Five ways to increase your energy

September 14, 2024

I am sure I have mentioned before that fall is my favourite time of year.

It’s a time of routine more than any other time of the year. It isn’t necessarily a time known for making drastic changes to your diet or exercise routine, but it is a time to get back into a routine that supports your life.

The changes we make in the fall are more sustainable and are the ones that we feel are tried and true, or we wouldn’t go back to them each fall. In the summer, we let our diet, our sleep and our activity levels become less regimented because of vacation, beach or lake time, and more social activities with visiting friends and families. And it starts to show up in different ways for each of us. Because summer is so fleeting in this part of the world, we tend to let our routines go, knowing that it’s just for a few months.

With the timing of the year in mind, I want to share with you some habits that will make the biggest difference to your energy and, as a bonus, may help to decrease your cholesterol, blood pressure, waistline, and stress. Who doesn’t want to do at least one of those?

1. Water

I know this is not headline-worthy and you won’t run out and buy some online and post your purchase. But, I guarantee that upping your water intake will make one of the biggest differences to your health.

The first excuse I hear is ‘but it makes me go to the bathroom!’ Would you rather make trips to the bathroom and experience more energy, better skin, lower cholesterol, improved bowel function, less heartburn and less headaches, or would you rather schlep around all dehydrated – but not having to go to the bathroom as often?

Let that sink in. For those with bladder issues, even just drinking four cups of H2O throughout the day can make a difference in reducing moments of light- headedness and improving cognitive function.

I’ve recently increased my water intake because of a health issue, and I can’t believe it took me this long to take drinking water seriously. Our body doesn’t function well when dehydrated. Women should be drinking 10 cups per day and men 13 cups. Ease yourself into it by increasing your intake gradually week by week.

A family riding different styles of bikes down a wooded path.
Daily movement is one core way to increase your energy levels. Did you know that the municipal Recreation and Community Wellness Department has an extensive range of rec equipment — for all ages and ability levels — available to loan at low-to-no cost? Go to invernesscounty.ca/services/recreation to find out more.

2. Movement

The less you move, the less energy you will have. Whatever form of movement you can do, do it.

Make it non-negotiable in your life.

Don’t let your emotions make the decision for you each day. Don’t ask yourself how you feel at the moment. Ask yourself how you want to feel in a month: whether it’s more energy, better mood, losing weight, or reducing stress, movement will help.

Exercise for your future self, the self you are working towards.

3. Protein

Make sure you’re getting protein throughout the day at each meal. Adequate protein helps to maintain muscle and helps to decrease cravings for high sugar, nutrient-poor foods. Protein also provides a major, sustained energy boost.

4. Sleep

If you aren’t sleeping seven hours per day, aim to get to bed early. If that doesn’t help, find someone to help you. There are supplements you can use to help you relax, fall asleep easier, and not wake up. Journaling and reading can help in addressing the stress in your life. Exercise in the day can also help.

5. Mood

By releasing stress on the nervous system, chiropractic and massage care permits the immune system to function more effectively— something all allergy sufferers need. A nervous system without stress functions more efficiently. (It always comes back to stress management!)

Have a wonderful fall,
Dr. Glenna