Now that the weather has warmed up, it feels like summer is finally here! I just saw on the news that the CDC cleared anyone who has received the COVID-19 vaccination to go mask-less unless you’re in big crowds. It’s crazy how much has happened in the past year, and that we’ve gone so long wearing these darn things! Is anyone else afraid to finally take theirs off? I feel like mine is a permanent part of my face now! Weather you are going to continue to wear your mask or not, I hope everyone stays safe and healthy so you can enjoy the summer.
Speaking of summer, now that it’s here and people are getting more comfortable going out, I think it’s important for you to make sure you’re getting the most out of the weather by staying healthy and preparing! With everything that’s gone on, making the most of the time you have should be a priority for EVERYONE. In light of that, I want to give you my six tips to boost your energy that way you’re ready for any summer activity thrown your way!
I feel like a lot of people put exercise and a healthy diet on the back burner because we were stuck inside due to Covid. In turn, I think some people may not be ready for the fun summer activities they once enjoyed because our energy levels have dropped and we don’t have the endurance we once did! Take the six tips to heart so that you don’t waste precious time you could be spending outside with friends and family!
1. Drink plenty of water. Consuming the recommended amount of water daily is one of the best things you can do for your health. Not only does it help fight off fatigue and low energy, it also helps in your digestion, is the first best option for a natural headache remedy, and also improves your skin! The recommended amount of water differs between sex: Female is 11 1/2 cups, male is 15 1/2 cups.
2. Exercise. You knew this was coming! I realize it’s hard to exercise because you need energy to do it, but you only get energy if you exercise! It’s a cycle, so you just have to get over that initial few weeks hump and then your body will thank you, I promise! Exercise is one of the best ways to improve your mood, as you release endorphins when you work out and those make you happy! My best advice for starting to exercise is getting a partner, or joining a program. Accountability makes it way easier to exercise! We have a new exciting summer schedule for our Group Virtual Wellness classes, make sure to check out page 4 of the newsletter to see what we’re offering!
3. Practice a good diet. I know it’s hard because we feel like we’re so busy all of the time, but a good diet can work wonders for your energy. Making sure you get the important proteins that your body needs to have energy throughout the whole day is a must. Weather that’s meat, or a substitute for it, like nuts or grains, a good meal can go a long way. Get your daily intake of fruits and vegetables, and make sure you’re eating a balanced diet. If you’re too busy to cook every night, you can take the weekends to meal prep and you don’t have to even worry about cooking throughout the week!
4. Get enough sleep. I’ve done a lot of research on sleep cycles. If you ever want to really get into it, give me a call! The recommended time of sleep you should get each night is between seven and nine hours. This of course is dependent upon your age, but sleep is the tip I feel like is the most instant in boosting energy, and is the root of why some people have low energy. You can eat as many veggies and exercise as much as you want, but if you’re running on hardly any sleep you can’t make up for that easily! If you have trouble getting to sleep, put your phone down before you get into bed, the lights can make it harder for you to relax!
5. Prioritize mental health. I wrote an entire newsletter at the beginning of the pandemic about making sure you were giving yourself a mental break. A lot has happened this past year, and I know that people realized the importance of taking care of themselves physically, as well as emotionally. Something I like to do is start off my day by thinking about what I’m grateful for. This puts me in a better mindset so that no matter what I must tackle or what’s to come the rest of that day, I know I can handle it because I count myself lucky with everything I do have.
6. Get expert help. Are you ready to get active but don’t know where to start? Are you in pain and feel like you can’t exercise because of it? There are so many reasons why people don’t exercise, and one of them I find that is fairly common is because they have an injury that they’re worried will get worse if they exercise it. Ever heard of the phrase “motion is lotion”? This means that if you’re stiff and have an injury, working out can actually help it. I know taking the step to even ask for help can be scary or vulnerable, so we want to be here for when you are. If you’re in pain and you’re not able to exercise, or do what you love, and want to get back to a happier, more energetic life, call us! We’ll be happy to set up a free consultation with a Doctor of Physical Therapy.
Are you wanting to get back to a happier, healthier life? Do you feel like you’ve lost energy because you’ve grown weaker, or are unable to do the things you used to love because of pain or injury?
A Physical Therapist can help get you back on track to a happier, pain-free life- one where you can enjoy getting outside when the weather’s nice (like this summer!), or doing basic daily tasks that are made difficult, if not impossible, by pain.
