We have all had that late afternoon energy crash … otherwise known as the 4 O’clock Lull …
All of a sudden you feel like you need a nap, a sugar rush, or the energy fairy and you can’t do any of the three.
Here are some tips and tricks to saying Bye Bye to those lulls and hello to pep in the step!
#1 Lemon Water – To get your body going on the right foot, start off the day with a warm glass of water with fresh squeezed lemon juice on an empty stomach. Not only does this drink help to cleanse the system, it also helps balance and energize the body.
# 2 Protein, Veggie, and Fat for Breakfast – What we eat first thing that sets the tone for the entire day, and if we aren’t fueling our tanks correctly, we are setting ourselves up for cravings and poor food choices later in the day. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day so make sure you get your day off to a great start with your protein, veggies, and fat!
# 3 You are not drinking enough water – Water is the key ingredient to so many wonderful benefits for you and your overall health. Even being just a little dehydrated can cause a reduction in blood volume, which makes the blood thicker. This requires your heart to pump less efficiently, reducing the speed at which oxygen and nutrients reach your muscles and organs. To calculate your normal fluid needs, take your weight in pounds, divide in half and drink that number of ounces of fluid a day, Amy Goodson, RD, a dietitian for Texas Health Ben Hogan Sports Medicine.
# 4 Caffeine Overload – Although it is great to get the caffeine fix first thing in the am you maybe over consuming throughout your day. Caffeine blocks adenosine, the byproduct of active cells that drives you to sleep as it accumulates, he explains. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine revealed that consuming caffeine even six hours prior to bedtime affects sleep, so cut yourself off by mid-afternoon and watch out for these surprising sources of caffeine.
Don’t waste your day feeling tired and unproductive. Take these simple steps to get that pep back in your step!
Happy Friday!
Fit Chic