2008 Woodie Awards
Making the most of your day
Ceren Akinci
Issue date: 4/27/06 Section: Features
- Page 1 of 1
Your diet, sleeping habits and the way you breathe can all have an effect on your energy level. There are some important things you can do today, to have more energy for tomorrow.
The most important part of being healthy is getting enough sleep. Although eight hours is essential, what time you go to bed also plays an important role.
WebMd recommends going to bed around 10 p.m. in order to develop a healthy cycle and sleeping habit. The human body restores itself following a 24-hour cycle linked to the natural day light. Getting eight hours of sleep during the night, instead of during the daytime helps the restorative process. It is possible to feel tired after sleeping for more than eight hours. An example would be if you were to go to bed at 4 am and wake up the next day around noon.
A poor diet is another contributor to the deficiency of energy. Having too much sugar and caffeine can lead to fluctuations in the blood sugar, alternating the body from having too much energy to having a major burn out. According to SELF magazine, low fat foods should be carefully monitored to avoid the consumption of unnecessary sugar, which is often added for taste in processed food that is low or non-fat.
Important changes in your eating habits, such as adding more protein to your diet will help increase your energy levels by giving your body the nutrients it needs to remain strong.
Leafy vegetables, almonds, figs are all considered alkaline foods and aid in the balance of the human body. According to Cathy Wong, MD, who specializes in alternative medicine, foods that are high in alkaline help keep the human body healthy and energized by maintaining its Ph level range of 7.36 to 7.44.
The most important part of any diet as well as one that promotes more energy is keeping your body hydrated by drinking at least eight servings of water. According to Wong, not getting enough water is one of the main reasons for low energy levels.
If you experience a slump mid afternoon and find it's hard to stay awake, try taking a small walk to increase your energy level. Even 15 minutes will help you fight off feeling sluggish. If you have the chance, fit in a quick nap. Regardless of how brief it is, the rest will still help your body regain energy.
A small snack that is not high in sugar can also act as a pick me up. Avoiding a lunch that is high in fat or carbohydrates will keep you away from feeling sleepy mid afternoon. Nutrients such as Iron as well as Vitamin C are also essential. Vitamin C helps your body absorb iron, a big part of hemoglobin that carries oxygen to your cells. Legumes such as lentils, beans, dark greens are all great sources of iron. Vitamin C on the other hand is found in fruits such as oranges, red berries and kiwi, according to fruitarian.com.
With proper diet, plenty of water and eight hours of rest, your body will have all of the resources it needs in order to replenish and feel revived. It is also equally important to avoid sugary foods and caffeine in order to prevent your body from feeling burned out.
The most important part of being healthy is getting enough sleep. Although eight hours is essential, what time you go to bed also plays an important role.
WebMd recommends going to bed around 10 p.m. in order to develop a healthy cycle and sleeping habit. The human body restores itself following a 24-hour cycle linked to the natural day light. Getting eight hours of sleep during the night, instead of during the daytime helps the restorative process. It is possible to feel tired after sleeping for more than eight hours. An example would be if you were to go to bed at 4 am and wake up the next day around noon.
A poor diet is another contributor to the deficiency of energy. Having too much sugar and caffeine can lead to fluctuations in the blood sugar, alternating the body from having too much energy to having a major burn out. According to SELF magazine, low fat foods should be carefully monitored to avoid the consumption of unnecessary sugar, which is often added for taste in processed food that is low or non-fat.
Important changes in your eating habits, such as adding more protein to your diet will help increase your energy levels by giving your body the nutrients it needs to remain strong.
Leafy vegetables, almonds, figs are all considered alkaline foods and aid in the balance of the human body. According to Cathy Wong, MD, who specializes in alternative medicine, foods that are high in alkaline help keep the human body healthy and energized by maintaining its Ph level range of 7.36 to 7.44.
The most important part of any diet as well as one that promotes more energy is keeping your body hydrated by drinking at least eight servings of water. According to Wong, not getting enough water is one of the main reasons for low energy levels.
If you experience a slump mid afternoon and find it's hard to stay awake, try taking a small walk to increase your energy level. Even 15 minutes will help you fight off feeling sluggish. If you have the chance, fit in a quick nap. Regardless of how brief it is, the rest will still help your body regain energy.
A small snack that is not high in sugar can also act as a pick me up. Avoiding a lunch that is high in fat or carbohydrates will keep you away from feeling sleepy mid afternoon. Nutrients such as Iron as well as Vitamin C are also essential. Vitamin C helps your body absorb iron, a big part of hemoglobin that carries oxygen to your cells. Legumes such as lentils, beans, dark greens are all great sources of iron. Vitamin C on the other hand is found in fruits such as oranges, red berries and kiwi, according to fruitarian.com.
With proper diet, plenty of water and eight hours of rest, your body will have all of the resources it needs in order to replenish and feel revived. It is also equally important to avoid sugary foods and caffeine in order to prevent your body from feeling burned out.