Health Habits, Less Energy

You really are trying to be healthy…you go to the gym, you drink water, you even eat healthier.

So why do you still feel so exhausted?

Here are some surprisingly healthy things that may be taking away more of your energy than you realize.

You’re Getting To Bed Earlier…But You’re Not Doing The Right Things In Bed.

Being social is a good thing. A healthy thing. But sleep…kinda more important. Did you know that 65 percent of participants of a recent say they check their phone for text messages and are on social sites while in bed, right before they turn off the lights?

According to the National Sleep Foundation, 95 percent of Americans use a computer or other electronic device within an hour of trying to fall asleep.What’s wrong with this?

“All that tech gadget use, especially their bright lights, may stimulate brain activity and reduce melatonin levels, which may make it difficult to both fall asleep and perk up the next day,” says Mariana G. Figueiro, PhD, an associate professor at the Lighting Research Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

What To Do Differently: An hour before bedtime, put the phone down, close the laptop, turn the TV off, and do something relaxing that will properly prepare your body for sleep, such as drinking a hot cup of herbal tea, taking a bath, or meditating.

You’re Eating Veggies…But You’re Not Eating Enought Of The “Right” Veggies.

Okay, technically, there are no “wrong” veggies. Just about any choice will help provide your body with the nutrition it needs. However, there are certain vegetables that contain higher levels of those nutrients.

What To Do Differently: Eat more cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and kale. These produce rock stars contain isothiocyanates, compounds that activate a protein called Nrf2, which in turn generates mitochondria, the part of cells responsible for converting glucose into ATP. According to experts, the more mitochondria you take in, the less tired you’ll be.

Study after study has shown the importance of drinking enough water. Even being a little dehydrated can quickly zap your energy.

What To Do Differently: You’ve head it before, and we’ll say it again – your daily water goal is 6 to 8 cups. Remember that not all of it has to come straight from a water bottle: get creative with some healthy iced tea, add water to your morning smoothie, have water-based soup for lunch. If the water in that bottle is boring, get creative by adding nutritious slices of lemon and oranges.

You Watch Your Carbs…A Little Too Carefully.

Your body needs carbs. In fact, it’s what fuels your body and gives you energy. Also, did you know carbs actually help you burn fat?

Nutritionists say that an idea diet is 50% complex carbs, 25% protein and 25% fat.

What To Do Differently: Add healthy portions of complex carbs to your diet, such as whole-wheat pasta, wheat bread and potatoes (including sweet potatoes).

Your Gym Bag (And All Your Other Bags) Are Way Too Heavy

You know all that stuff you lug around: your purse, your gym bag, the shopping bag – all stuffed with anything and everything you think you may end up needing at some point, if not immediately?

Studies show that toting around all those bags throws your body out of alignment, making it harder to breathe…which increases your heart rate and exhausts you in record time.

What To Do Differently: Invest in a high-quality backpack.

“Instead of putting a lot of weight on one shoulder, a backpack evenly distributes the load,” says Karen Jacobs, an ergonomist and a professor in the department of occupational therapy at Boston University.