We have normalized being tired during the day, with the assertion that it is part of the modern world and we fill ourselves with excuses that keep us away from our best version of ourselves. The good news is that today you can start implementing daily practices in your life and connect with your body and what nourishes it to gain energy and vitality. It's never too late to start!
From my experience as a Health Coach, it is common to meet women with energy levels of 4 or lower on a scale of 1 to 10. Despite leading active and successful lives, many times they feel that their body is not giving them enough and yet they continue to give 200% ignoring what their body is alerting them to. What would work best in these cases is to review the situation, remove possible causing agents, repair the body and restart with new habits. To improve the quality of life, it is essential to shift the focus to habits and practices that support the balance of body and mind. Some important steps to follow are:
1. Listen to your body: Pay attention to the signals your body is sending you and address any discomfort or imbalance instead of ignoring it or soothing it with medication. I remember when I was suffering from permanent discomfort in the esophagus area to the point that I was already taking antacids frequently and even considering having an endoscopy to see what was wrong with me. Before scheduling the endoscopy, I decided to undertake an elimination diet, which allowed me to clearly identify corn and vegetable oils as the cause of the inflammation. The news was discouraging in that I was going to have to limit as much as possible my consumption of the "tortillas" I loved and fried foods, but in return I was able to free myself from a discomfort that was affecting my health and well-being. It is amazing to see how a small change could help you identify the underlying causes of a discomfort that is already part of your life.
2. Eat mindfully: Foods that contain a lot of sugar and/or unhealthy fats (think super-processed foods and fried foods) as well as diets rich in carbohydrates, grains and cereals, top the list of pro-inflammatory foods that only give you short-term, inefficient energy. Opt for a balanced diet, rich in fresh, natural and nutritious foods. Incorporate animal protein (fish, seafood, red meat, white meat, eggs), add healthy fats (butter, ghee, coconut oil, olive oil), include milk derivatives with their fat (cheeses, unsweetened yogurt, butter, cream), eat vegetables and seasonal fruits. This type of diet can be of great help to give you what your body needs to function in the day and that really nourishes you.
3. Manage stress: Chronic stress causes an increase in hormones (such as cortisol and adrenaline) that directly cause a drain on energy. For example, if you have an autoimmune skin disorder, such as psoriasis or acne, you've probably seen this phenomenon yourself, when after a few days of high stress the outbreak flares up. Look for techniques to manage stress and promote mental and emotional balance. Meditation, yoga, spending time outdoors and practicing gratitude are just a few options that can help reduce stress and energize you.
4. Stay active: Exercise has great benefits for the body, including your gut health. Find an activity that you enjoy and motivates you to move. You don't need to run marathons all the time, play tennis for hours or do three spinning classes to gain energy. On the contrary! Excessive cardiovascular exercise generates stress to the body, the impossibility of burning fat and an immense energy drain, so I recommend that, if you practice it, you do it moderately, sporadically and complement it with strength and stretching exercises 3 to 5 times a week. If you don't like to exercise and you are just starting to get into the habit, choose an activity that you can do for five minutes a day. The next week, do it for seven minutes and so on.
5. Rest: Prioritizing quality sleep is essential for the body's recovery. Establishing a regular sleep routine and creating an environment conducive to rest can make a big difference in overall health. This involves removing electronics from your bedroom and limiting artificial light at night. I find that when you give your body time to rest and decrease stress, it is easier to make sensible decisions regarding your diet, to stay active the next day without having to rely on sugar, carbohydrates, coffee or stimulants to "survive".
6. Connect with nature: Spend time outdoors and in contact with nature as much as possible, as it can have positive effects on physical and emotional well-being, helping to improve your mood. The sun is your best ally as a source of vitamin D, calcium absorption and generator of melatonin that your body will use at night. Likewise, connecting with the earth by walking barefoot on the grass, gardening or eating outdoors are some activities you can start doing during the day.
Start by listening to your body and heeding the signals it sends you. Empowering yourself through information and making conscious decisions about your health will allow you to live a fuller life in harmony with your body and mind. So, start implementing daily practices today that will help you regain your energy and vitality! Your body will thank you and you will be even more productive.
Disclaimer:
"The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only, and is made available as self-help tools for your own use; it is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult with a health care professional."
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