Tired And How To Boost My Energy

Do you feel tired all the time and can’t remember what it’s like to feel energetic?

Do you often wake up tired or have trouble getting up from bed? If yes, you’re not alone in this, as only 1 in 7 Americans wake up feeling fresh and energized every day.

This means that around 86% of people wake up feeling exhausted and have to spend their day with the minimum amount of energy they have. One-third of these people have this experience four or more times a week.

Moreover, two-thirds of full-time employees say they have experienced burnout at some point in their careers.

Why am I so tired, and how can I feel more energized when I wake up?

In this article, I will explain why maintaining a good energy level is essential and what you can do to start your day feeling fresh and fully recharged. But before that, let’s look at some reasons why people feel tired.

Why Do I Always Feel Tired And Have No Energy?

Your energy levels are constantly being affected by various causes, which I’ll talk about in this section. The good news is that for the majority of these causes — there are solutions. (Check out the ‘Your Solution to Boosting Energy’ section below.)

Psychological Causes

Psychological issues are one of the major causes of people feeling constantly tired and unmotivated.

Stress

You may not have thought about it before, but severe or ongoing stress is a personal energy killer.

Stress can be triggered by all kinds of things in life, including:

• Having a high-pressured job
• Going through a divorce
• Struggling with debt
• Emotional problems (anxiety, depression,,,, and fear)

Here’re some more potential stressors in life: How to Cope with the 5 Common Stressors In Life and Feel Better

Whatever the causes of stress, the results are almost always the same — an intense and constant feeling of fatigue. A stressed person may also experience problems concentrating and sleeping. This is largely due to the effects stress has on physical and mental health.

When put into a stressful situation, your body adopts a physical response. This starts with your nervous system releasing hormones that prepare you to either respond via ‘fight or flight’.

To confirm this, think back to the last time you were in a particularly stressful situation. I guarantee that you would have noticed that your heartbeat and breathing sped up, your muscles will have gotten tighter and you probably started to sweat.

Fortunately, if the stress is short-term and temporary, your body and mind will likely make a quick recovery. However, if you’re exposed to constant stress over a long period (referred to as chronic stress), the constant release of the stress hormone cortisol can lead to serious health issues.

Negative Emotions

Your emotions can have a great impact on your mental energy and physical energy as well. Learn more about what negative emotions can do to your energy:

• Does Depression Make You Tired And How?
• Does Anxiety Make You Tired And Why?

Lack Of Motivation

Another energy vampire is a lack of motivation.

Unmotivated people are typically either suffering from mental health issues such as anxiety or depression or they lack a clear life purpose, which leads them to feel dissatisfied and apathetic

Lack of motivation may also be caused by any of the following:

• Uncertainty
• Grief
• Low-self esteem
• Having nothing to aim for
• Goals being too big or too small

Check out our article 7 Things That Cause Your Lack of Motivation (And How to Fix Them) for more information on this.

Lifestyle-Related Causes

Another major factor related to low energy is the way we choose to live our lives.

Sleep Issues

Science shows that getting a good night’s sleep daily is vital to our physical and mental health. If we fail to do this, we can expect to see some or all of the following negative consequences:

Impaired thinking

Reduced focus

Decreased memory

Poor or risky decision-making

Mood changes

And of course, one of the most significant factors of either getting too much sleep or not enough sleep is… lack of energy.

Learn more about the importance of sleep and the sleep cycle in our article The Importance of Sleep Cycles on Productivity (+ Tips to Improve Yours).

Work Issues

If you work irregular hours, do shift work or frequently work long hours, then you’re likely to be operating on depleted personal energy. And if you continue to work these ways for months or years, you could well be putting your health at serious risk.

The reason for this is that your sleep cycle and body clock can easily be disrupted by irregular working hours.

