Powerful Energy Boosters
Daily Tips with Staying Power
late (EGCG), that boost metabolism and stoke the metabolic fires,” she says. Plus, because most people have less-than-perfect diets, certain supple- ments can help raise energy levels and enhance overall health. Gerbstadt recommends vitamin D for those that don’t spend much time in the sun, to enhance immune function; fish oil for non-fish eaters for heart and brain health; and all B-vitamins to support everyone’s natural energy production.
Manage Stress
“Stress is one of the biggest energy zap- pers of physical, emotional and spiritual energy,” says Jon Gordon, of Jackson- ville, Florida, author of The Energy Bus and consultant to Fortune 500 compa- nies, sports teams, hospitals and schools on the subject of staying positive. Exercise, a widely acknowledged
by Kathleen Barnes
Many Americans occasionally complain of having a lack of energy, and for some it’s a daily experience. Low energy levels can arise from a number of underlying factors, but poor diet and ongoing stress are the most likely culprits.
Eat Right A consistently healthy diet can be the missing key ingredient to maintaining high energy in the long term, along with avoiding short-term energy dips. A diet featuring antioxidant-rich veg- etables, healthy carbohydrates, low-fat proteins and healthy fats will not only keep energy levels high, it’s also es- sential to long-term health, according to Dr. Christine Gerbstadt, a registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. “If you think of getting energy from a cup of coffee or a candy bar, understand that it’s just a quick boost that doesn’t last long,” advises Gerb-
stadt, author of The Doctor’s Detox Diet. “The kind of energy you get from complex carbs and whole grains will stay with you.”
Adding a little protein, like a piece of low-fat cheese or a dollop of peanut butter on a whole grain cracker, will keep energy steady for even longer, starting with breakfast.
Gerbstadt further notes that a mid-afternoon energy drop may be due to a blood sugar dip. The carb/protein plan also works well at these times, or a cup of green tea might just hit the spot. “Green tea does deliver some caffeine, but it has literally hundreds of antioxidants, like epigallocatechin gal-
energy booster, does double duty in moderating stress, according to the experts. Gordon’s prime recommenda- tion for vanquishing it is a combina- tion of exercise and emotional balanc- ing: “You can’t be under stress and thankful at the same time,” he says. “So take a ‘thank-you’ walk every day and get the benefits of the physical exercise, as well as shifting emotions to a more positive state.” Dr. Judith Orloff, author of Posi-
tive Energy, adds, “Walking meditations are joyous exercises in mindfulness, putting one foot in front of the other and being in the now; set your critical mind aside to be replenished by the energy of the air, greenery and nature. “I also practice this short medi- tation throughout the day to calm myself and become more energized and clear,” she says. “For just three minutes, I close my eyes, focus on my breath and then envision a positive im- age, such as the night sky reflected in a body of water. These mini-tune-ups get you back to yourself, so you are cen- tered and clear to continue your day.”
Kathleen Barnes is the author of numer- ous natural health books, including The Super Simple HCG Diet. Learn more at
KathleenBarnes.com.
natural awakenings July 2013 37
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