Article by My Wellness by Nature
We've all been there, right around 3 pm that computer you've been staring at all day seems to mesmerize you into a nap. So how do you combat energy crashes and how is your energy level affected as you begin to age and hormones begin to fluctuate. It's important first to note if this is an ongoing problem or something that happens out of the blue.
Getting to the root cause of decreased energy is the best way to ensure you combat these crashes long-term instead of turning to short-term solutions like coffee or energy supplements.
Feeling tired even after you've gotten a good night's rest?
While it's normal to feel tired right when you wake up from an 8 hour sleep it's not normal to feel tired for the entire day after. One of the simplest reasons for your grogginess could be that your body just needs more sleep than the average person. However, more often than not it goes deeper than that. In fact the things you do before bedtime have a huge impact on the quality of your sleep. It's good to have a bedtime routine you stick to. While a "bedtime" may not exactly be your idea of fun your body benefits from a routine schedule.
Here are some other reasons your mid-day crash may happen:
You’re not getting enough natural light
Exposure to light stimulates the brain and body so if you're cooped up in an office all day try to schedule some daily outside time.
You need to move your body more
Lack of exercise deconditions the body’s musculoskeletal and cardiovascular system. Increasing your daily activity will decrease your risk of being tired for no reason throughout the day.
You're dehydrated
Ensuring your body gets enough water plays a huge role in the quality of your sleep. Dehydration not only increases fatigue but also affects your muscles since your body has to work harder to compensate for lack of water.
You're not eating a healthy diet
It's true what they say, what you put into your body is what you get out of it. Binge eating junk or constantly ordering takeout can have a serious effect on how you feel throughout the day.
How hormones affect your energy levels
This is a pretty common symptom related to hormone imbalance. As you age many will experience a decline in DHEA, testosterone, and thyroid hormone. Low thyroid has even been linked to fatigue in teenagers and young adults. If your hormones are out of balance it can not only make you tired but cause long-term sleep problems.
Your Thyroid
Produces the hormones that control your metabolism. Once you become inactive your thyroid starts to slow down. If you have an overactive thyroid you could experience symptoms like restlessness which can also affect. your quality of sleep.
Progesterone Levels
Also known as the "Sleepy Hormone" it works to stimulate your brain to produce a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid. This is what helps you switch sleep on and off.
Low Testosterone
While you may predominantly relate this to men's health it's important for women as well. Low testosterone levels can cause extreme fatigue and tiredness throughout the day.
What you can do to boost energy naturally right now!
Turning to energy & coffee isn't recommended here are some natural alternatives to give you instant energy so you can breeze through your day and avoid a mid-day crash.
Workout or stretch on your lunch-break
Take a power nap. You want to keep this under 30 minutes to avoid grogginess
Get outside in the sunshine. This will not only boost energy levels but also give you a nice dose of serotonin to boost your mood.
Take a cold shower. The extreme temperature in the morning will wake up your metabolism and give you an instant jolt of energy.
Change the temperature in the room. When it's too cold your body temperature drops which may be signaling your body to turn off.
Control stress levels. Find time to schedule in some self-care, when we are doing tasks we enjoy we are less likely to experience fatigue.
Can Bio-Identical Hormone Optimization Help?
Talking to your doctor about having your hormone levels checked can help determine if a hormone imbalance could be the cause of the fatigue you're experiencing. Take the first step by taking our hormone self-assesment quiz. for yourself or your partner. Bioidentical hormone optimization may be the answer you've been looking for if you want to safely & naturally help with menopause symptoms & hormone imbalance.