Where Has All My Energy Gone? 
Do you ever feel like the sleep you get is never enough? Do you wake up in the morning to the scream of your alarm and think, "Is it Friday yet?"

Well, I certainly can relate. I remember a time when my energy level would rise and drop several times throughout the day and I would use sugar (and sometimes a little caffeine) to wake me up.

Chronic fatigue, lethargy and having a case of the constant yawns are not fun to deal with on a daily basis. The good news is that YOU have the power to boost your energy and keep it consistently high all day...And you can do this without the use of either of your favorite stimulants, caffeine and sugar.

In fact, the coffee you're drinking every day and the sugary sweets or simple carbs like pasta, breads, and the like, are making matters worse. Your dependency on caffeine and sugar has created a vicious cycle that is really difficult to break.

So, what can you do? There are several things you can start doing right now that can make all the difference in the world. Give these tips a try and let me know which ones work for you.

Tip #1: Breathe. Have you ever noticed how shallow your breath is during the day? Do you tend to hold your breath when you're stressed (most of us do)? Give your body the oxygen it needs to keep your cells working optimally. Take several 1-2 minutes breaks throughout the day to do breathing exercises like the one posted on my blog page.

Tip #2: Take a walk/exercise. I know it seems counter-intuitive, but exercise actually gives you more energy rather than deplete it (unless of course you're suffering from severe Adrenal Fatigue). For most of us, taking a walk or engaging in any type of physical activity has huge energy boosting effects on the body. I recommend exercising first thing in the morning to power up and get your metabolism going.

Tip #3: Eat more raw, live food. Foods in their raw form have all of their naturally occurring vitality and enzymes in tact. Living foods provide us with more energy than that from "dead" or processed foods. Summer is the perfect time to incorporate more salads and fruit in our diet. I suggest eating 40 -75% of your diet raw as this will help shed weight and keep you energy fired up!

Tip #4: Eat raw cacao. Raw cacao or raw chocolate is considered a superfood due to its high antioxidant content and nutritional power. You can buy raw chocolate bars or buy raw cacao powder and nibs to make your own healthy treats. Raw cacao gives you an energy boost and is a great source of protein, iron, calcium, magnesium, fats, thiamine and riboflavin. Try my favorite chocolate dessert, Creamy Dreamy Chocolate Delight!

Tip #5: Get consistent sleep. Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day will do wonders for your energy. And shooting for 7-1/2 to 8 hours of sleep every night puts the icing on the cake. If you're not getting enough sleep on a regular basis not only will you be chronically tired, you're probably stressing out your adrenal glands. Make a good night's sleep a priority for one week and note the difference in your energy level.

Tip #6: Drink more water. Did you know that most of us are chronically dehydrated? Yep. Most people just don't drink enough water and this leads to all kinds of problems...like fatigue. Increase your water intake and be consistent every day. Drink more water on days when you exercise or sweat a lot due to the hot weather. You'll boost your energy, shed weight, improve your digestion and hydrate your skin, which can take years off!

Your Action Steps: Try one new tip every day for one week and then add another new tip in each subsequent week. And let me know how you're feeling in 6 weeks!

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