Always Tired? 5 Tips to Get Off the Energy Drain Train for GOOD!

We’re an energy drained nation. In fact, that’s what I tell my daughter when she’s acting up or not doing as told (which never happens…riiight…).

“You’re draining my energy, Mila.”

I know it’s hard to believe that angelic face could act up. But she does. Trust me.

She’s gotten smart and has also begun to use the old energy drain line as her excuse for not doing what I’m asking her to. Oh these kids.

Three-year old antics aside, 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 my top five tips to boost your energy naturally:

1. Get your move on

While on the surface it may seem counter-intuitive,  researchers say that engaging in regular exercise can pay off with increased energy in the long run. In a study published in Psychological Bulletin, researchers analyzed 70 studies on exercise and fatigue involving more than 6,800 people. The result?  More than 90% of the studies showed the same thing: sedentary people who completed an regular exercise program reported improved fatigue compared to groups that did not exercise. How about that? Get moving.

2. Breathe

Yep, pretty simple.  The shallow breathing that many of us are guilty of prevents the body from getting enough oxygen. When we feel tense (which is like, all the time, right?), we fail to breathe deeply, which is one reason we feel an energy zap at the end of a stress-filled day. “The general principles of correct breathing are to make it deeper, slower, quieter, and more regular,” says Dr. Andrew Weil, author of Healthy Aging: A Lifelong Guide to Your Well-Being. Doing so helps you force more oxygen into your cells, which slows heart rate, lowers blood pressure, and improves circulation, ultimately providing more energy.

3. Ditch (or limit) sugar

You’ve heard it before and you’ll hear it again. Sugar is (kind of) the enemy. I talked about this at length here. When you consume sugar or something sweet, your blood sugar spikes, which gives you a short-lived surge in energy. Then what happens? You crash and burn, because your blood sugar drops, leaving you feeling like you’ve been hit by a bus. Do that multiple times a day, and it’s no wonder you’re exhausted by 6 pm. Wanna break up with your sweet tooth for good? Read this.

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.

4. Get some shut-eye

Yes, it’s so obvious, but alas, it must be said. For lots of reasons (stress, Facebook addictions, and Downton Abbey marathons), we’re not getting enough sleep, which contributes to our constant energy drain. Adults should aim to get 7-8 hours of sleep every night. How, you ask? Make a nightly date with your pillow – and honor it – and power off all things with a cord or battery one hour before hitting the sack. This helps to shut your brain down before you begin the sheep countdown.

5. Detox your liver

The liver is constantly working to break down toxins in your food and environment that you are exposed to 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 reboot 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 your liver 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 grads have to say about the program:

“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 & Mom of 4

“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 & Mom of 2

“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. 

Learn more here.

What tips would you add to naturally boost energy? I’d LOVE to hear! Please leave a comment.