Fight Fatigue!

Don’t close your eyes just yet. LIVESTRONG contributor & MEN’S HEALTH “Fittest Women of Instagram” July 2014 pick, Nikki Sharp has 10 ways to boost energy and fight fatigue without hitting the sack.

• Get some sun – Sunlight boosts our serotonin levels and makes us feel alive, and it enhances our happiness. Try to get 5 minutes in the sunshine every day.

 

• Hydrate – Dehydration can lead to an inefficient delivery of oxygen to muscles, causing fatigue and a lack of energy and waste may not be removed properly from the body causing other issues such as toxic build up preventing the body from functioning efficiently.

 

• Eat natural energizing food – Snack on fruit. The natural sugar in fruit provides a quick pick-me up when you are feeling sluggish. The high fiber content in fruit ensures blood sugar levels are stabilized, unlike the extreme instant highs and lows in blood sugar you would experience when consuming candy bars.

 

• Tea time – Green tea boosts immunity and increases your energy. Green tea contains caffeine, which itself has been shown to improve physical performance by mobilizing fatty acids from the fat tissues and making them available for use as energy.

 

• Make like Goldilocks – Oats are rich in complex, energy-sustaining carbohydrates. They are low in fat and high in fiber, making them highly beneficial to your diet.

 

• Take breaks – A simple 5-minute break can help you slow down, step back from your work, reflect, and come up with better ideas. Instead of snacking for energy, every few hours take a quick 5-minute break to clear your head.

 

• Get Active – When you exercise, blood flow is increased, which delivers more oxygen throughout the body. Oxygen is vital for the creation of energy, and as more oxygen is delivered around our bodies more energy is created.

 

• Meditate – Take 5 minutes out to concentrate on the body’s life force, known as prana. Sit on the floor in a comfortable position with your eyes closed, become aware of your physical body. Then breathe in deeply through your nostrils and visualize your whole body filled with light and energy. Set a timer so you don’t end up missing your afternoon meeting with your boss.

 

• Go nuts for nuts – Cashews, almonds, and hazelnuts are high in magnesium, which plays a key role in converting sugar to energy. Nuts are also packed full of fiber, which helps keep your blood sugar levels stable. Pack a bag of unsalted nuts in your bag and keep them on your desk. They are perfect as a mid-morning snack or any time you feel an energy slump.

 

• Avoid smoking – Within 2 to 12 weeks of stopping smoking, your circulation improves, making all physical activity such as swimming, walking and running remarkably easier.