Overwork and shift work can lead to some or all of these symptoms:

• Insomnia
• Mood swings
• Brain fog
• Irregular appetite
• Lowered libido
• Weakened immune system

Read our article 6 Signs You’re Suffering From Shift Work Disorder to see if you need to take immediate action to tackle the debilitating effects of overwork or shift work.

Burnout

As I mentioned in the introduction to this guide, I’ve personally suffered the horrors of burnout. I remember how it crept up on me so that I was unaware of it until it was too late.

How about you? Are you pushing yourself too much and putting yourself at risk of burnout?

This can happen if you don’t take regular and sufficient rest, or if you are living an imbalanced and unhealthy life.

If you’re burning the candle at both ends, then you’re like to experience some of the below symptoms:

• Feeling continually drained of energy
• Headaches and muscle pain
• Anger and frustration
• Loss of motivation
• Feeling trapped by circumstances

If you’re worried about burnout, I recommend you check out our article How to Spot the Signs of Burnout and Overcome It Fast.

Lack Of Regular Exercise And Sedentary Behavior

While this has always been a common problem for many people, the coronavirus pandemic — by keeping most people strictly at home for weeks and months — has amplified the problem.

Whereas before people might have walked to work, or at least walked around their office, now the most exercise people get is walking from their bedroom to their lounge!

On top of this, the enforced remote working has meant that lots of people are sitting down way too much. And this is often with seating, desks,,,, and screens that are far from ideal.

Unfortunately, there is a price to pay for this.

Sitting down too much and failing to move your body regularly can lead to:

• Weakened leg muscles
• Back problems
• Stiff neck and shoulders
• Postural issues
• Weight gain
• Anxiety and depression

If you need more convincing about the negative impacts of sitting down too much, then check out our article Why Sitting Is Killing You. This article includes a detailed and helpful infographic.

Poor Diet

I’m sure you’ve come across endless articles and videos on how to choose a diet for weight loss. However, have you thought about what you eat and drink and its effect on your personal energy?

Without the essential nutrients, such as minerals and vitamins, you’ll never be able to operate at your best.

In fact, a poor diet and dehydration can lead to any or all of the below serious health problems:

• Chronic fatigue
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Tooth decay
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease and stroke
• Type-2 diabetes
• Osteoporosis
• Depression

Clearly, eating a healthy diet is critical to both your physical and mental health. It’s also a vital component of feeling energetic and motivated.

Alcohol, Smoking,,,, And Drugs

While I’m partial to the occasional glass of red wine, the science is clear that excessive drinking of alcohol is bad news for your body.

As for smoking, I probably don’t need to tell you about the negative effects of this habit, but just in case, here’s a sample of what it can do to your body:

Speed up your skin’s aging process

Increase your risk of the eye condition macular degeneration

• Can lead to erectile dysfunction in men
• Put you at risk of gum disease
• Put you at risk of lung cancer
• Put you at risk of heart disease

As I’m sure you can imagine, developing any or perhaps several of the above would crush your confidence and kill your energy.

Recreational drugs are even worse. Not only can they damage your physical health, but studies clearly show how their prolonged use can lead to severe mental health problems.

Medical Causes

Low energy and drive can of course be directly related to medical issues.

Let’s take a brief look at some of the common medical causes behind feeling tired all the time…

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

CFS can be described as extreme fatigue that lasts for 6 months or more and can’t be explained by an underlying medical condition. Unlike normal fatigue, it doesn’t improve with rest. And mental and physical activity makes the feeling of tiredness even worse.

As well as fatigue, CFS sufferers can experience:

• Memory and concentration issues
• Dizziness
• Disrupted sleep
• Low-Grade, Chronic Inflammation

Inflammation is your body’s way of fighting against things that harm it, such as toxins, injuries,,, and infections. When something attacks or damages your cells, your body responds by releasing proteins and antibodies. Your body will also increase blood flow to the affected area.

