How to Get Your Energy Back
At some point or another, we all find ourselves grappling with low energy. Perhaps you've been caught in the whirlwind of a busy schedule, just returned from an extended trip, or are grappling with sleep disturbances. It's also possible that your immune system is working overtime, leaving you feeling depleted.
Unfortunately, fatigue has become normalized in our fast-paced society, where rest is often viewed as a sign of weakness. Just like period cramps or hot flashes during menopause, we've convinced ourselves that fatigue is an inevitable part of life—a burden we must bear. However, this couldn't be further from the truth. Fatigue is simply our body's way of signaling that it’s reserves are running low and we need to prioritize rest. It's a message that our bodies are in need of healing or addressing an underlying issue. The power to heal lies within us.
Movement can be a powerful tool for boosting energy levels, but it's not always the answer. Picture your daily energy levels as a gas tank. When you're in good health, you start the day with a full tank of gas, and energy flows smoothly to where it's needed. At day's end, your tank depletes, and a good night's sleep replenishes it, ready for the next day.
However, sometimes things go awry in either the amount of “gas” that gets put back in your tank or the "pump" that sends the gas to where it needs to be. If we sleep well, nourish ourselves well, but our digestion is off and we aren’t eliminating properly our “pump” can work less efficiently and we get tired because the gas isn’t getting to where it needs to be. In this scenario, exercise is our best friend. It acts like a “pump” moving our stagnant energy and we feel wonderful after even a little movement.
Other times we may not be sleeping well, nourishing ourselves well, have underlying conditions that are body is working hard to heal (which takes energy) and each day we are only starting with a half a tank or maybe less. We don’t wake up refreshed and ready to go, we wake up tired, leaching out any reserves we may have to get through the day. Then we exercise only to find that we're more tired than when we started, but have been told that exercise helps so we keep going only further depleting our “tank”. In this case, we need rest more than movement. We need to fill our tank back up before expending anymore energy.
In summary:
- Exercise boosts energy: Keep moving.
- Exercise diminishes energy: It's time to rest.
When it comes to nutrition, various factors like insomnia, thyroid issues, poor diet, adrenal health, blood sugar imbalance, or infection can contribute to fatigue. However, it's essential to delve deeper into the root causes that precede these dysregulations.
Ultimately, the choices we make each day, driven by our emotions, are at the core of our well-being. While a quick fix like coffee or supplements may offer temporary relief, true healing and lasting change stem from our daily habits and choices.
Food serves as a foundational pillar of healing from within—it's our medicine. Every choice we make either supports our journey to healing or impedes our wellness. Here are a few strategies to sustain the fuel in your tank:
- Break free from the sugar habit.
- Reduce daily caffeine consumption.
- Prioritize protein intake.
- Foster metabolic flexibility.
By tuning into our bodies, making mindful choices, and honoring our unique needs, we can embark on a journey of intuitive nutrition, paving the way for enhanced energy, vitality, and overall well-being.
