TOP CAUSES FOR LOW ENERGY LEVELS
Low energy can make it difficult to get anything done or fully enjoy time with friends and family. Here are the top 9 causes of low energy and what you can do to boost your energy naturally.
1. QUALITY OF SLEEP
Have you ever woken up from a full eight hours of sleep feeling exhausted? If so, there’s a good chance that your quality of sleep is the culprit. Just because you sleep a long time doesn’t mean you’re getting the REM your body needs to make repairs and help you wake up feeling refreshed. As your day continues, you may find that you get tired easily or from tasks that aren’t typically draining.
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Sleep is crucial for your overall health and well being. If you aren’t sleeping well, there are plenty of things you can do to ensure you’re getting enough shut-eye.
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Practice good sleep hygiene by making some adjustments to your bedtime routine.
2. HYDRATION
Hydration is an essential part of your everyday life, but it can be easy to neglect when you’re busy or preoccupied. Dehydration doesn’t need to be severe for you to feel an impact on your energy levels. Dehydration deprives your cells of the fluid they need to do their jobs. When your cells aren’t working in top condition, your energy levels can dip.
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Your metabolism plays a large role in creating energy for you to use throughout your day. Dehydration can inhibit how effectively your metabolism processes food, which in turn can mean low energy levels.
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In addition to how well your metabolism is functioning, dehydration can cause a wide range of problems including headaches, difficulty concentrating or focusing, and malaise. All of these conditions can sap your energy levels even further.
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Fortunately, it’s as easy as grabbing a glass of water to help support normal energy levels and keep you feeling great year-round. IV hydration is a great way to fully re-hydrate and give your cells the boost they need to make sure you are feeling energised.
3. DIETARY REVIEW
Carbohydrates are a necessary part of your diet, providing short-term energy and supporting healthy digestion. However, everything has a limit. A diet heavy in carbs can contribute to lethargy and low energy.
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Choose a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and lean protein. While a treat every now and then won’t hurt, try to avoid excessively sugary foods and high-carb diets. You may need to experiment with some trial and error, but your body – and your energy levels – will thank you in the long run.
4. TOO MUCH ACTIVITY
In this productivity-driven world, it’s easy to feel like taking some down time somehow means you’re dropping the ball. Your body needs time to relax and recharge, and as much as you might like to think otherwise, unfortunately, you can’t do it all.
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Prioritise what you need to do and take some time out for yourself on the weekends.
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If you can, avoid your phone or social media for a set amount of time – these devices can drain your energy, too.
5. VITAMIN DEFICIENCY
Vitamin deficiencies happen when your body has less of a specific vitamin (or vitamins) than it needs to function normally. This condition is more common than you might think, and can even happen if you have a healthy diet or take supplements, as some people’s vitamin deficiencies stem from genetic or underlying conditions.
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Low energy is just one potential symptom of a vitamin deficiency. A lab test is required in order to determine if you are vitamin deficient.
6. STRESS
High blood pressure, insomnia, and a loss of appetite are all common symptoms of stress. However, stress doesn’t always manifest itself in obvious ways. Sometimes, persistent low-grade stress can creep in and sap your energy subtly.
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If you think stress might be contributing to your low energy levels, it may be time to take a couple of days to yourself. Booking a full vacation may not be in everyone’s budget, but a staycation can be just as effective at giving yourself the opportunity to recharge.
7. TOO MUCH EXERCISE
When you exercise, you’re effectively damaging your muscles to help them rebuild. It’s important to give your body adequate rest and nutrition to support healthy muscle growth.
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Take a day off from the gym or decrease the intensity of your workout and see if that helps improve your energy levels. If you feel better after getting some rest, it may be a sign to scale back your workouts and build up to your next milestone more slowly.
8. YOU’RE EXERCISING TOO LITTLE
While exercising too much can cause your low energy levels, exercising too little can contribute to lethargy as well. You don’t have to commit to becoming the next world-class triathlete; even being active for 20 minutes a day, 3 times a week can improve how much energy you have. Give it a try – you’ll notice your energy levels improving the longer you stick with being active
9. HEAVY METALS WEIGHING YOU DOWN
Heavy metals refer to natural and man made metals that you are exposed to on a given day. These metals include:
Zinc
Arsenic
Lead
Cadmium
Copper
Mercury
Your body can process small amounts of heavy metal naturally. In fact, your body needs trace amounts of some types of heavy metals, such as zinc, to function normally. The problems only start when your body cannot keep up with processing the amount of heavy metals you are exposed to. Gradually, long-term accumulation can contribute to symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, and low energy. The only way to know for certain if you have heavy metal toxicity is with a lab test. The best way to avoid heavy metal toxicity is to avoid the environmental factors in your life that are contributing to this build-up. You can also get IV therapy to cleanse heavy metals from your body. This type of therapy detoxifies your body of both heavy metals and free radicals by flushing them out of your system.