Typically, this response would only last for a matter of hours or days, but in the case of chronic fatigue, the response lingers for weeks, months,,, or even years. This can lead to several health conditions, including:

• Abdominal pain
• Fever
• Mouth sores
• Rashes
• Chest pain
• Fatigue
• Sleep Apnea

This is a debilitating and serious disease that results in sufferers having their breathing repeatedly start and stop during their sleep.

If sleep apnea is not treated, it can lead to complications such as:

• Depression
• Drowsiness
• Heart disease
• Headaches
• Thyroid Disease

Thyroid disease is a medical condition that prevents your thyroid from making the right amount of hormones — which are essential to keep your body functioning normally.

Hyperthyroidism is when your thyroid makes too much thyroid hormone, causing your body to use energy too quickly. As well as making you feel tired, it can also lead to an increased heart rate and a feeling of nervousness.

Hypothyroidism is the opposite. This is where your thyroid makes too little thyroid hormone. This also makes you feel tired, but in addition, it can lead to weight gain and an inability to tolerate cold temperatures.

There are various reasons why people develop thyroid disease, including the fact that it can be passed down through families.

Check for these signs of a thyroid problem: 7 Signs of a Thyroid Problem That You Should Not Ignore

Anemia

This is a medical condition in which the hemoglobin or red blood cell count in the body is lower than normal.

Although some people with anemia have no symptoms, others experience:

• Fatigue
• Pale skin
• Shortness of breath
• The feeling of heart racing

There are many forms of anemia, each with its own cause. It can also be a long-term or temporary condition, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe.

Anemia can be detected with a blood cell count (CBC) test. Here’re also some signs that you may be lack iron: Signs You Might Lack Iron (And 9 Iron-Rich Foods for Your Diet)

Diabetes

This chronic disease occurs either when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces or when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin — which is a hormone that regulates blood sugar.

Raised blood sugar (hyperglycemia) is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes and can lead to serious damage to the body, especially the nerves and blood vessels. In 2014, 8.5% of adults aged 18 years and older had diabetes.

Common symptoms that diabetics experience include:

• Constantly feeling thirsty
• Low energy
• Slow healing of wounds
• Blurred vision
• Increased urination

There are various causes and medical treatments for diabetes.

The Two Types of Energy

All the work we do in a day realizes two types of energy: physical energy and mental energy.

Physical energy is the “traditional” aspect of energy. The energy that your physical body needs to perform your daily actions — to walk, sit, drive your car, move around, etc. On the other hand, mental energy is the energy your mind uses to function. It is the energy that dictates your focus, emotional state, and ability to think and process information.

Though both energies have a distinct theme, they are interrelated and enhance or aggravate one another. Physical energy is external, driven by the body and your actions; while mental energy is internal, driven by the mind and your thoughts.

But these two types of energy are not equal. Physical energy may or may not affect mental energy while mental energy will always affect physical energy. For example, after exercise, your muscles are sore and tired but your mind can be clear; on the other hand, when you’re stressed mentally, your physical energy will drop.

Our physical energy has limits as we cannot eat, sleep or exercise beyond a specific limit. According to a study conducted on explorers, ultra-athletes, and pregnant women, human beings cannot spend beyond two and a half times of energy they consume while resting.[24] However, our mental energy is boundless; the only thing that can limit it is our own mind.

Why Maintaining a Good Level of Energy Is Important

Just like your phones need a charge to work, your body needs to maintain a good energy level to perform to its full potential. Here are the reasons why you need to maintain a good level of energy:

More Energy = More Time

By maintaining a good energy level, you can stay more productive throughout the day; Tony Robbins, an American author, coach, motivational speaker, and philanthropist, once said, “Where our focus goes, our energy flows.”

To get anything done meaningfully, you need both time and energy. If you go to your job exhausted, you won’t be able to perform to your fullest and end up frustrating yourself trying to catch the time. However, if you’re full of energy and fresh, you can perform better at work and get more out of the day.

