More of us are struggling with energy issues, experts say; they point to the weak economy, which has us working harder and plugging in longer, and the belief that we can have it all (so what if we’re up till midnight making it happen?).
“I’m seeing so many women who think of themselves as machines that can run nonstop, and they’re living with this deep fatigue,” says psychologist Michelle Segar, associate director of the Sport, Health, and Activity Research and Policy Center for Women and Girls at the University of Michigan. “Just like houseplants need water, our energy reserves need regular replenishing.”
To the rescue: strategies that will keep you humming along – and, happily, don’t take much effort.
- Don’t delay the day. It’s so tempting to hit snooze when your alarm goes off in the morning. Problem is, “by falling back asleep, you could be interrupting the hormone cycle, which can make it harder to get going,” Dodell says. Better to just set your alarm for 15 minutes later -and keep your clock across the room so you can’t reach out and silence it.
- Let in light. First thing in the morning, open the shades in your windows to allow as much light into your house as possible.
- Ease into things. Get up 15 minutes before the kids so you can shower and get dressed. And, yes, avoid the siren call of e-mail: “Facing an onslaught of to-dos can be a big drain if you haven’t cleared your mind first.”
- Get moving. Not an a.m. exerciser? Rethink your idea of a workout. In a University of Georgia study, people who did a low-intensity aerobic activity (think a leisurely walk) three times a week had a greater reduction in fatigue levels than folks who did higher intensity workouts (like a faster-paced walk with hills) for the same amount of time.
- Get Adjusted. Chiropractic adjustments keep your nerve system clear and working optimally. As a result, your body will be able to adapt to the stresses of life.
