NGU Skyliner

Laurel Vaughn
Staff Writer

Is your energy running out by the time 2 p.m. rolls around? Is it all you can do to make it through your day until you crash into your bed exhausted? If this sounds like you, read on for natural ways to boost your energy levels.

Most important on the list is a good multi-vitamin. You just can’t get all the vitamins you need with the way we eat these days—especially as college students. But we shouldn’t deny our bodies nonetheless.

After you have incorporated a multi-vitamin, add B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin A. B vitamins are crucial for long-term energy. Vegetarians especially need to make sure they take B vitamins as their diet threatens them with deficiency.

Adding green tea to your diet by way of beverage or capsule is another easy way to promote good health and energy. Besides the benefits it has on energy levels, it also helps to promote a healthy heart, stimulate your metabolism and burn fat, fight infection and balance blood sugar levels.

Ginseng is a wonder food with many benefits.Ginseng has been proven to help lower toxin levels in the body, increase energy and immune function as well as mental and physical capabilities and much more. There are different types of ginseng, but panax and Korean ginseng are the most prevalent. If you are brave, you can eat ginseng root raw. But a more logical way to obtain ginseng and its benefits is through capsule form.

Germanium in ginseng is responsible for detoxification properties. Every cell and organ in the body is affected when the blood carries impurities. Germanium helps to eliminate impurities in the blood. You function better and feel more energized when your body has to fight and counteract less.

‘You are what you eat’ holds much truth to your level of health and vitality. If your diet is high in simple carbohydrates and fatty foods, you are most likely struggling to fight fatigue and low levels of energy. Gravitate towards complex carbohydrates, which take longer to digest than simple carbohydrates and are packed with fiber and vitamins.

Red Bull is not the ideal option for sustainable energy levels. The high sugar content rushes to your bloodstream and leaves you more tired than before. Though some energy drinks have good ingredients like ginseng in them, the bad ingredients overcompensate to create a negative result. Sure, in a rare emergency situation it is okay, but don’t drink these often.

Highly caffeinated beverages can only give you a cheap version of energy. Caffeine becomes addictive and causes stomach and headache problems in many. Withdrawal from caffeine also causes many undesirable symptoms, so withdraw gradually.

Increase the amount of lean proteins you eat. Lean proteins include chicken, fish and eggs. Proteins are greatly responsible for good brain and body function. Eat more fruits and vegetables (complex carbohydrates) as well as nuts. Stay away from sugar as much as possible.

Exercise plays a large part in consistent energy levels. Work yourself up to a good workout regimen. Try to walk or do cardio a couple times a week and do some weight bearing exercises. Try yoga, swimming, golf or whatever works for you. Exercise will increase endorphin production, which correlates with serotonin levels. This directly affects your mood and energy for the better.

Stretch and breathe often. Stretching helps loosen up tension from stress as well as bringing more oxygen to muscles. It is more tiresome to go throughout your day with tension and tightness in your muscles.

Managing stress will help to keep negative situations from draining you. Emotional or consuming tasks and situations can really suck the life out of you if you are not careful. Find what works for you to wind down and manage stress. Put it into regular practice.

Sleep is so very crucial for all good things to happen. Try to get six to eight hours of sleep a night if possible. Plan ahead so you don’t have to cram and stay up late studying or finishing assignments. This creates a cycle of dependency and need for caffeinated substances and increases stress because of the pressure to finish and the lack of sleep.

Think smart. Be conscious of what you do and eat. If it is beneficial, do it. Help aid your body instead of being an extra force working against it. Be on the same team as your body. It is special, unique and God given. Be good stewards of the vessel you were given. Serve and worship the Lord with your body.

Tags: Fall 2009, Vol. 109 - Issue 10

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 and is filed under Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.