Being low on energy can affect every other part of your day. It can sour your mood, interfere with work and exercise, and interfere with your social and family life.

 

While chronic low energy (also known as fatigue) can be a sign of illness, most of us have days when we feel inactive and tired. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to boost your energy. But it’s important to understand what energy really is and what helps deplete it before we can get it back.

What is energy?

The human body runs on chemical energy called adenosine triphosphate (ATP). In order to make ATP, we need food – proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, to be exact.

 

When our bodies digest food, it breaks down into glucose, which our cells then turn into energy. The insulin in our bodies allows this to happen by sending signals to these cells. The resulting energy is either used immediately or stored in our bodies for later use.

 

If we don’t get enough food, our energy reserves get depleted and our physical and cognitive functions are reduced.

 

Now, that’s on a purely technical level. We all know that eating a bit of food won’t necessarily give us the energy boost we want.

 

What depletes human energy?

Aside from a lack of nutrition, our energy reserves can be affected by:

-          A lack of sleep

-          Certain illnesses and infections

-          Heart disease

-          Anemia

-          Thyroid problems

-          Chronic pain

-          Depression

-          Any kind of stress

-          A lack of vitamins

-          Medication side effects

-          Drug and alcohol use

 

Paying attention to any patterns when you’re feeling low on energy can help you figure out the contributing factors. For example, if you just started a new medication or feel zapped of energy after a weekend of partying, you know what to blame.

 

Easy ways to boost your energy

It’s important to talk to your doctor about a chronic lack of energy since it may indicate illness. However, there are ways to boost your energy that you can take on yourself. 

 

Get some sleep

Getting sleep isn’t as easy as it sounds for many people. Having trouble sleeping when you’re already low on energy is even worse. Still, if something is stressing you out, that may be the position you find yourself in.

 

Because sleep helps replenish our bodies and allows them to be more effective in creating energy, it’s important to do what you can to get enough sleep (which can be anywhere from 6 to 10 hours, depending on the person). Taking a warm bath at night, avoiding electronics before bedtime, and being active during the day can all help with sleep troubles.

 

Get some exercise

It’s the advice that no one wants to hear, but even walking for 15 minutes a day can help solve a variety of health issues, including a lack of energy. Granted, it’s tough to lace up those sneakers when you’re feeling low. However, if you force yourself to do it, you’ll be rewarded with higher brain dopamine levels, which helps elevate mood.

 

Of course, exercise also helps us get better rest at night, so it’s a win-win.

 

Eat foods that help your body produce energy

Just like being active and getting sleep, it may seem like eating a healthy diet is a bit of a no-brainer when it comes to feeling better. But the truth is that many of us don’t find the time or willpower to watch what we eat.

 

A healthy diet can improve energy levels in more than one way. And if you want to get technical, food literally helps create energy by providing the means to make ATP. But while carbs (sugars and starches) are a necessary part of this process, too much of them can have the opposite effect, creating a blood sugar spike and then a descent into an energy crash.

 

What we really need for an ideal energy boost is foods with a low glycemic index. These are things like whole grains, not the refined carbs we normally think of when we snack. In addition to whole grains, protein, high-fiber vegetables, nuts, and healthy oils such as olive oil can all help our bodies turn food into energy efficiently (without storing the extra as fat).

Have some caffeine

If you can tolerate caffeine, it’s likely to give you an energy boost. But it’s important to limit caffeine to the morning and early afternoon because it can interfere with sleep. Too much can lead to an energy spike and crash, just like refined carbs.

 

Caffeine isn’t a long-term solution, but if you need a little jolt to take on a task you’re too tired for, a cup of coffee (or better yet, green tea) may be just what you need.

 

Drink water

If your body is short on fluids, one of the first signs is a feeling of fatigue. Dehydration can sometimes feel like hunger as well, causing us to overeat and feel sluggish as a result.

 

Drinking water helps your body operate. When your body doesn’t have enough of it can affect your energy levels, brain function, and motivation. So the key to staying energized is to never let yourself get dehydrated in the first place.

 

If you’re looking to hydrate yourself quickly, an IV drip may be the answer you’re looking for. They can replenish the fluids your body needs to function its best.

Try an energy-boosting IV infusion

Reset IV offers a selection of energy-boosting IV packages, including:

 

Basic hydration – A liter of saline, which is a mixture of water and Sodium Chloride, will replenish the fluids necessary for normal body function.

 

Jetlag – Saline and B complex are the main energy-boosting ingredients to help reduce stress and combat fatigue.

 

Fatigued/Dehydrated – With saline for hydration, vitamin B12 for metabolism, caffeine for alertness, and taurine to help you de-stress, this package has it all.

 

Click here to learn more, including packages designed to help you hit the gym hard or simply relax so you can rest and wake up feeling renewed.