If you’re among the chronically exhausted, you’re in good company. One of the main complaints that I hear from clients is that they are exhausted, have no energy, and rely on caffeinated pick-me-ups like coffee and (cringe) diet soda.
This begs the question…why are we so damn tired?
Put simply, we’re sleeping less, stressing more, and eating far worse than the 20 through 50-somethings of several decades ago.
But how do we break the cycle?
Believe it or not, it’s easier than you think and does not begin and end with a shot of 5 Hour Energy.
Here are 7 SIMPLE steps to naturally boost your energy:
1. Green your routine
We could ALL use more greens in our diet. One easy way is to periodically incorporate green smoothies into your diet. Besides getting a good dose of alkalizing greens that help to reduce acidity and decrease inflammation in your body, green smoothies deliver a natural source of energy. If you typically hit the wall in the afternoon, rather than chugging a Red Bull or coffee, try a green smoothie. The natural sugars from the fruit and vegetables will give you a boost, but the high fiber content and vitamins and minerals will help to prolong the energizing effects.
Need some inspiration? Try some of these yummies: 
- 4:1 Green Smoothie
- Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie
- Berry Detoxifying Dandelion Green Smoothie
- Coconut Bok Choy Smoothie
- Crazy Coconut & Pineapple Spinach Smoothie
- Healthy Key Lime Pie Smoothie
- Mix & Match 3-Ingredient Smoothie
- Protein-Packed Green Smoothie
- Supergreen Banana Cacao Smoothie
- Sweet ‘N Sour Green Smoothie
Wanna go it alone? Check out this “how to” green smoothie tutorial.
Are you hungry yet? I sure am.
2. De-clutter your life
Think about for a minute what it feels like when you’ve cleaned out a nagging closet or garage. How much lighter do you feel? More energetic? That’s what I’m talkin’ about! Less is more, folks. Get rid of the ‘stuff’ . It’s overrated. As the great Henry David Thoreau once said “Our life is frittered away by detail… Simplify, simplify, simplify!” He was onto something. Not sure where to begin? Check out “The Clutter Trap“, a brilliantly-written e-book from friend and fellow blogger, Robin Konie with Thank Your Body, that will literally give you your life back in as little as 15 minutes a day. Yes, really.
3. Take maca
Maca root, also known as “Peruvian ginseng”, has been prized for generations as an energy enhancer, aphrodisiac, and hormone and mood stabilizer. Because it naturally balances hormone levels, there is no “crash”, as there is with sugar, coffee, or those nasty chemical-infused energy drinks. Add maca to your morning oatmeal smoothie. One word of warning – go easy. Maca’s energy-boosting capabilities are also not a force to be reckoned with, and can cause the jitters and serious energy boosts in sensitive systems. Starting slowly will alleviate this (½ teaspoon a day, and work up to a teaspoon or two daily or every other day, over the course of a few weeks). Read more here.
4. Eliminate sugar and processed foods
Eating sugary processed foods can give you a quick “boost,” followed by a plummet in energy. The reason? Processed foods are filled with refined grains, which convert directly to sugar as well as have hidden sugars. Over time, this damages your digestive tract AND your important energy-producing organs, the thyroid and adrenals.
If you’re a prisoner to your sugar cravings and are ready to break free from its chains, download my FREE Kick Sugar Now Quick Start Guide and get access to the FREE Kick Sugar Now 7-Day Challenge PRIVATE Facebook Group here.
5. Less booze, more water
Water accounts for approximately 60% of your body weight. Your organs and all vital systems require water in order to function properly. Dehydration, even at minor levels, can cause various bodily systems to slow down, making you to feel sluggish, tired, and irritable. Too much alcohol flushes out B Vitamins, Vitamin C and electrolytes. It also dehydrates you, so it is easy to see why alcohol can severely deplete energy levels. Limit yourself to one glass per day and always have it with food (protein and fat). Don’t get me wrong, I like a nice Pinot Noir as much as the next gal, but there’s a time and place. If you’re in need of a quick “pick-me-up” try drinking a glass or two of water and always aim to drink half your body weight in ounces each day.
6. Take a walk
While it may seem as if moving about when you feel exhausted is the quickest route to feeling more exhausted, the opposite is true. Experts say that increasing activity, particularly walking, increases energy. In studies conducted at California State University, a brisk 10-minute walk not only increased energy, but the effects lasted up to two hours. And when the daily 10-minute walks continued for three weeks, overall energy levels and mood were lifted.
7. Detox your liver
The liver is constantly working to break down toxins in your food and environment that you are exposed everyday while trying to simultaneously maintain optimal metabolic function. As it becomes “clogged” with a buildup of by-products, it is unable to perform at its best. This leads to fatigue, weight gain, arthritis, and joint pain, as well as other chronic diseases. Giving the liver a good old-fashioned detox and cleanse with the right foods will remove these buildups, makings us feel better (and dramatically boosting our energy).
Are you among the energy-drained? Want to detox and not sure where to begin? Fear not, I’ve got your back.
After studying, researching, testing, and experiencing many detox programs, I’ve whittled down the best of the best and have created a 21-day hunger-free detox & cleanse program that will teach you step-by-step how to kick your cravings for food and feel better than you ever imagined in your own skin!
Here’s what some of my Superwomen Alumni have to say about the program:
“After 3 weeks, I lost 8 pounds and noticed a huge increase in my energy level. I also had this incredible feeling of clarity that is hard to describe. Often in the morning, pre-detox, it would be hard to get up, and when I did wake up, I felt foggy. I have never been so clear and FOCUSED in my entire life. I was (and continue to be), extremely productive at home and at my job!”
~ Dawn C., Account Executive-FedEx and Mom of 2
“Not only did I detox my body, I detoxed my entire life. The clean, endless energy I had in abundance overflowed. My house, my office, and even my desktop look better! I hoped for more energy but didn’t expect to be jumping out of bed at 5:10am to work out and feeling amazing energy throughout the day. My CrossFit friends even noticed the difference!”
~ Amy H., Elementary School Principal and Mom of 4
“Working full time, being in school full time, and having 4 kids under the age of 4 left me dragging with little to no energy and constant brain fog. With this program I was able to lose 18 pounds and regain my energy and mental clarity after only a few short weeks. I have continued to incorporate this detox in my everyday life and my energy levels continue to soar.”
~Chad B., Engineering Technician & Dad of 4
Curious? Check it out. You’ve got nothing to lose but the energy drain, excess weight, and brain fog, and who needs that?
Kerry says
December 22, 2013 at 10:11 pmVery informative site, thanks
Kristen Boucher says
December 23, 2013 at 9:52 amThanks for the comment and your readership, Kerry! :)