Lack of Energy

In a society where overwork and sleep deprivation are normal we all feel tired from time to time. However, the lack of energy (or fatigue) referred to here is more than just a few hours of tiredness. Although it is not a disorder in itself, severe energy loss can be a symptom of disease or bodily imbalance and can occur at any age.

Lack of energy, fatigue and low stamina or endurance is now too common. 75% of the general public now say they are too tired or cannot achieve what they want to in life.

It is  2 pm. and you are about ready for a nap. Where did all your energy go? 


It turns out that some of your daily habits are to blame for the energy you lack in your life. Here are a few things to fix in order to help you get that energy back!

Avoid smoking

You know smoking threatens your health. But you may not know that smoking actually siphons off your energy by causing insomnia. The nicotine in tobacco is a stimulant, so it speeds the heart rate, raises blood pressure, and stimulates brain-wave activity associated with wakefulness, making it harder to fall asleep. And once you do fall asleep, its addictive power can kick in and awaken you with cravings.

Use caffeine to your advantage

Caffeine does help increase alertness, so having a cup of coffee can help sharpen your mind. But to get the energizing effects of caffeine, you have to use it judiciously. It can cause insomnia, especially when consumed in large amounts or after 2 p.m.

Avoid artificial energy sources

Many people turn to energy drinks for energy boosts, only to find themselves wiped out a few hours later. Such artificial energy sources are great for quick pick me ups, but lead to crashes later on in the day. So skip them all together. They are bad for your diet and offer you little or no nutritional value.

Limit alcohol
One of the best hedges against the mid afternoon slump is to avoid drinking alcohol at lunch. The sedative effect of alcohol is especially strong at midday. Similarly, avoid a five o’clock cocktail if you want to have energy in the evening. If you are going to drink, do so in moderation at a time when you don’t mind having your energy wind down.

Eat healthier

What did you have for lunch? Processed foods full of chemicals and sugar can lead to energy depletion. Stick with healthy choices like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. After a few days, you will be amazed at the new level of energy that you now have.

Drink plenty of water

The human body consists mostly of water, so it is imperative that you stock up daily. Dehydration is one of the main energy zappers, and most ignore the signs until it is too late. So whenever you pass the tap, fill your glass up. Most doctors will recommend drinking 8 glasses a day, which may sound like a lot. But if you replace your morning coffee or cola for water, you can easily meet this requirement. If plain water isn't appealing consider adding a splash of lemon or lime for a quick pick me up.

Being Addicted to Email

You'd think, that you would be saving energy by having things at your fingertips. You can check your email, your voice mail, your IMs, all from your phone now a days, and it's supposed to make things more convenient for you. It's supposed to save your time. However, multitasking drains you out even faster. Here's what you can do. Limit yourself to when you check your emails. You don't have to check it right when you hear that beep. Instead, check it hourly. As for simple reminders? Write it down & take care of it later.

Poor Posture

You already know that poor posture is bad for you, but it also zaps up your energy. "When you sit for long periods of time, you tend to slump forward, leading to rounded shoulders and a tilted lower spine. Your muscles contract, and blood flow is impaired." Because of this, the amount of oxygen to your brain is limited. It's simple to fix this one. Sit up straight! And get up every now and then to stretch, get a glass of water and walk around.

Being Bored

It happens, we tend to have those "I am Bored.." moments. We don not want to get up because what we have to do, is not fun. We lack motivation, and boredom takes over. However, being who we are, we like seeing results, and we like seeing them fast. So getting things done gives us that mental energy boost. However, if we're bored, lazy, and unmotivated to do anything, we deprive ourselves from that natural high. Instead, find something to work for. Make a promise to yourself and treat yourself, when every thing's done and in order. A hard day's work, deserves some kind of treat that you don't have to wait the end of the week for.


Do not exercise too much or too little

 Either one can cause low energy levels. If you are a stressed, don't pick a stressful form of exercise such as running or aerobics. Instead, try Pilate, Tai Chi, yoga, lifting weights, or walking. Exercise should leave you refreshed, not wiped out. You must include exercise into your routine at least three times a week.

 Visual Clutter

Some of us may be used to living that way. Folders, papers, all over the desk. Clothes all of the floor and bed, and the pile of dishes at the sink. But we're not meant to live that way. "Clutter signals a disorder, which makes us anxious. Our brains sense that anxiety." Here's what you can do. Clean. Get organized. Allow your eyes to rest from time to time instead of having it dart around from mess to mess. Clear the folders and the papers on the desk. Do some laundry, and tackle those dishes.

Check for yeast overgrowth in the intestines:

 Gas, bloating, and carbohydrate or sugar cravings are often caused by yeast overgrowth which in turn causes low energy levels. A nutritionist can help you determine whether this may be the case, or you can take a Candida questionnaire assessment. Limiting refined carbohydrates and taking supplements to combat Candida can remedy this problem and renew your energy.

Get enough sleep 

We all need different amounts of sleep to wake up feeling rested. Figure out how much your body needs so that you are able to wake up without an alarm clock.

Age-Related Energy Loss

The main reason for loss of energy in aging is due to the continual lack of nutrients over years of insufficient dietary practice, an inadequate lifestyle, surrounding environmental factors and years of long-term medication. These all lead to a progressive decrease in muscular strength and flexibility, immune deficiency and disease vulnerability, making your body fight harder day-by-day to remain healthy.

By adulthood your resting metabolism has already decreased by 10%. In older age, along with your oxygen intake, your metabolism continues to decrease by a further 10%. Most of your total daily energy comes from this resting metabolism, therefore nutrient intake must be sufficiently increased and/or adjusted accordingly as we age to maintain sufficient energy use.

Many conditions list 'lack of energy' or 'fatigue' as a symptom, in fact almost all of them!…

Respiratory disorders,Arthritic disorders – ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis

Mood disorders – depression, bipolar disorder

Gastrointestinal problems – celiac disease, constipation, diarrhea

Dehydration

Musculoskelatal disorders – fibromyalgia

Sleep disorders – insomnia

Menopause and premenstrual syndrome

Obesity, and, of course…

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

Common examples of conditions causing loss of energy include:

1.)Anemia 2.) Insomnia 3.) Gastrointestinal disorders 4.)Allergies 5.) Hypothyroidism 6.) Depression and anxiety 7.) Glandular fever 8.) Migraine 9.) Pregnancy 10.) Diabetes 11.)Viral or bacterial infection 12.) Anorexia and other eating disorders 13.) Arthritis 14.)Colds and flu 15) Autoimmune disease 16.) Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) 17.) Hypo tension 18.)Premenstrual tension 19.)Chest infections

Certain medications cause loss of energy too:

1.) Narcotics 2.)Muscle relaxants.3.) Sleeping pills 4.) Heart medications 5.) Steroids 6.) Diuretics 7.) Antihistamines 8.)Blood pressure medications 9.)Beta blockers

10.) Decongestants 11.) ACE inhibitors

These are some reasons that causes lack of energy in individuals. By making some change in our daily lifestyles you should see an increase of energy within a week or two.

So have fun and start making a list of all the things you will do with your new source of energy.

This Article was by Michelle At People's Natural Living