Summer blast June

  It seems that lack of energy is an epidemic these days! We drink coffee in the morning to wake us up and then eat sweets throughout the day to give us the energy boost we need to avoid the 3:00 crash. There’s two ways to look at food for energy, waiting until you hit the bottom of your energy stores and then reaching for a quick fix, or maintaining a steady supply of energy so you won’t grab that afternoon chocolate bar.

  Take the time to take care of your body, it’s our most precious vehicle, and most of us take it for granted, expecting it to work the way we want even when we abuse it. Here are some quick tips that are easy to implement and will keep you energized throughout the day.

1.	Drink water throughout the day! The first sign of dehydration is fatigue. Anytime you crave sweets, try having a glass of water instead. If you're thirsty, that means you're already dehydrated.
2.	Switch to healthier beverages that won't interrupt your energy cycle. Replace coffee with green or black tea (these have less caffeine than coffee and are gentler on your system). Replace soda with water that has been flavored with fresh fruit or honey.
3.	Eat regular mini meals throughout the day. This will keep your blood sugar stable and give your body all-day fuel. If you skip meals, your blood sugar plummets and you will feel drained and spacey.
4.	Take regular breaks throughout the day Set an alarm on your laptop or cell phone that will go off every hour and remind you to stand up and stretch or go for a quick walk outside.
5.	Eat a healthy carb/protein based snack about half hour before you tend to start losing steam. Try lentil soup with pita bread, a banana with almond butter, veggies and hummus or full fat yogurt with berries.

6.	Increase your iron intake. Iron is a trace element which gives you energy and helps your immune system function. You'll get iron from red meat, poultry, fish, nuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, brown rice, millet, and leafy greens (especially kale and spinach).
7.	Replace processed foods with foods that are ALIVE! The energy of real, non processed foods is transferred to you when you eat it. Try snap peas, celery, carrots, tomatoes, strawberries, broccoli, oranges, or squash. You can also make them extra portable by drying them in a food processor and keeping them in your purse or desk drawer. Drizzle veggies with some olive oil and sea salt before dehydrating and you’ll start reaching for them instead of chips!
8.	Get more rest and relaxation. Stress makes us tired. So does lack of sleep. You have to plan downtime into your schedule to give your body a chance to rejuvenate and refresh itself. Try taking a nap, reading a book, getting a massage or experiencing the water ritual at the Cygalle Healing Spa, the hot and cold plunges are sure to give you an instant energy boost while the steam room and sauna will provide the ultimate relaxation.

Choose 1 or 2 of these tips to implement into your routine every few weeks. Before you know it every one of them will be a part of day to day life and you’ll actually have the energy to get through your day without your morning cup of coffee or the mid-afternoon sugar kick.

Namaste!   

By,

Jacqueline Banks
Holistic Health Counselor A.A.D.P