Low energy is a common theme among many individuals. Unfortunately, there isn’t a one-size fits all approach when it comes to energy levels or as a matter of fact for any symptom, really! There are multiple factors that could be affecting your energy.  Here are five factors for you to consider when experiencing low energy.

1. Hydration

Are you drinking enough water? Did you know that all of our bodily processes require water to function optimally and that our body is made up of 60% water? Well, if not, now you know! In addition, water helps flush out toxins from the body that may be contributing to your low energy levels.

Not sure how much water you should be drinking? Unfortunately, there isn’t an amount that would be identical for every single person. Water consumption varies for each person and depends on factors such as weight, level of activity, and environment (ex. climate). However, on average, if you are drinking between 8 – 10 cups of water at minimum, that would be ideal for many people. This doesn’t include coffee, juice, pop or milk. We are talking about plain filtered water, but feel free to dress it up with as we are all for that! Here are a few ideas that water can be infused with:

• Thinly sliced lemon and basil leaves
• Peeled and thinly sliced ginger and an orange slice
• Mint leaves and a thinly sliced cucumber

2. Blood Sugar Balance

 Highly refined carbohydrates, found in processed and packaged foods, lead to spikes in blood sugar level. This may increase energy temporarily – but will inevitably result in a crash in energy levels. A tip that you could incorporate into your routine is consuming a good quality fat or protein with the processed food that you may be craving. At GutVantage, we believe in the 80/20 rule, meaning that as long as you eat healthy 80% of the time, you are allowed to occasionally treat yourself to your guilty pleasure 20% of the time. So, if you want to sneak in that chocolate chip cookie that you’ve been eyeing, spread some unsweetened almond butter on it to help better regulate your blood sugar levels, avoiding the possibility of a crash in energy shortly after. 

3. Sleep

Do you feel well-rested upon waking? Ideally, we recommend that you receive 7-8 hours of sleep daily. However, if you aren’t feeling well-rested despite the recommended level of sleep, you may be getting poor quality sleep. Click here to read about some tips to improve your sleep.

4. Stress Management

Stress is not necessarily a bad thing because it helps us react appropriately in dangerous situations. However, consistently being under stress for long periods of time can lead to a significant decline in energy levels as well. Therefore, stress-management techniques would be beneficial in this case. One technique is adding meditation to your daily routine.

5. Caffeine Consumption

Caffeine can sometimes be the culprit that leads to low energy. It can provide a quick hit of energy and also lead to a crash in energy shortly after. If you feel this is the case for you, you may want to try non-caffeinated energy boosters. Here are a few examples:

• Rooibos– can provide longer lasting fuel for the body and can be a great alternative to coffee.
• Coconut water – this helps keep your body hydrated, which as a result will benefit your energy levels, considering most of the processes that take place in the body require us to be hydrated for optimal functionality.
• Peppermint Tea– is another caffeine-free option that can not only boost energy levels, but may even help with concentration. It’s a GutVantage favourite as it can also help with digestive issues! Feel free to add a natural sweetener (ex. honey, maple syrup), as you see fit. Note: you should avoid peppermint, if you have heartburn or have been diagnosed with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).

Start by adding one of these tips to your daily routine and work your way up to all five!