5 Ways to Naturally Maintain Your Energy Levels

Do you find yourself hitting the snooze button a few too many times in the morning?

Those extra few minutes of stolen sleep might seem like a good idea at the time, but often leave you feeling even more sluggish.

The resulting rush to get out the door on time really doesn’t seem worth it! Imagine setting yourself up for the day ahead with a morning routine that leaves you well-rested and raring to go. Here are five ways to avoid a frantic flurry of coats and keys and set the stage for a productive day:

1. Set yourself up for a good night’s sleep

Starting the day full of energy actually starts the night before. Get to bed at roughly the same time each night and avoid too much screen time, so your body knows it’s time to wind down. If your room is too hot or slivers of light are sneaking around the curtains, it can be hard to fall asleep. Create a peaceful environment for sleep by keeping your room as a comfortable temperature and dark as possible, and you’ll give yourself the best chance of drifting off quickly.

In the morning, wake yourself up naturally with a light alarm and wash away any grogginess with a revitalising shower. You can save precious moments in the morning by taking a few minutes the night before to pack your bag and lay out all the clothes and items you’ll need.

2. Try an iron-rich smoothie for a natural energy boost

A nutrient-packed diet that nurtures your mind and body is one of the most important ways to sustain your energy levels throughout the day. Start your day with a nourishing breakfast high in vitamins and minerals to fuel your morning and beyond. Why not find some inspiration with our selection of deliciously easy iron-rich smoothie recipes?

While many consider breakfast to be the most important meal of the day, listen to your body. If you’re not really hungry first thing, stick to herbal tea and water. Perhaps take a healthy snack such as fruit, yoghurt or nuts to enjoy later on. Try to keep alcohol and caffeinated drinks to a minimise sabotaging your energy levels.

3. Take a moment to calm the mind

Feeling stressed out can make your body feel as though it’s going at 100 miles an hour. This is a massive drain on your energy, which can leave you feeling exhausted further down the line when that initial burst of adrenaline wears off. Manage feelings of worry or overwhelm by starting your day with a quick yoga stretch to waken tired muscles, get blood flowing and focus the mind on feelings of peace and calm.

You can return to these yogic breathing practices at any point later in the day to remind yourself of that centred feeling.

4. Sweat it out with an active start to the day

If yoga is a little too chilled out for you, why not take your morning movement up a notch with some higher-energy physical activity? Studies suggest that being more active can help you enjoy more health benefits. If you don’t have time for an invigorating run or a trip to the gym before work, switch things up on your commute by walking or cycling for some or all of your journey.

5. Avoid digital distractions to protect your sense of wellbeing

Checking emails, scrolling on social media and glancing at news updates are the first thing many people find themselves doing when they wake up in the morning. Not only can this lead to a longer lie-in than intended, it can also arouse feelings of negativity. Seeing upsetting news stories, photos of people having wonderful holidays, or panicky work emails when you’re not ready to respond is not conducive to a positive start to the day.

Try to postpone logging on until you’re awake and in the right frame of mind to respond.  A morning digital detox might just be the thing you were missing!

Consistency is key

These 5 strategies may take a bit of time to work into your daily routine, but if you can stay consistent over time, your mornings will start to feel organised and those groggy feelings can become a thing of the past. And even though a great morning routine can help maintain your energy levels for the day, don’t forget the little things we do throughout the day also make a massive difference to how rested we feel.

By enjoying food that’s high in nutrients at lunch and dinner, managing feelings of stress, or taking moments throughout the day to practice mindfulness or relaxation, we can help to maintain our energy levels naturally.