Health Weekly

Caught up in an energy trap

September 22 - 28, 2010
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How often do you have to drag yourself out of bed to go to work, or to go do an errand? How many things are on your to-do-list but you just never seem to get to do them?

If your energy is pulling you down and stopping you from doing all the things you want to do in life, then you're not alone. Do you how many people are like that? Millions. They postpone and postpone the things they need to do because they're just too tired, sleepy, slow, 'feeling down' or 'can't be bothered'.

Do you ever stop and say: I'm sick and tired of always being sick and tired!

If your energy has failed you, then think about this: If you improve what you eat and drink, you can improve your productivity on a daily basis. Better yet, you can finally get to do all the things you want to with your life without feeling that invisible force pulling you down and holding you back.

I'll give you some quick tips to help you avoid the energy traps and claim your energy back.

Think carefully about your mornings. Most people start their day with things that steal more energy than they give. For example, caffeine (in tea and coffee) will give you a short-lived energy and will set you up for an energy slump later in the day. It's not impossible to take caffeine out of your diet. Believe me, I used to be the biggest caffeine drinker, but once you stop, the craving for it goes and you will no longer have the need for artificial energy stimulation.

You can try what I did. I started by replacing all the afternoon caffeine drinks with decaffeinated ones. Then I cut out the amount I was having in the day. Then I slowly replaced all my caffeinated and decaffeinated hot drinks with peppermint tea (because I found it gave me a boost in spite of being naturally caffeine-free). You can also try it with any other herbal tea.

When your body functions on natural energy (not artificial energy from caffeine and sugar) you will have more sustained stamina that doesn't go through the roller-coaster ups and downs.

Another energy trap is having a starchy meal for lunch. You should try to avoid having starch for lunch if you feel like you need more energy in the afternoons. So skip the bread, pasta and rice and go for protein, salads, or vegetables instead.

Try to skip the sugar too. Most people crave sugar because it gives them a much-needed energy boost. The problem is, the more sugar you take the more likely you are to have an energy slump later and therefore, need more sugar ... it's a vicious cycle.

Once you stop consuming sugar, not only will you lose weight but your energy will come back in no time.

And, don't bother with the supposedly healthy energy bars.Believe it or not, these are just fancy names for candy. Most energy bars are loaded with sugar so, go for raw nuts, fruits, or olives as healthier snack alternatives.

What's even more interesting is that most people experience fatigue when they eat foods that they are sensitive to. Yes, food that your body does not digest or tolerate very well will actually make you more tired.

Food sensitivity can cause fatigue, mood swings and even dark circles under the eyes. Once you stop the offending foods, your energy will soar.

The majority of people are sensitive to wheat and dairy products (bread, cheese, milk, etc). If you suspect these foods are wearing you out, try eliminating them from your diet for two weeks and see if it makes a difference.

If you've tried these things and you're still tired, then you might want to check your iron and B12 levels. A deficiency in B vitamins or low levels of vitamin C can also cause fatigue. But before you supplement these, it's best to check with a practitioner.

You can get these vitamins naturally by making your diet healthier and eating more salads, fruits, vegetables and raw nuts.

Once you try these tips, you'll be laughing at your colleagues whose heads drop on their desk in the afternoon and your friends who start yawning at 6pm.

For more details on how you can make vibrant energy your own, contact me for a one-on-one consultation. Better yet, get your organisation to host an 'energy seminar' to help you and your colleagues get instant energy because more productivity equals more profit!

People who have used nutrition to combat exhaustion have been able to turn their lives around and have discovered new heights to their energy and are in much better moods. You can do it too!

Get more details on www.AliaAlmoayed.com







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