How to Re-Energize Your Sluggish Body

Are you feeling rundown and tired? As long as there is no medical condition that’s making you feel this way, your weariness can probably easily be cured. Do you get enough sleep? Most American adults need an average of eight (8) hours sleep a night to feel well rested in the morning. However, statistics show that the average adult doesn’t even get seven (7) hours of sleep every night. Sleeplessness is also evaluated to be the number one “health-related problem in America.”

Take this quick quiz to see if you’re getting enough sleep:

1. Do you sleep in on the weekends? If so, this could be a sign that you’re sleep-deprived
during the week.

2. Do you wake up in the morning feeling rested and ready to go? If not, you should try going to bed at least thirty (30) minutes earlier every night.

3. Do you need an alarm clock to wake you up in the morning? If so, your body isn’t getting enough sleep. Our bodies are programmed to awaken naturally once we have enough sleep and rest.

If you have trouble sleeping at night, you can also try taking a fifteen to twenty minute nap in the daytime. This brief sleep should help you feel refreshed and re-energized!

As long as sleep-deprivation isn’t the problem, then maybe you’re feeling sluggish because of the stress in your life. Therefore, no matter how busy your schedule is, set aside an hour every day to pamper yourself. Use this time to read a favorite book, soak in a hot tub, perform yoga exercises, or take a long walk in a peaceful place.

Here’s another tip to re-energize your body: have you had a physical exam lately with blood work performed? If you’re anemic, then there’s not enough iron in your blood. A lack of iron causes tiredness and fatigue. The average woman needs eighteen (18) or more milligrams of iron every day; the average man needs ten to eighteen milligrams. If you don’t already, take a multivitamin every day. Choose a vitamin that contains a high level of iron. In addition to that, you should increase the iron-rich foods in your diet. These include cooked beef liver, molasses, brown rice, certain cereals such as TotalâÂ?¢ or Cream of Wheat, baked potato, watermelon, and- believe it or not- cheese pizza.

You may also want to talk to your healthcare professional about prescribing an iron supplement for you.

Do you drink enough water every day? Not only will water hydrate your body and help flush harmful toxins away, it will refresh you! If you live on coffee and soda pop, your body can easily become dehydrated. Dehydration causes fatigue and loss of energy, especially in the hot weather.

In order to re-energize your tired body, you should drink at least eight (8) glasses of water every day!

Are you in a slump? Break out of your boring routine! Become more physically active, and you’re sure to feel more energetic! Go window shopping, visit a friend, take up a hobby, or take a short trip to an interesting place. The new sights, sounds and social interaction will not only wake up your mind, but it will also add energy to your body.

Start each day with a balanced breakfast. Statistics show that breakfast is the most important meal of the day! Eat plenty of protein in the morning, and your energy levels will be higher. It’s best to avoid sugary cereals and other prepackaged breakfast foods. Sugar will give you a quick “lift”, but your blood sugar level will bottom out after awhile too. This drop will cause you to feel tired and sluggish.