WFMW: Tips for More Energy

People are always asking me how do I come to have so much energy. Some of it is my personality and my desire to "get-it-all-done". Some of it is the fact that I'm a perfectionist and sometimes I just can't stop. But, some of it is directly related to some choices I make. I'd like to share those today.

Please know that I am not a health practitioner or expert. I'm just an ordinary wifey and homeschooling mama, who is juggling a million different plates, and who has learned a few tips and tricks to being at my best.

OK...first the obvious things (scroll down if you want to get to the weird ones):

SLEEP - As a person who views sleep as something that I HAVE to do, this one has been a hard one for me to master. I choose many nights to stay up late due to blogging projects or tasks that I want to finish. Then I do the crash and burn in an effort to catch up. This is NOT the way to stay healthy. I don't get sick very often but the times that I do, it has been immediately after days of wearing my body down and not resting to rebuild my energy, immunity, and strength. I can function on 5-6 hours of sleep but eventually it will do me in. The sleep I need to consistently feel energized and rested is about 7-8 hours.

Now...let me say this. I'm not naturally a napper. It makes me feel lazy and I can't seem to justify just laying down in the middle of the day. BUT IT WORKS WONDERS. As busy mothers, we have people pulling on us all day long. Nobody I know in corporate America puts in 17-18 hour days on a regular like we do. We have to build in some R&R or we WILL crash and burn.

From one recovering Martha to another...GET SOME REST!

DRINK WATER - I read somewhere that most people are so consistently dehydrated that they have gotten used to living that way. That fogged brain feeling, the sluggish clogged feeling, and the tension headaches that won't go away, are all symptoms of dehydration. There is no feeling quite like the one I get from having had enough water. For my weight, I should drink 12 glasses, which is 3 quarts or 3/4 of a gallons or about 3 liters of water a day. That's ALOT of water. When I compare what I normally take in when I'm not purposefully drinking lots of water, it's no wonder that I'm dehydrated.

To figure out how much water you need, take your weight in pounds and divide by 2. Then divide by 8 (oz glasses). This will tell you how much you should be drinking. Try it for a few days. Find a glass or container where you can easily keep up with how much you have downed. I promise you will notice a difference.

EAT LIGHT - If you didn't know already, food weighs us down. I'm not going to give a lesson in nutrition here. Just take this as a friendly reminder to eat less and to eat well. Your body will thank you. Don't you know how much energy it takes for your body to break down certain foods? Make better choices and you'll have that energy for other things....like thinking.

EXERCISE - JUST DO IT!...even when you don't feel like it. You don't have to do anything strenuous or super difficult. Just get moving. Not only is there a physical increase in energy, you will also feel empowered for exercising the discipline to make yourself do something you didn't feel like doing.

OK...here are the ones that aren't so obvious...

TAKE PRENATALS (pregnant or not) - I got this advice from a doctor when I was around 25 years old (I'm 35 now) and it was the best advice I've ever received for optimizing my general health aside from good nutrition and exercise. I started out taking prescription prenatals until I discovered from my midwife (uh...yes...I've used a midwife :) that I'd be better off with whole food supplements vs. synthetic. I have taken Rainbow Light Complete Prenatal for about five years now. I feel the difference big time when I don't take it. I ran out just before our road trip so you know I can't wait to get home to buy some more :)

LIQUID CHLOROPHYLL - I had been hearing from numerous sources that it helped with energy. I decided to bite the bullet when an online buddy pregnant with #10 recommended it. She seemed so full of energy all the time! It is virtually tasteless (unless you get mint flavor). You can drink it straight or mix it in another drink. I use the Nature's Sunshine brand

DRINK KOMBUCHA - now remember. I'm not an expert. I'm just sharing the things that I've used that have been followed by a noticeable difference in the way my body feels. I reiterate that point because this tip is a weird one. I have only tried G.T.'s Kombucha and not only does it help me in the energy department but it also keeps my body more alkaline (vs. acidic and sugary). As a person who struggles with candida issues, in a matter of one day, I can tell the difference in my body. It does have a strong taste, but you can definitely get used to it.

If you can't get your hands on Kombucha. Try some Apple Cider Vinegar (organic is best). You can water it down and sweeten with honey if it is just too much for you. If you don't have that, then try just plain old white vinegar. Fermented foods are good for our systems.

GET INSPIRED - Sometimes the lows that we feel are due to emotional lows. Figure out what moves you and do it, view it, or listen to it. For me, music has the power to put me in a good mood when nothing else will do the trick. Just the right CD can motivate me to clean my house, dance while cooking dinner, or finish that last five minutes on the tread mill. Think about what you consider to be beautiful and keep it in plain view. Discover what you can do that makes you feel powerful and alive and make it a habit to put that in your daily routine.

I hope you can benefit from at least one of my tips - even it it served only to remind you of something you know. Remember we are all on a journey, do what you can as you can and know that "Rome wasn't built in a day". Just keep doing what you know to do and the rest will follow. It's all about the journey.

Be sure to check out Rocks in My Dryer for more Works-for-Me Wednesday tips.