Tips you can add into your daily routine to help increase your energy level by Tina Y. Gerber

It’s important to listen to your body. If your sleep is off, you won’t feel energized but will feel tired and sluggish. When your energy is low, your immune system can be impacted. Avoid a heavy meal and exercise before bed, if this is the case.

My first go-to is a nice cup of tea in the morning with a double dose of sugar. I only have one a day. I know, I know it’s wrong. So, I started enjoying some green tea. I am trying to be more conscious of how I manage my physical fatigue. It seemed so much easier when I was in my fifties. In the perfect world, I would wake and make a blended smoothie with kale and spinach, but let’s face it, it’s no longer happening.

With the arrival of warmer weather, it’s easier to get outside and enjoy some sunlight. The natural vitamin D will help you get some energy for the remainder of your day. Vitamin D helps your bones to be less fragile, assists your immune system, and helps relieve depression, which I had been experiencing.

A good approach is starting your day with walking or a light jog. Stretching is also great for your body; it can reduce stress and clear your mind. You can also add some stretching at your desk for a quick energy boost. Many folks still work from home and don’t even get dressed up for their work day. So getting dressed and making an effort to feel better and engaged may give you an added boost of energy.

So, how can we have more energy after 60? Doctors recommend at least 150 minutes of exercise per week. In my wisdom, I went to the pool and overdid it; now I have a pulled back muscle or slipped disc, ugh. Exercise is important, but remember to participate in hobbies and social activities. This will help maintain mental and physical fitness. That reminds me, it’s been a long time since I have visited my friends, due to the covid restrictions.

It’s important, as we age, to have a diet rich in nutrients. My husband and I had shied away from our healthy diet and had been going to more take-out. We are now back on track. A healthy diet is important, it supports the heart and helps with cognitive functions, which normally decrease as we age. I include fibre, fruits and vegetables, and do limit my number of sweets, but as late, my water intake has decreased as well. As we age, did you know older people may not feel as thirsty as when they were younger? However, we should continue to make an effort to drink plenty of water.

Finally, remember to take a break from electronics when fatigue overwhelms you. Step away from electronics at night and enjoy some quiet time. Human beings aren’t meant to operate continuously, at high speeds, for long periods. Take time to embrace your surroundings. We are truly designed and wonderfully made by God. Wisdom entails recognizing we all have limits.

#column #health #Seniors #tinaygerber