7 Ways To Increase Your Energy.

The constant feeling of tiredness and lack of energy is a common problem. The NHS website states:

“Feeling exhausted is so common that it has its own acronym, TATT, which stands for “tired all the time”.

It doesn’t have to be this way. Here are seven immediately actionable steps to increase your energy and thus your happiness and productivity, starting today.

1. Decide You Aren’t Tired.

This may seem trite, but tiredness is a state of mind. Regardless of how we feel, we still have control of our actions and behaviour—choosing not to feel tired means pushing through your discomfort and continuing your activities. It means recognising the fact that some causes of fatigue can be psychological.

We can get so used to the feeling of fatigue that we allow it to dominate our day. It is a known psychological principle that we can change our mood by changing our behaviour. In other words, to feel something different, you have to DO something different.

So act as if you are not tired and see how far it takes you. You might surprise yourself.

2. Don’t Oversleep.

A natural response to feeling fatigued is to sleep more. Paradoxically too much sleep can make you tired.

There are comparisons to be made between oversleeping and a hangover.

The best way to combat oversleeping is to stick to a strict schedule. Go to bed and wake up at predictable times every day. Your body will quickly adapt to this, and you will benefit not only from less fatigue but from having more hours in the day to be productive.

3. Exercise Every Day, Intensely Every 2 Days.

We need regular exercise. The benefits are vast. It calms us, relaxes us and builds a foundation of discipline which we can apply to every area of our lives.

Exercise daily, but don’t overdo it at first. If you are not used to exercising, consult your doctor and follow a safe regime.

Energy is a paradox. The more you use, the more you create. Often, the people with the least energy do the least, which is a self-perpetuating negative cycle.

It may be difficult at first because it takes about 66 days for a behaviour to become automatic. If you can stick it out, you will improve your life more than you ever thought possible.

4. Eat Better.

The diet industry has grown to a $71 billion behemoth. It takes advantage of peoples weaknesses, encouraging them to bounce from one fad to another. Dieting pedals the myth that you don’t have to do any hard work and that the route to weight loss and energy is so complicated that you need yet another expert to guide you, for a princely sum of course.

Diet is another topic where you should seek the advice of a professional, but in my own life, I have found there is no need for a fancy diet. I have gained the most energy by cutting out sugar, reducing cheap carbs such as doughnuts, and switching to brown rice and potatoes. Replace some carbs with good fats and eat plenty of dark greens.

5. Drink Water.

It is recommended to drink around 3.7 litres a day for men and 2.7 litres for women.

Drinking water significantly affects energy levels, and even mild dehydration can be a significant impairment.

6. Perform a Mid Day Reset.

I find that my energy levels tend to crash around 2 pm. I may go for a walk, meditate, or hit the gym to combat this—anything to get moving and stimulate my body and mind.

7. That Which Costs Energy Gives Energy.

Change your mindset from “using energy” to “creating” it. The more active and focused you are, the more energetic you become.

Every time you decide to get off the couch and engage in physical activity, you create energy for later.

Energy is not in limited supply. You can have it in abundance. Consider physical activity as an investment in yourself. Such an investment should be a priority in your life.