Waking up tired? Hitting a wall around 3 p.m.? Or maybe you’ve noticed that your energy levels aren’t what they used to be.

Nowadays, with everyday stresses and activities, it can be hard to run at full speed all of the time. Sometimes there are days when you just want to crawl back into bed and deal with it all tomorrow. Believe me, I’ve been there. A LOT.

Most of us can identify with wanting more energy to enjoy life, but feeling full of vitality doesn’t have to be complicated or hard. 

Check out some of our favorite natural ways to fix your energy crisis when you’ve hit that slump.

NATURAL SECRETS TO ALL-DAY ENERGY

GET MORE SLEEP

Althought it may seem like a no-brainer, sleep deprivation is a major reason behind high stress and low energy, but it is often overlooked.

In a survey of 1,000 people taken by the Better Sleep Council, half said they don’t get enough sleep, and four out of five felt that lack of sleep increases stress. However, fewer than half of those who lacked sleep took any specific action to correct the situation.

Symptoms of sleep deprivation include sluggish thinking, feeling cranky and even hallucinating.

If you’re having trouble sleeping, try some of our favorite tips:

• Keep a consistent sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same times each day, including weekends. This will help regulate your internal body clock.
• Eliminate caffeine after 3 p.m. — the effects can last up to 12 hours.
• Write out what’s stressing you out or keeping you up at night before heading to bed.

Get more tips to fall asleep and get more sleep.

GET ENOUGH IRON

Constantly dragging yourself around? You could have iron-deficiency anemia, a common cause of fatigue. Iron is essential for producing hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to your body’s cells, where it is used to produce energy.

Good food sources of iron are red meat, iron-fortified cereal, green leafy vegetables and dried beans. You may also need a supplement; check with your doctor.

GET MORE DAYLIGHT

Being exposed to more natural light during the day makes it easier to get better sleep and boosts energy. Researchers at Northwestern Medicine and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found that office workers with windows were more physically active and energetic.

When you are feeling the 3 p.m. drag, get up and go for a quick walk outside. Just the act of moving and being outside in the sun and fresh air will be enough to energize you for the remainder of the day.

DRINK ICE WATER

Fatigue is often one of the first symptoms of dehydration, and if all you’ve sipped all day is coffee and soft drinks, it’s quite likely you’re dehydrated. Plus, the refreshing coldness will serve as a virtual slap in the face. For some simple hacks to stay hydrated, click here.

EAT SOMETHING CRUNCHY

Pretzels, carrots, celery and other crunchy foods make your jaw work hard, which can wake up your facial muscles, helping you feel more alert.

EAT EVERY 4 HOURS

It’s much better to continually refuel your body before it hits empty than to wait until you’re in the danger zone and then overdo it. So every four hours (except, of course, when you’re sleeping), have a mini-meal or snack. A mini-meal might be a handful of roasted peanuts, a hard-boiled egg or slice of lean luncheon meat and a sliced apple. Nonfat yogurt sprinkled with flaxseeds also makes a great snack.

STRETCH

Stand up, get on your toes and lift your fingertips as close as you can to the ceiling. Keep the stretch expanding for several seconds, feeling it in your calves, your abdomen, your shoulders, your arms, your fingers. After a few seconds, relax, take a few deep breaths, and do it again. By doing this, you activate almost every muscle you have, sending oxygen-rich blood throughout your body. These energizing stretches you can even do in your bed.

REDUCE CARBS

While they do provide your body with energy, foods heavy in carbohydrates can leave you feeling sluggish. The main culprit? Simple carbs, like those found in sugary drinks, cookies, and processed foods (think white bread and pasta), which burn through your body quickly. Though they provide a fast boost of energy, it’s quickly followed by a crash as your blood sugar spikes and then drops. 

The solution? Stick to whole-grain, low-glycemic carbohydrates that take the body longer to digest and avoid the crash and burn effect. Nuts, legumes, sweet potatoes, oats and brown rice are all low-glycemic carbohydrates that will provide the body with a steady supply of energy.

EAT CHIA SEEDS

If your only experience with Chia seeds is the Chia pet, prepare to be pleasantly surprised. These magic little seeds will boost energy levels and provide your body with a lot of nutritional bang for the buck. 

The ancient Mayans and Aztecs used to ingest Chia seeds to keep up energy and alertness among warriors during war. For us mere mortals, the essential fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6) found in Chia seeds help regulate glands, fight adrenal fatigue, and combat inflammation, which keeps your body feeling fresh. Combined with high levels of protein and fiber, which keep blood sugar stable (no afternoon sugar crashes!), and it’s no wonder chia seeds are being heralded as a superfood.

Add them to your favorite smoothie or oatmeal in the morning for an added boost. 

EXERCISE DAILY

Are you wiped out after a tough workout? Take solace in the fact that incorporating regular exercise into your routine will actually boost energy levels. Torching calories and engaging in physical activity sends oxygen and nutrients to your body’s cells, helping your heart and lungs work more efficiently and boosting energy levels.

And remember, you don’t need to run a marathon to get the benefits — moderate levels of your favorite fitness activity will reap energy benefits, too.

DRINK PLENTY OF TEA

Coffee isn’t the only option when you need a pick-me-up. Sipping on oolong tea can provide an all-natural temporary boost in energy levels without the risk of scary stimulants or processed ingredients.

Oolong tea contains both caffeine and L-theanine, which help to send energizing signals to your brain to keep your mind sharp all day long. This, in turn, keeps your body energized – when your mind is awake, your body is awake. 

Oolong tea is also jam packed full of antioxidants and polyphenols to keep your immune system strong, your metabolism revved up, your blood sugar levels stable, your sugar cravings at bay, your heart healthy and your energy levels boosted.

Our Oolong Tea is 100% Pure, Premium Oolong with NO harmful additives, NO GMOs, NO pesticides, NO artificial colors/flavors, and NO corn/soy. This is a stark contrast to the average grocery store teas you can find these days.

Trying some of these natural energy fixes should help get you through the day without resorting to unhealthy alternatives. Do you have any other tips to keep your energy going strong all day long? Let me know in the comments below.

Yours in Health & Happiness,

Chrissy

P.S. We know it can be hard to drink our recommended 2 cups of Oolong tea each day, that’s why we have created an Oolong Tea Challenge. We have seen AMAZING results from customers who drink 2 cups per day and we want to challenge you to see those same results! Depending on your goals, we will have a 30-day, 60-day and 90-day challenge to keep up with your progress. At each challenge point, there will be a prize for the ‘Smallest Winner’. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to change your life and win some free stuff! (More details to come – watch your email) Sign up here!