everyday life is something we all want, and while this isn’t always easy to do, the happy reality is that it’s by no means impossible. In fact, a bit of experimentation will show you that just a few tricks and some slight changes to your daily routine can make all the difference.

Here’s our list of five tried-and-tested ways that have helped us to feel full of beans, even when sleep is on the scant side…

Morning stretch

Exercising first thing in the morning can take some serious will-power, but stretching is an effective way to reduce aches and pains; increase blood flow and generally increase your overall feeling of wellbeing as you energise the body and mind. Even just 5-10 minutes per morning will bring positive results, especially if you wake up feeling groggy after a bad night’s sleep.

Hydrate

Proper hydration is the key to a healthy body, and studies have shown that drinking lemon-infused water helps to increase metabolism and energy throughout the day. What’s more, adding a glass or two of water into your morning routine will not only help to fight fatigue and reduce blood pressure, but it also helps to flush out toxins and clear out skin problems.

Eat

Eating a healthy and nutritional meal in the morning gives you the best chance of enjoying long-lasting energy for the rest of the day. Stuck for time? Prepare breakfast the night before such as overnight oats (the magnesium in oats helps brain functioning throughout the day) and a nutrient-packed smoothie – the innocent super smoothie range means you’ll never have to forgo a good brekkie, even if you sleep through your alarm!

Fresh air

A bit of light exercise in the fresh air is always a good idea, especially first thing in the morning or when the rest of your day is centred around a computer screen. What’s more, when the 3pm slump hits, forget about coffee. There truly is no better way to knock it dead and get a pep back in your step than with a brisk walk around the block.

Essential oils

We all know lavender helps you sleep, but what most people don’t realise is that there are a whole host of essential oils that can help improve everything from concentration, to mood to stress levels and of course the one we’re concerned with; energy. Any oils with citrus properties are always great for boosting energy levels, as is eucalyptus and peppermint.

Photo by Nathalie Désirée Mottet on Unsplash