Finding Energy
Our body uses energy to sustain life. Without energy, we couldn’t move, digest, or think. We rely on ATP to keep our body and mind active. ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) comes from mitochondria within the cell and each cell has its own energy production. This process is easily damaged and depletes energy stores, directing any useable energy to the most vital areas of the body to keep us alive. Because of this, other activities in our body that use ATP energy come to a halt. This leads to slower healing, reduced energy, fatigue, inflammation and many other health challenges. Here you will learn how to increase your energy by supporting the natural process, increasing cellular health, and supporting your body physically and emotionally.
Starting at the Source
Supporting ATP production at the cellular level is a great place to start. There are many factors that damage mitochondria which in turn decreases cellular energy. Every cell in your body needs energy and every cell has mitochondria that produce it. Eating a diet rich in omega fatty acids and B vitamins is vital. Keeping your cells hydrated is also vital and simple - drink adequate amounts of clean water. When ATP production drops and your body experiences extreme fatigue, lower cognitive function and weakness, supplementation is beneficial.
Detoxification
Toxins wreak havoc on our cellular health. They damage our cellular membranes, wreck our hormone receptors, and decrease permeability and energy production. When our cells become toxic and no longer can push toxins out, the mitochondria shut down, stopping production of ATP. The ATP storage within a cell depletes and cells weaken leading to cell death. Eliminating toxicity is crucial to restoring cellular energy, but it is also important to educate yourself about safe and effective detox techniques. When detoxing on your own is not a choice, work with a trained professional to guide you.
Move More
I feel exercise has become frowned upon because of the inability to lose weight effectively with the perfect workout routine or due to the lack of a routine. This is for everyone who struggles with weight loss resistance and see changes but quickly gain the weight back. This also applies for those who are too fatigued and struggling with pain to even consider a workout routine. When your body burns fat cells, toxins are released. So if you notice fat loss but are not supporting toxin elimination, cellular energy can plummet and weight will return. It is great you are moving and caring for your body so take it to the next level and purge those toxins as they release. If you are unmotivated and fatigued, start with small amounts of exercise, improving your nutrition, and supplementing when necessary. Exercise lowers stress hormones, relieves pain, and releases endorphins that improve your mood. (1)
Improve Sleep Habits
Sleep is incredibly important for our health and most people aren’t getting half of the required sleep time their body needs. Winding down at the end of your day prepares your body for better sleep quality. Try taking a bubble bath or at least sitting for an Epsom salt foot bath. Read a book or practice yoga. Blue light exposure blocks natural circadian rhythms so be sure to wear blue light blocking glasses in the evening or avoid screens for 1-2 hours before sleeping. (2) Eating a meal with lean protein for dinner helps balance serotonin levels and drinking teas like chamomile (3) and passionflower help relax muscles and your mind.
Reduce Stress
Meditation and prayer are huge for stress management. Spending time to quiet your mind and sit with God eases your spirit and warms the soul. Inspirational books remind you to do things that you love and make you feel complete as an individual. Reading them throughout the day is a constant reminder or listening to an audio book can be convenient for managing time. Nutrition plays a role as well. Support your body with whole foods to supply your body and brain necessary minerals, vitamins, and healthy fats to keep you going.
Resources:
1. Gowans, S. E., A. Dehueck, S. Voss, A. Silaj, S. E. Abbey, and W. J. Reynolds. "Effect of a Randomized, Controlled Trial of Exercise on Mood and Physical Function in Individuals with Fibromyalgia." Arthritis & Rheumatism45, no. 6 (2001): 519-29.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/1529-0131(200112)45:63.0.CO;2-3.
2. Carter, Ben, Philippa Rees, Lauren Hale, Darsharna Bhattacharjee, and Mandar S. Paradkar. "Association Between Portable Screen-Based Media Device Access or Use and Sleep Outcomes." JAMA Pediatrics170, no. 12 (2016): 1202. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27802500.
3. Gupta. "Chamomile: A Herbal Medicine of the past with a Bright Future (Review)." Molecular Medicine Reports3, no. 6 (2010). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2995283/.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21294203