Healthy Ways to Boost Your Energy: Life Hacks, Supplements & More

Jul 15 2022
Wish you had more energy, either right now or just in general? You’re not alone! We rounded up a slew of simple tips & hacks to support higher energy levels and just plain feeling good. Plus, a few of our favorite secret weapons for a quick boost…

Go for a walk outdoors.

Just 10 minutes, simple as that. This is one of the easiest in-the-moment solutions. The sunshine helps, the fresh air helps, getting your blood flowing helps… It all adds up. And when you're feeling low energy to begin with, walking doesn’t require too much get-up-and-go motivation. Not quite walking weather outside? Time to Housewalk.

Reduce stress with yoga or meditation.

One of the biggest causes of burnout and energy depletion is having high stress levels. Convincing yourself to PAUSE and take action during a bout of stress can be challenging, but the more you do it, the easier it gets. A bit of basic yoga or mindful stretches can revive you mentally and physically. And meditation can be as simple as taking a few minutes to close your eyes and focus on your breathing. (Cool technique: Breath in for the count of four; hold for the count of seven; breath out for the count of eight.)

You guessed it: Exercise.

"But I don't have the energy!" This one's more of a long-game move. Over time, even low-intensity regular exercise can help ease overall fatigue. Hot tip: Start with 10 minutes per day. When you’re ready, increase to 15; then 20; then 30. There are some great free videos on YouTube for exercise routines that don’t require any equipment.

Drink water.

There have been plenty of jokes about how humans are just complicated house plants, and the best example of that is how much we need water. Feeling kinda wilty? Chug some H2O, and see how you feel. Struggle with this one? Here are five fabulous helpers, like keeping a water bottle like this handy!

Don't skip meals.

Meals are literally your time to refuel! And when you skip them, guess what? Your tank is gonna run out of gas. Don't let yourself get to the point where you're coasting on fumes. If you just don't have time for a meal, at least snack on something that'll help keep you going, like these protein-based snacks.

Invigorate your senses.

Sometimes you might need to trick your body into alertness—it happens! Try a fragrance pick-me-up with some essential oils, like peppermint and citrus. Dab some on, or put it into a diffuser. Another quick trick: face mist. Spraying water on your face is physically refreshing, and if the mist has a little fragrance to it, even better.

Put on your favorite song.

Music is powerful! If you have a bad case of the I Don't Wannas, turning on a song you love might be the kick you need to override your low energy. Sing along—it can help reduce stress, plus it's fun!

Make sure you're getting quality sleep.

It's hard enough to get to bed at a reasonable time. (HG tip: Set a bedtime alarm on your phone.) But then not being able to fall asleep once you're IN bed? Stressful. Build in some wind-down time when you can: Get away from blue-light screens, and try an app like Calm for audios geared to help you relax. If you toss and turn all night, evaluate your bedroom situation. Is your pillow supportive enough? Is your bedding too hot? Is your room dark enough?

Hang around people who pump you up.

You know the people who leave you feeling drained after you hang out with them? Not them; the opposite of them. Reach out to friends who leave you feeling jazzed, where you bring out the best in each other. If you're sitting on your couch, trying to muster the will to do anything, call one of those friends.

Eat for energy.

Surprised we waited 'til the very end for this one? We just wanted to save the best for last. Nutrients are important for your energy levels. Prioritize whole grains, healthy fats, and protein; limit added sugar and ultra-processed foods. Vitamins like B12, magnesium, phosphorus, and more have also been noted for helping to support energy levels. And of course, there's always caffeine!

Chew on this:

Tomorrow, July 16th, is National Corn Fritter Day! If you've never made these Corn Dog Muffins before, fritter away some time making a batch…

Help your buddies power up—send them these tips!

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