If you are wondering how to be energetic all day, it’s probably for two reasons. One: there is a time when you feel irresistibly inert and drowsy. Two: a person you know is an absolute ball of fire, perpetually busy, with a spring in their step. You know it’s achievable.
The question is: how?
Common Causes of Low Energy
Before you start working on your energy levels, it’s a good idea to figure out why you feel exhausted.
The possible causes can be subdivided into three categories:
- medical issues
- lifestyle setbacks
- mental blocks
Medical issues are the number one factor you should consider. Low energy can be a symptom of a thyroid gland condition, vitamin deficiency, digestive tract issues, depression, hormone imbalance, anemia, and a number of other diseases. Pick up the phone and book an appointment with your healthcare provider.
Lifestyle setbacks are the habits and activities that impede your energy levels. These are often self-imposed, such as going to bed at 2 a.m.
Mental blocks suck the life out of you to the point where your brain enters defensive survival mode. Working a job you hate or maintaining a troubled marriage are some classic examples. A mental block is often a symptom of a systemic issue.
And while these categories can (and usually do) overlap, today we are going to focus on lifestyle – because it is something you can act on immediately.
How to Be Energetic in the Morning
A happy morning starts in the evening: post-wake-up energy levels are determined by what you do before you snooze.
- Do you normally fall asleep after 11 p.m.?
- Do you sleep in a poorly ventilated room?
- Do you use a phone or computer before bed?
- Is your pillow too low or too high?
- Do you like midnight snacks?
- Do you wake up multiple times a night?
If you have answered “yes” to any of the above, there might be a problem. Sleep has a dramatic effect on overall health, and it’s especially noticeable in the morning hours.
According to the World Health Organisation, a perfect sleep lasts 7 to 9 hours, starting before 11 p.m. Abstain from looking at electronic screens for at least an hour before you retire (although screenless devices like Scripter are fine). Make sure your bed is comfortable and supports your spine properly.
Additionally, you should always eat a hearty breakfast. For an active day, it is a must. (Note: coffee isn’t breakfast.)
How to Be Energetic in the Afternoon
Although an energetic morning usually results in a productive afternoon, sometimes you just can’t help but feel exhausted before the workday is over. These little tricks can help you maintain and regain your energy.
1. Take a break and walk around.
Physical activity does wonders to your mind and body. Find an excuse to move, be it an errand or thoughtful pacing. Those 5 or 10 minutes can make all the difference.
2. Open your window.
An inexplicable ennui in the middle of a task might mean there isn’t enough oxygen in the room, so make sure you are breathing fresh air, even in winter. This is an overlooked yet incredibly common problem. Avoid it.
Furthermore, make sure there is enough light, as the brain often mistakes closed blinds for the sunset.
3. Do not browse social media.
Scientists confirm that our brain has not evolved to process the amount of information you can find on social media. It is easily overwhelmed. If you mix social media and other tasks, it will get overwhelmed for sure. Anxiety, absent-minded behavior, and disinterest in face-to-face conversations are some of the likely consequences. Schedule your internet time for when you have nothing else to do.
4. Eat your lunch.
Skipping lunch makes you sluggish, so eat your food and (you guessed it), hydrate.
5. Take a power nap.
A cat nap that lasts between 20 and 30 minutes will restore your energy levels, and it’s a great way to clear your head, especially in the afternoon. However, if you cross the 30 minutes mark, you will enter deep sleep and wake up feeling groggy. Set your most annoying alarm.
How to Be Energetic in the Evening
You are not supposed to be very energetic in the evening: around sunset our bodies prepare to rest for the night, releasing hormones and making us sleepy. Ideally, you should embrace the snooze and follow it. Any artificial methods to prolong wakefulness affect your health, so we will not recommend them. Just go to bed.
Conclusion
Energy levels are impacted by multiple factors, both physical and mental. If you want to be an active person, it is important to take charge of the factors you can control. This might mean an extra check-up, changing lifestyle, improving habits, or consulting a mental health professional. Either way, staying energetic all day is doable.
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