According to a study conducted on 4,188 U.S. workers, it was found that the workers who had problems sleeping due to conditions such as insomnia and insufficient sleep syndrome had lower productivity, performance, and safety outcomes. A $1,967 loss was estimated per worker due to lack of sleep.

More Energy = More Life

Energy is a limited resource, and everyone gets a specific amount of energy to spend each day. If you have low energy levels, you would barely meet your work requirements and wouldn’t have the energy to pursue your hobbies or do what makes you happy.

With more energy, you can react constructively to adverse circumstances, keep your mind and thoughts clear, and also take out time to do the things you like.

Better Energy = Better Health

Your mind and body need a sufficient amount of energy to function properly. People who lack power go under stress which upsets the body’s hormonal balance affects the immune system,,, and decreases the secretion of brain chemicals that promote happiness. A long-term lack of energy also leads to high blood pressure, heart disease, and imbalanced blood sugar levels.

According to a study, fatigue can lead to cognition and occupational accidents, metabolic and reproductive health sequelae, and some forms of cancer. Maintaining a good energy level can prevent these consequences, and help you maintain good health.

How to Boost Your Energy

1. Hack Your Habits and Routines

Around 80% of the things we do daily are part of our habits and routine. This means that most of our work goes on repeat for weeks, months, and even years. Therefore, our habits and routines determine how most of our energy is spent.

If you spend your energy doing productive things, you will accomplish more, feel positive and motivated in life, and have the energy to achieve more. If you are involved in bad habits, they drain your energy quickly and you won’t be able to make room to do what you want.

Not seeing how much energy our routines and habits are consuming is like buying something without looking at its price tag and then realizing that you don’t actually have enough money. In reality, most people pay attention to the price tag before buying anything but are least bothered when it comes to managing energy.

Without changing your routines and habits, you don’t know where or how your energy is being spent.

“You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.” – John C. Maxwell.

Here’s how to hack your habits for boosting your energy:

Step 1: Balance Your Energy Meter

Take a look at your routines and habits and identify which consumes most of your energy, which replenishes your energy,,, and by how much.

For instance, scrolling your Facebook or watching TV can drain your energy because these activities involve plenty of mental power; napping and doing exercises, on the other hand, can recharge your overall energy.

Try to balance habits and activities that deplete or help you restore your energy, so you can balance your energy throughout the day better.

Step 2: Find Energy Positive Actions

Now that you have identified which habits deplete your energy and which recharge your energy, it’s time to replace the energy-depleting ones with energy-boosting ones.

Try out different energy-positive actions to see how they affect your energy levels. As you fit energy-positive actions into your life, sprinkle them strategically into your schedule so they become your daily habits naturally. For example, if you get mentally exhausted after a long day of work, plan a walk after work to freshen up your mind.

If you really can’t replace a habit that depletes your energy, try to reduce its duration. Say if you like watching movies on Netflix and don’t think this is something to quit, try to reduce the time of watching movies from a few hours a day to a few hours a week.

2. Rest with a Strategy

Most people are so busy with their daily demands and responsibilities that they think of rest as something they should do “only when they have time.” The fact is, rest is essential to recharging both our physical and mental energy.

In addition to hacking your routines, the best way to rest your body is by developing a proper resting routine. To do this, try to map small habits that can surely replenish your energy in your busy schedule. These habits should ideally be short and capable of recharging both physical and mental energy while halting your negative energy expenditure. Some questions to help you decide what energy-recharging habits to include in your schedule:

1. Can this be done in any place and at any time?
2. How much time will it take?
3. What equipment or accessories are needed (if any)?

For instance, doing a short stretching exercise or a mindful breathing exercise can be some good ones to fit into your schedule because they can be done anywhere at any time. They can take as little as 10 to 15 minutes, and don’t really require any equipment.

More importantly, get sufficient and high-quality sleep to recharge your energy effectively. To learn more about how to sleep better, check out this Guide on How to Fall Asleep Faster And Sleep Better.

