7 Metabolism Boosting Ways to Have More Energy Naturally ...

No matter what else you do, none of the ways to have more energy will be able to help you if you’re not properly dealing with your stress. Stress is the number one thing that will fatigue you more than anything. To learn how to manage your stress, it’s best to explore a few natural options. First, I suggest exercising to moderate stress, preferably earlier in the day. No matter what kind you choose, studies have shown that dealing with your stress this way can have a dramatic effect on your health in the long term. I also suggest trying calming exercises like yoga and walking instead of intense choices like running if you’re prone to anxiety and nervous tendencies. You can also consider meditation, which is skyrocketing today in terms of popularity due to its effectiveness for reducing stress. When you manage your stress instead of medicate it with sugar, caffeine, or other unhealthy ways, you can rejuvenate and energize your body from the inside out. Ignoring it or numbing your stress will only further exhaust you physically and mentally, not to mention cause weight gain.

B vitamins are one of the best nutrients to pay attention to when looking to gain energy through your foods. It’s always a good idea to get your vitamins from foods instead of supplements as much as possible. This not only saves you money, but is the optimal form to consume our vitamins and minerals. B vitamins help rev up your metabolism, boost thyroid function, and boost brain function. They are the best ways to energize your brain and your body through what you put on your plate. B vitamin rich foods include spinach, avocados, bananas, all nuts and seeds, plain yogurt, eggs, seafood, fish, meat, poultry, spirulina, nutritional yeast, and even coffee has a good amount. Eating more B vitamin rich foods can do wonders for your energy, your mood, and your entire body. Many people even find they are less depressed when consuming more B vitamins as well.

Another sure fire way to gain more energy is to get up earlier. Just one hour can make all the difference. Though it sounds counterproductive, getting up one hour earlier can help reset your melatonin levels with the sun, which tells your body when it’s time to wake up and when to go to sleep. This can help energize you naturally since sunlight is one key factor in giving our bodies energy and even warding off depression.

Before you jump up early tomorrow morning though, be sure you get a full night’s rest first. Getting at least 7- 8 hours rest is absolutely non-negotiable when it comes to having more energy. Your body needs to repair itself overnight, along with have time to reproduce hormones that can enhance your energy, and even help you age better.

Carbohydrates are the natural source of energy that most people turn to for starting their day, but protein is actually better for long term energy. Though you should include healthy carbohydrates, be sure you eat a clean source of protein for breakfast every single morning. Protein jump starts your metabolism, tells your body to burn fat, and sustains you longer than a starchy single carbohydrate food will. Good ideas are a clean protein smoothie, Greek yogurt, eggs and egg whites, or even quinoa and oatmeal, which are both high in protein and carbs. Also be sure to include some type of produce, whether it be veggies and tomatoes with your eggs, berries in your yogurt or oats, or leafy greens and fruit in your smoothie. When combined with protein, these foods help prime your energy all day long and sustain hunger for hours.

The raw food diet is pretty popular right now for several reasons. One reason I like to eat more raw foods than cooked foods is because they can give your energy levels a boost big time. You don’t have to get complicated with raw foods either. Just make it simple. Have a large leafy green salad for lunch, and perhaps your favorite choice of protein such as fish. Then, add a side of raw carrots and an apple for some healthy carbohydrates. Or, for breakfast, have a raw smoothie with leafy greens, raw hemp protein, some berries, and even some raw chia seeds. Raw foods are easier for the body to turn to immediate energy than cooked food, and they are also rich in enzymes, so they digest more quickly, and nutrients can be used more efficiently than cooked foods. You don’t have to eat all raw to get the benefits, but trying eating more of your foods without cooking them. Even if you’re 50% raw, you’ll see more energy in no time, due to the fact that they don’t take away energy for digestion as much as cooked foods do.

Sitting is one of the worst things to do for long term energy. I used to work at a desk in an office all day, and you’d think I would have had energy stored up from sitting all day. On the contrary! I was actually so tired from staring at a computer screen all day, unable to take breaks, or stand while I walked. Luckily, if you work at home, you have the option of standing while you work, and taking breaks when necessary. If you don’t have an active job, do your best to stay active however you can. If you’re at home, do chores here and there, take a brief walk outside, and even cook a few meals. Staying active actually gives your body energy, because it jump starts the metabolism. When you’re sitting, your body isn’t only storing calories, but also slowing down big time. Get up and move and get more energy in no time!

There are many ways to gain more energy naturally that require no caffeine, pills, or sugary foods. Hey, that doesn’t mean I’m giving up my coffee or raw chocolate any time soon, but these tips above are my mainstays for staying active without stimulants. Do you have a favorite way you stay energized throughout the day? What works for you?