5 Ways To Boost Your Energy For A Productive Lifestyle
Success depends on being productive. The author Mhairi McFarlane puts it this way, “Do nothing, nothing happens.” To be productive in life, you need energy.
Not only do you need to give your body and brain fuel with what you eat, but you also need to both move and rest.
Here are 5 ways to boost your energy for a productive lifestyle…
1. Stop Overscheduling
Do busy people get more done? Yes, but only to a point. Data from the Educational Longitudinal Study, a national study of American high school students, showed that students with intense schedules significantly decreased academic performance.
While moderate levels of extra-curricular scheduling improved academic performance and the rate of continuing education, such as college or trade school, over-scheduled students did not do as well.
Researchers at Yale University have shown that the brain can only focus on one task at a time. Multi-tasking is a myth because the more a person focuses on numerous projects, the less they actually accomplish.
Schedule empty blocks and downtime for yourself to boost your energy and focus.
2. Eat Healthily
The National Health Service (NHS) in England recommends eating regular meals and three to four healthy snacks during the day. Eating regularly helps keep your body’s blood sugar and energy levels consistent.
Skipping meals and sugary snacks create a roller coaster effect, raising then quickly lowering your energy levels.
Doctors at Harvard Health also recommend adding more protein to your diet. Protein takes longer for your body to absorb, giving you more consistent energy levels.
3. Take Breaks
Instead of overscheduling, take breaks throughout the day. Researchers at the University College of London found that taking short breaks improves:
• Memory
• Energy
• Stress
• Health
• Performance
Taking breaks makes it easier to memorize new things. Not taking breaks drains your energy levels and increases performance stress. Taking breaks have been shown to improve your immune system, keeping you healthy and energetic.
4. Exercise
When you’re tired, it’s hard to have the motivation to exercise. But exercise actually reduces tiredness.
Multiple studies have shown that 90% of people with a sedentary or inactive lifestyle improved their feeling of energy when they participated in an exercise program.
Exercise does not have to be hours every day at the gym. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) classify many activities as moderate or high impact exercise. Activity ideas to try include:
• Walking
• Jogging
• Gardening
• Raking leaves
• Playing with children
• Housecleaning
• Groups sports
• Yoga
One way to take breaks and exercise is to get up from your desk every 30-60 minutes and stretch or take a short walk. Researchers at the University of Michigan found that regular activity breaks:
• Increase energy
• Improve concentration
• Improve mood
• Increase metabolism
• Increase blood flow
• Improve posture
You should talk with your doctor before beginning an exercise or activity program. Doctors also recommend starting with short exercise periods and increasing your activity as you build strength and tolerance.
5. Reduce Stress
Life is filled with challenges, obstacles, and problems that create stress. Your body’s initial reaction to stress is to view it as a threat.
Stress increases your heart rate, elevates your blood pressure, and boosts your energy levels as part of the fight or flight response. Once the stress or threat has passed, your levels return to normal.
Chronic stress does not allow your body to reset and recharge. Research from the Mayo Clinic showed that chronic stress could affect your body and health in negative ways, increasing the risk for:
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Digestive problems
• Headaches
• Muscle tension and pain
• Heart disease, heart attack, high blood pressure, and stroke
• Sleep problems
• Weight gain
• Memory and concentration impairment
Health issues decrease your overall energy and make you less productive. Learn to manage stress through yoga, meditation, or counselling. Exercise can also help you relieve stress, boosting your energy levels in multiple ways.
Simplify your life, eat healthily, and staying active will help you boost your energy levels. Taking breaks and managing stress also contribute to a more productive lifestyle.