3. Fitness And Movement

Regular physical exercise and movements can boost both your mental and physical energy. In fact, you’ve probably heard of the negative effects of a sedentary lifestyle.

4. Eating for Energy

If you lack essential nutrients, you’ll inevitably lack energy. A healthy diet can help break you free from feeling tired all the time. It can also restore your drive and motivation.

Water

We need plenty of this vital macronutrient. In fact, about 60% of our body is made up of water and it’s crucial for the balance of our body fluids. These fluids are required for body processes such as absorption, the balance of body temperature, circulation, digestion,,, and transport of nutrients.

To help cleanse your body and keep it hydrated, aim to drink a large glass of water before breakfast and before drinking coffee.

Ginger

People have been consuming ginger for over 4,000 years, and for good reason. Ginger has been shown to ease muscle pain, improve circulation, eliminate inflammation, reduce migraine pain and boost the immune system. In other words, it’s a superfood that can help you restore your health and vitality.

Blueberries

Due to its high amounts of fiber, antioxidants, phytonutrients,,, and vitamin C, this small berry is often referred to as the ‘king of fruits’. The natural nutrients in the berries can help improve heart health, fight cancer, and boost brain function and cognitive health.

Almonds

This powerhouse food is chock-full of vitamins, minerals, fiber,,, and protein. As well as being a great energy-boosting food, it also can lower cholesterol as well as reduce the risks of cancer and heart disease.

You can choose to eat them raw, such as almond butter or almond milk. You might also want to consider soaking them for up to 12 hours to help aid in their digestion of them.

Kombucha

This fermented, probiotic tea can help detoxify, heal and boost your body’s energy levels. Kombucha is a mixture of brewed tea and SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast) and contains an abundance of organic enzymes, amino acids,,, and vitamins. Find it in most health stores or buy your own kombucha brewing kit.

Eggs

This superfood is packed with vitamins A, B2, B12, D,,, and E. It’s also an abundant source of protein, calcium,,, and iron. Eggs are also an incredibly versatile food and can be cooked in many different ways. Try to choose free-range and organic eggs if possible.

Oatmeal

Popular at breakfast time, oatmeal is blessed with high levels of soluble fiber and protein. It can also help lower cholesterol and control blood pressure. From my experience of eating oatmeal for breakfast, I can definitely recommend it as a healthy, filling food that boosts and sustains your energy levels for several hours.

Coconut Water

Known as nature’s sports drink, coconut water has high levels of minerals (especially potassium) and is a tasty way to boost your energy. You can choose to drink the water by itself or blend it with strawberries and bananas to make an exotic and tasty smoothie.

For breakfast and snack recipe ideas, check out our articles 20 Easy and Healthy Breakfast Recipes for Rush Mornings and 25 Healthy Snacks for Work: Decrease Hunger and Increase Productivity.

Check out these energy foods and energy drinks to include in your everyday diet too.

Supplements For Energy

Over the last few decades, there has been an ongoing debate about whether nutritional supplementation is necessary or not. Some people argued that a healthy diet is all you need, and other people have said that modern food growing and processing methods have meant that our food no longer has sufficient nutrients to keep us fit and well.

Personally, I fall into the latter camp. My reason? I’ve noticed tangible health and energy benefits when I take regular supplements.

While taking a good quality multivitamin/multimineral is a key element of effective supplementation, there are also several other supplements that you can choose to take that will specifically boost your energy levels:

VITAMIN B COMPLEX

This supplement contains eight B vitamins: B-1 (thiamine), B-2 (riboflavin), B-3 (niacin), B-5 (pantothenic acid), B-6 (pyridoxine), B-7 (biotin), B-9 (folic acid) and B-12 (cobalamin). These B vitamins play an important role in maintaining your health and well-being. B vitamins are essential for optimum brain function, cell metabolism,,, and energy levels. They can also help prevent infections and aid your nerves and digestion.

