Some of us have an off-day here or there or feel run down and fatigued.  Often, the work week, daily stress, what we are eating or even drinking can all have a negative effect on us. But there are some simple ways to boost your energy so you can get back to life.

• Think positive.  You don’t have to be ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ but try to see the positive side of things. You weren’t able to lift as many reps you wanted today. Did you make some other progress? Maybe you’ve plateaued and can’t get your time down. There is always tomorrow.
• Music soothes the savage beast, right?  Well, some of us are beasts when it comes to our fitness.  As you can tell by walking into almost any gym…music is inspiring. But it can also relax us and help reduce anxiety. So, pump up those jams.
• Eat right. Feed your body premium fuel so it can perform at its best. Choosing healthy, nutritious foods can give you the energy your body needs and help you to lose weight.
• Exercise.  It increases your energy level believe it or not.  It can also enhance your mood.
• Sleep. You have to rest properly to feel good.  Some of us need more, some of us need less, but we all need sleep. If you are exercising, eating right and taking your vitamins, the missing link is likely sleep.  There’s nothing like a restful night to make you feel refreshed and ready to regain your energy.
• Hydrate. Dehydration can cause you to feel fatigued. Drink fluids especially following a workout, whether it’s lifting weights, running or swimming, your body craves the fluids that you’ve depleted. And it goes without saying that alcohol dehydrates you.
• Lower your sugar and caffeine intake. Sugar provides a temporary energy boost only to give way to an energy slump that can leave you feeling more sluggish than you were in the first place. So beware those energy drinks that are chock-full of caffeine and sugar.
• Stress less. Stress wears on your energy stores over time. Do things that relax you.
• Stop to breathe. Deep breathing can help you to feel less tense when you are feeling stressed. Breathing deeply causes more oxygen to be forced into your body’s cells which in turn lowers your heart rate and blood pressure and increases circulation.
• Last but not least: power snack.  Eat a healthy snack, like nuts that are a good protein source, whole grain crackers, or a few apple slices that supply the body with complex carbohydrates for energy. It can give you that little pick-me-up in the mid-morning or afternoon.

Sources:
9 Energy Boosters. Realsimple.com. 2011. 10 Jun. 2011. [http://www.realsimple.com/health/fitness-
exercise/9-energy-boosters-10000001171644/page2.html].
Bouchez, Colette. Top 10 Ways to Boost Your Energy. WebMD.com. 20 Jul. 2009. 10 Jun. 2011.
[http://women.webmd.com/features/10-energy-boosters?page=4].
Diet, Exercise and Sleep. Sleepfoundation.org. 2011. 10 Jun. 2011. [http://www.sleepfoundation.org/article/sleep-topics/diet-exercise-and-sleep].