Society today is growing more and more energy hungry. Numerous energy supplements are continually popping up everywhere. From grocery stores, pharmacies, to gas stations there are racks upon racks of energy bars at check-out counters, countless bottles of energy supplements, energy drinks of all sorts of names, shapes, colors, and taste. Everyone seem to want more energy whether they be men, women, young or old.
Here are a few tips on getting energized naturally:
Food is the biggest source of energy for man. Food is supposed to provide fuel for the body to burn and function properly. A high carbohydrate diet is essential to high energy production. The low-carb craze is recommended for people with a rather sedentary lifestyle, so they do not store calories not used.
The active person needs energy, and carbs provide that needed energy. The mechanism of digested carbs, oxygen and blood flow provide millions of energy boosting molecules to cells and tissues to energize the body to take on daunting tasks. The lack of energy suffered by people with a poor diet is hardly news.
See The Bushman’s “Fitness Secret Weapons 2 Thrive On” for more on energizing foods.
The human body is composed of 75% water. Without water we can hardly function. The blood needs water to transport nutrient to sites where they are needed, the brain needs water to function. Make sure to stay adequately hydrated if you are looking to boost energy. Sip water all day (weight in pounds and water in a 2:1 ratio), adding an extra 20oz per hour of exercise.
You also want to make sure you are replacing your body with electrolytes during exercise. When we exercise, we sweat. In sweat is some electrolytes lost, so replacing the body with electrolytes help prevent against cramping and injury and therefore allow for minimal interruption to energy production. Herbal liquid, Colloidal Minerals is an excellent source of electrolyte replacement. It is turbo fuel to cells and tissues for energy production. Stay away from sodas, they are made of carbonated water that depletes oxygen in the body and drains energy.
Adding a little sea salt to your water also does that. So, before stacking up sports drinks in your pantry, make sure to read the ingredients label carefully to know exactly what you are getting. Many sports drinks contain dyes, preservatives and other nutrients that compromise the goal of energy boosting. Instead try our Ultimate Green Zone, it is easily metabolized into energy and helps promote proper bodily functions such as waste elimination.
Breathing is another key to energy generation. The organs and cells of the body need oxygen to function properly. As a matter of fact, the muscles need to be supplied plenty of oxygen during exercise, if not the brain shuts everything down before you hurt yourself. The brain itself shuts down without adequate oxygen. That is why we yawn, the brain triggers such an act to draw more oxygen to it.
It is amazing that something that comes naturally, that we do unconsciously still needs to be learned. Proper breathing is almost always overlooked. Lets do a session right now! Seat up straight, place finger tips on belly button. Take a deep breath and release. If your shoulders raised when you inhaled you did it wrong. Your stomach is supposed to rise not the shoulders. Martial artists and singers practice and use this proper breathing technique. It generates energy from your very core. We all can benefit from proper breathing techniques.
Stretching ensures proper blood flow to every area of the body. More blood means more nutrients and better functioning of organs. Stretching also improves flexibility, which is necessary for strength and better performance in range of motion. Everflex, is a supplement that promotes joint health and enhances flexibility. See The Bushman’s guidelines on stretching in our exercise page.
The best for last: Sleep. Sleep and rest are the most important and neglected aids to energy production in society today. A well rested body is an energized body. That is why sleep was created, for us to rest and recharge. The continued outbreak of energy pills and supplements make it clear that energy is much needed in our fast paced world. People are always on the go, claiming that life is more hectic than it once was. Is this true? Or we just want to believe that? Priority rules: which is higher on your priority list, well rested which translates into more energy and better immune function, or low energy and a compromised immune function due to lack of sleep?
Make time to rest, to sleep. If you wake up in the morning with an alarm, you are not getting enough sleep. The Bushmen do not have alarm clocks, they wake up well rested. I know you think you have a lot to do. Consider this, they will not get done if you are not energized, so prepare yourself for the tasks ahead by getting enough sleep. Herbs such as Chamomile, Kava Kava, and Valerian ensure you experience a deep, uninterrupted sleep, to wake up energized without the morning drag, even if you sleep for a short time.