VITAMIN D3

While Vitamin D is generated in the body through sun exposure, it’s not always possible or desirable to get this vitamin in this way. That’s why Vitamin D supplements have become one of the most popular supplements in the world today. Vitamin D can help you maintain healthy bones and teeth. It may also protect you against a range of conditions and diseases, including Type 1 diabetes. As a recent study by Newcastle University shows, Vitamin D is also vital for making our muscles work efficiently and for boosting our energy levels.

IRON

While most people should be able to get sufficient iron from their diets, some people with low iron levels may benefit from increasing their iron intake. Low iron levels are quite common, and if left untreated, can develop into a more serious condition known as iron deficiency anemia (IDA). This is a condition in which your blood doesn’t contain enough healthy, oxygen-carrying red blood cells. As a result, you may experience symptoms such as lack of energy, shortness of breath, difficulty concentrating,,, and tiredness. Getting your iron levels tested regularly can help you identify and treat low iron levels before they potentially develop into IDA.

FISH OIL

This supplement, due to its high concentration of omega-3 fatty acids (particularly DHA and EPA), may help you to stay physically fit, improve your cognitive performance,,, and fight chronic inflammation. Look for a supplement that contains 1,000 mg of DHA and EPA combined daily. If you’re vegan, vegetarian,,, or allergic to fish, there are plant-based options made from algal oil, which is the marine algae fish eat to produce DHA and EPA.

GINSENG

Used as a traditional herbal remedy for thousands of years, the health benefits of ginseng are impressive. The herb helps protect the body against stress and fatigue. There is also evidence to show that ginseng can help to boost the immune system, while other studies have found that ginseng can lower blood sugar levels. Several variations of the plant from around the world have been discovered, with the most popular varieties being Korean, Siberian,,, and American.

PROBIOTICS

These are live microorganisms that can be consumed through fermented foods or supplements. Probiotics promote a healthy balance of gut bacteria and have been linked to a wide range of health benefits. These include boosting: digestive health, mental health, and overall immunity. As well as fermented foods, you can also take probiotics as capsules, tablets,,, and powders.

TURMERIC

This spice contains an active ingredient called curcumin, which is linked to many scientifically-proven health benefits. These include: fighting inflammation, treating and helping to prevent diabetes, delaying or reversing Alzheimer’s disease, treating depression, and protecting your body from dangerous free radicals.[38] As you can imagine, when you lower inflammation, pain,,, and infection, you’ll feel stronger and naturally have more energy.

Coffee for Energy

While some people primarily drink coffee for its pleasant taste, other people choose the beverage as a way to give themselves a natural uplift due to its high caffeine content.

However, coffee also has several other benefits beyond tasting good and giving your energy a boost. These include:

• Helping you stay focused and alert
• Helping you burn fat
• Helping boost your physical performance

Of course, you can definitely get too much of a good thing, and coffee is no exception to this rule.

For the best daily energy boost without disrupting your sleep, I recommend you consume about 400mg of caffeine in the morning. That’s around 2-3 espresso shots or five teaspoons of instant coffee. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, then it’s recommended that you limit your caffeine intake to about 200mg per day.

The secret to drinking coffee for energy is to make sure you only drink it in the morning. That’s because caffeine stays in the body for quite some time. Studies show that it leaves the body at a rate of about 11% per hour. This gives it a half-life of about 6 hours. To put this in practical terms, if you drink a cup of coffee with 100mg of caffeine at 10am, you’ll still have about 50mg of caffeine remaining in your system at 4pm.

Conclusion

When you put into practice some of the tips suggested in this article, then you’ll not only be able to get your energy back — but you’ll also be able to get your life back!

From morning until night, you’ll have the energy and drive to accomplish your goals. Procrastination and low productivity will be a thing of the past for you. People will notice the difference in you too; I guarantee it. They will begin to see you as a can-do, confident and driven person.

Once you boost and sustain your energy and performance to the highest possible levels, you’ll be ready to take on and overcome the world.

So make today the start of a new, exciting life.