Healthy Ways to Boost Energy

Healthy Ways to Boost Energy

Nick Paumgarten, author of a recently penned article on The New Yorker, calls energy “both biochemical and psychophysical, vaguely delineated, widely misunderstood, elusive as grace.” As he waxes poetic about energy, the point of his article is most people, particularly in today’s post (still widely rampant) COVID world, are seeking more of this elusive life force. For those looking to increase their energy levels, without reaching for an endless cup of coffee or energy drinks. Sphinx Date Co. explores natural ways to boost energy.

When it comes to those aforementioned energy drinks, Mayo Clinic warns that most contain large amounts of caffeine, which can provide a temporary energy boost, but a short-lived one that “may be accompanied by other problems.” The added sugar in these types of beverages can contribute to weight gain according to an article on the Mayo Clinic website and too much caffeine or caffeine-like substances can also result in nervousness, irritability, insomnia, rapid heartbeat and increased blood pressure.

And what about dates - not only are dates high in natural sugars and nutrients that help boost energy, the B vitamins present in dates help to manage the metabolic processes that convert food into energy, helping to alleviate tiredness or fatigue.

Rest is a “sleeper” when it comes to boosting energy in a natural way as is moving the body on a regular basis. The site states: “Get adequate sleep, include physical activity in your daily routine, and eat a healthy diet.” 

There is no magic number when it comes to how much sleep people should get and research suggests that some people can manage on less sleep while others may need more to feel more energized throughout the day. The Sleep Foundation states adults between 18 and 64 years of age need seven to nine hours of sleep per night while adults over the age of 65 need about seven to eight. 

And about that physical activity… it really can summon that magical life force called energy! An article titled “Does exercise really boost energy levels?” on the Harvard Medical School website says yes. Authors Toni Golen, MD and Hope Ricciotti, MD, state that moving more can prompt cellular-level changes inside the body — namely the production of more mitochondria in the muscle cells. These “powerhouses of cells” create fuel out of glucose from food and oxygen. Bottom line: “Having more of them increases your body’s energy supply.”

The article notes that “regular exercises promotes better nighttime sleep. Deep sleep in crucial to your overall health and to feeling well rested and energetic when you wake up in the morning.” 

So in the name of more energy, here’s to a good night’s sleep, some physical activity and a healthy meal!