5 Ways To Boost Your Energy For A Productive Lifestyle
Introduction
Success depends on being productive. To be effective in life, you need energy. You need to give your body and brain fuel with what you eat, and you also need to move and rest.
5 Ways To Boost Your Energy For A Productive Lifestyle
The author, Mhairi McFarlane, says, “Do nothing, nothing happens.”
Here are five ways to boost your energy for a productive lifestyle.
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, revealed that students with hectic schedules performed significantly worse academically. While moderate levels of extra-curricular scheduling improved academic performance and continuing education rates, such as college or trade school, overscheduled students did not do as well.
Multi-tasking is a myth because the more a person focuses on, the less they actually accomplish. Researchers at Yale University have shown that the brain can only focus on one task at a time. Schedule empty blocks and downtime for yourself to boost your energy and focus.
Eat Healthily
England’s National Health Service (NHS) 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 snacking on sugary foods makes your energy levels go up and down quickly, like a roller coaster. The 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.
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. And taking breaks has been shown to improve your immune system, keeping you healthy and energetic.
Exercise
When you’re tired, it’s hard to have the motivation to exercise. But exercise reduces tiredness. Several studies have found that participating in an exercise program improves the feeling of energy in 90% of people who lead sedentary or inactive lives.
Exercise does not have to be hours every day at the gym. The Centers 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 to 60 minutes and stretch or take a short walk. Researchers at the University of Michigan found that regular activity breaks have the following benefits:
- 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 say to start with short workouts and build up as you get stronger and more used to the activity.
Reduce Stress
Life is full of challenges, obstacles, and problems that create stress. Stress increases your heart rate, elevates your blood pressure, and boosts your energy levels as part of the fight or flight response. Your body’s initial reaction to stress is to view it as a threat. Once the pressure or danger 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 counseling.
Conclusion
Simplifying your life, eating healthily, and staying active will help you boost your energy levels. Taking breaks and managing stress also contribute to a more productive lifestyle.
