It takes a lot of energy during the day to go to work, raise a family, and manage your other responsibilities. That means we need a good night’s sleep of seven or eight hours. However, sometimes you may lose sleep for various reasons and find yourself feeling tired throughout the day with reduced energy and slowed movements. There are many ways to feel energized and stay active to make each day more enjoyable.
Take Occasional Naps
Naps aren’t just for kids, and taking a nap doesn’t make you lazy. A daily nap can help you catch up on lost sleep so that you wake up feeling refreshed. Aim for between twenty and sixty minutes in a quiet area where you won’t be disturbed. Sleeping longer than that may disrupt your natural sleep cycle at night. You can then awaken with renewed energy to continue your day.
Get Adequate Sleep
Even if you feel as though you rest enough at night, chances are your sleep is being disrupted in a variety of ways. You might be going to bed later or getting up earlier than you think. You might be waking up in the middle of the night, tossing and turning for a while until you can fall back asleep. Even if you are asleep, you may be sleeping lightly with frequent awake periods that keep you from fully resting in deep slumber. There are many causes for this restlessness, but one of the most serious is sleep apnea. If you wake up most mornings still feeling tired, you may have sleep apnea, a condition that causes you to pause breathing without realizing it and then jolt awake with the need for oxygen. If this seems likely, consult sleep apnea doctors about possible testing and treatment of the condition.
Eat Healthy
Avoid foods that are heavy in fat and salt, as they tend to make people bloat, and being bloated may steal your energy. Eat nutritious foods at every meal and snack on healthy fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Sugar and caffeine can give you a temporary rush, but then your system will crash, leaving you devoid of motivation or energy.
Organize Your Schedule
Schedule the busiest activities for the time of day when you feel most energetic. For some, this is morning. They wake up and jump right into the things that need done. By afternoon they are wiped out but ready for the next day. If you are a night owl, plan your more intensive activities for the evening when you can get more done.
No matter how sluggish you may feel at times, there are remedies that can restore your energy and help you to get things done. Try the tips above to see if you can feel better on your own. If you don’t improve, contact your doctor for advice.
