Your energy can definately be zapped as you go through the week if you are lacking a few things or neglecting a few things. Here are some things to consider:
1. Lack of sleep - the average women usually gets 6.25 hours at best, and yet we need 7.5-8hours to really reap the energy-giving benefits...so aim for that.
2. Weekend Sleeping - maybe you are oversleeping in and napping on the weekend to catch up on the past week of neglect. If you aim for that 7.5-8 hours during the week, try to continue that schedule over the weekend to avoid avoid the oversleeping monday morning hangover.
3. Disorganization - if you are coming home to a disorganized messy house, your energy level will plummet even more after a full day of work. Be sure the dishes are done, the beds are made and the clutter is cleared before leaving for work. Ask the family to chip in so you can come home to a clutter-free relaxed house in the evening helping you mentally prepare for the next day.
4. Too much sugar and/or caffiene - even though these two things are known for creating energy, if done too much, these stimulants will leave you crashing harder later. Try to go a whole week with no caffiene and no sugar. The first few days might be trying, but once that mental fog clears and lifts, the result is a purely energetic body that needs no stimulants and functions at peak performance.
5. Waiting too long between meals - not eating for more that 4-5 hours or even going longer (no-no) can zap your energy big time, plus leaving you famished when you get home so that you overdo it on your night time noshing and then you feel guilty and stressed and stress really zaps your energy...its a viscious circle. Be sure to go no more than 4 hours between meals!
6. Speaking of stress....stress can drain your energy and focusing ability and leave you flustered and irritable not to mention tired. When feeling stressed or worried, take a moment and breathe or better yet, set aside 5-10 minutes of your day (say right when you wake up or right before you go to bed) and spend time in quiet, still, meditation. Meditation does wonders for stress!
7. Are you getting enough water - being dehydrated can really zap your energy. Make sure you are getting half your body weight in oz. each day!
8. Are you getting enough nutrients throughout the week - defiencies in iron, vitamin d, vitamin b-12, omega 3's, and magnesium can reduce energy big time. Eat lots of dark leafy greens and heart-healthy fish to keep energy levels at their peak and nutrient levels high.
9. Exercising just 20 mins a day?
Not quite enough to counteract the 8 hours you sit behind a desk all day. Get up and get moving throughout the day. Start your day off with a great cardio interval workout alternating between bouts of cardio and weights. Then at lunch take a brisk walk before you eat, and then when you get home do what I call a "commercial workout" doing squats, lunges, sit-ups and pushups when the commercials come on during your favorite shows!
10. Too much routine - routine can start to bore the mind and slow the body. Set aside something different and fun each day to look forward to. Say, stopping by a favorite store on your way home from work, or having lunch with a friend at a little tea house or cafe, making something decadent and healthy and eye-appealing for dinner, buying a good new book and going somewhere far away in your mind. That will give you something to look forward to each day.
Hope that helps! Healthy energy happens inside and out! Have a healthy week!
