Have you been feeling drained and unmotivated? You’ve probably tried to resist grabbing a third cup of coffee or relying on yet another soda, but you’re tired! If you feel your energy levels could use a serious boost, here are three natural ways to increase the spark.
Matcha Tea
Sluggish? Grab a hot cup of matcha. Matcha is a Japanese green tea that is made by grinding shade-grown tea leaves into a fine powder. It contains more caffeine than steeped green tea, but less than brewed coffee. However, because matcha also contains L-Theanine (natural amino acids), which binds with caffeine to reduce its absorption speed, you won’t experience negative side effects like jitters or addiction. Matcha provides sustained energy, alertness and mental clarity, with the added benefits of antioxidants.
Sunlight
Are you stuck indoors and struggling to stay awake? If so, take a quick trip outside. Sunlight triggers your brain’s release of the mood-boosting hormone, serotonin. Increased levels of serotonin help you feel more awake and full of energy. Sunlight also encourages the production of vitamin D. Without enough vitamin D, you may feel moody and fatigued. Lastly, sunlight (or the lack thereof) influences your body’s circadian rhythm, which is responsible for managing your sleep cycle.
Sleep
The most common way to boost your energy is to get the right amount of sleep. If you are regularly missing out on a full night’s slumber, your body will undoubtedly feel the effects. Similarly, if you get too much sleep, you can also feel tired. Most adults need 7-9 hours of restful sleep each night. Midday naps can also prove useful if you didn’t get enough sleep the night before.
You need high levels of energy in order to be sharp and ready to tackle the day. But you shouldn’t have to taint your health with harmful energy drinks and sugary sodas just to be productive. Try these three natural energy boosters instead and you’ll be feeling attentive in no time. Need extra tips? Here are a few exercises to unlock even more mental freedom.
