Energy: /ˈɛnədʒi/
noun 1. the strength and vitality required for sustained physical or mental activity
Do you feel fatigued, lethargic and unmotivated? Like you want to want to eat healthily and exercise, but you just can't bring yourself to actually do it? I've been there too. And to be honest, sometimes it still gets me in waves. But not like the huge tidal waves of fatigue I use to have. And. this time I have more tools in my toolbelt to get me back to homeostasis.
Here are a few ways to know if you need help re-tuning your energy levels:
Symptoms:
You sleep for hours but don't feel refreshed
You don't get excited about the things you normally would
Your body feels like it's full of lead weight and the thought of exercising ( let alone getting of the sofa) is out of the question
You crave heavy, carb-y, greasy foods
You get hit by the 3 o'clock slump
You rely on sugar or caffeine to keep you going
You spend hours scrolling on instagram or facebook
You are not good at decision-making
You experience moodiness and irritability
You have poor concentration How many do you tick? I know at one point in my life, I ticked all of the above.
So perhaps you've recognised that there is a problem with your energy. But what is causing it? And more importantly, how do you fix it?
I'm glad you asked...
Causes of low energy
The causes can stem from multiple places, often they'll fall into one, or many of the categories below:
Mind
Stress ( financial, career, relationship, political...)
Grief
Depression
Anxiety
Body
Poor sleep
Mitochondrial dysfunction
Poor diet
Dehydration
Overload of stimulants ( Drugs, alcohol, caffeine, sugars)
Underlying medical causes
Infection ( viral, parasitic, inflammation)
Sedentary behaviour
Spirit
Lacking a sense of purpose
Lack of connection to community
Lack of connection to the natural world
Loss of daily joys
So how do we improve our energy?
By addressing the underlying causes that are relevant to you. You know that my approach, using holistic nutrition based on Functional Medicine model, is all about getting to the root cause. More often than not, the root cause is not a one size fits all. You might need testing, more targeted nutrition protocols, coaching or referral depending on your root cause. Working with a practitioner can help you drill down here and create a plan that works for you to get results that are sustainable and manageable.
If you want to DIY your way out of an energy slump, here are a few simple wins for more energy. These are focusing on the body and will give you a strong foundation to work from. No solid foundation = unstable structure.
Simple Wins
Drink 2 litres of water a day
Practice blood sugar balancing eating
Move your body for 30 minutes a day
Create a clean sleep routine
Time off screens
Practice mindfulness for your brain and for your gut .
Start small
Starting with all 7 at once will be overwhelming - especially as if you're here, you're most likely already struggling with your energy. So the key is to PICK ONE. I know, it sounds too easy. But trust me, pick one and get really good at it. So much so that it becomes ingrained in your habit.
A gift for you
Do you have a hectic schedule?
Do you do spend time doing things that drain you?
Do you love aesthetic spreadsheets or productivity platforms?
I made you a special tool to help you reclaim your time to focus on what matters the most:
Got any questions? Pop me an email or give me a call - I'm always happy to chat!