Boomers have a reputation for having an excess of energy even in their later years, and yet a common complaint that plagues them is fatigue. We all have those days when we get out of bed still feeling tired and just can’t seem to shake the feeling all day. You’re slow with actions, slow to thought and it can be a real chore to get even the simplest of tasks done. Needless to say this is not the ideal way to be feeling during a work day, but luckily there are a number of healthy and effective ways to boost your energy and get you back to your old self.
Remember, if you find yourself becoming fatigued more often than usual, it could be a sign of a larger medical issue and you should consult your doctor as soon as possible.
Start the day off right.
Your morning sets the stage for how your day will go, so you want to make it an energy-boosting one. There are a number of things that help your mind get out of sleep mode and ready for the day, such as getting some sunlight in your bedroom, a nice shower, and avoiding screens for the morning. There are more effective strategies that you should make time for such as going for a morning walk. A little exercise can go a long way in waking you up for the day. And of course, allow yourself to sit down and enjoy a healthy energy-boosting breakfast. It is the most important meal of the day for a reason.
Bring the right lunch.
Speaking of eating right, lunch is another important factor in fighting off fatigue. Sometimes it can be hard to have the foresight to consider noon the next day when you’re packing you lunch the night before, but lunch time is usually when that morning energy starts to fade and you need a little help the rest of the way. Taking the easy way out and grabbing some fast food will only slow you down and add to your fatigue. Try some more energizing choices that will help keep your head up in the afternoon.
Avoid the coffee, go with tea.
So many people swear by coffee as the life-saver that gets them through their work days, but those people are likely unaware how little that coffee is actually helping them. Do you ever have those days where you’re so fatigued at work that you need three-four cups of coffee just to stay awake? It’s not because you’re so tired you actually need that much caffeine, it’s because, like all stimulants, you crash after you’re caffeine high. Switch to the healthier and more effective option of tea. It may be a difficult transition at first but soon you won’t even notice the difference.
Step away from the screens.
There are few jobs these days that don’t involve you sitting at a computer for extended hours. I’m sure many of us spend the majority of the day staring at a screen and while it may be necessary for the job, it does add to your tiredness. Give your eyes and your mind a break every once in a while. Every hour, take a few minutes to step away from the screens and refresh. It might not seem like much but it’s helps avoid feeling drained later in the day.
Get a lunchtime walk in.
Just as with the morning, starting the afternoon with some light exercise is a great way get your muscles moving, your heart pumping and your energy raised a little bit higher. Now we don’t all have the luxury of hour-long lunches bit surely we can step away from the desk for at least 15 minutes to get some fresh air and a little movement.
Cold water.
Sometimes the classics are classics for a reason. Cold water is a pretty effective remedy for waking your up. Splash some on your face or even running your wrists under cold water for a couple minutes has been shown to work. Admittedly, this is a bit of ‘desperate times’ scenario, but it’s easy, quick and completely harmless. What more could you ask for?