An easy example – I aim to practise yoga five mornings out of the seven. Initially I thought that a daily practise would work to rejuvenate my body and mind. It took a while, but eventually I realised that in fact practising five morning straight actually sapped me of energy. Now I break it up throughout the week, which reignites my body and therefore I avoid feeling strung out and anxious.

So, do consider all the stressors in your life, especially if you are consistently tired. Are you exercising too much, or not enough? Are you in a toxic relationship that leaves you feeling drained, or perhaps your work is incredibly stressful and you aren’t able to switch off. 

Now, let’s return to food – a chemical stressor. It is one of the most important factors in energy and vitality. 

Perhaps you have considered your mental, emotional and physical stress and feel that these aren’t the problem… well, then could it be your food.

What are foods that deplete energy?

• Caffeine/Coffee

• Soft Drinks

• Alcohol

• Too much or not enough meat

• Processed foods

• Sugar – even hidden in ‘healthy snack bars’

• Dairy

• Artificial Sweeteners

• Trans Fats

• Cigarettes

Sorry to all the coffee lovers. I know – coffee always cops a hit. Now I’m by no means saying it’s ‘wrong’ but it might be providing you with a false sense of vitality. You know that buzz that leaves you feeling chatty and alert? Well once it wears off it tends to leave you with a duller feeling than you did before. Worse still these stimulants draw out minerals and nutrients from our system, which gives the body the added job to manage this depletion.

Take a look at these foods and identify where they sit in your diet. Daily perhaps? Which ones do you depend on to feel ‘vital and energetic’? Your answer could indicate that you are getting your energy from a false source.

Now it’s not all bad news. There are foods that increase our energy. Thankfully!

What are foods that increase energy?

Local and seasonal whole fresh foods.

• Fresh vegetables – especially dark leafy greens

• Fresh fruit

• Whole grains complete with fibre, vitamins and minerals – quinoa, millet, oats, brown rice

• Good quality fats – nuts, seeds, avocadoes, whole milk yoghurt, oily fish, grass-fed lamb and beef, coconut oil, olive oil

• Superfoods – Chia seeds, acai, goji berries, cacao, sea plants like seaweed, spirulina, vital greens

• Fresh, purified water!

These are all simple, readily available and very powerful sources of energy. The result is a strong, happy, energetic body and mind.

So if you are ready to reduce caffeine, drink more water, eat plenty of greens and add superfoods in your diet that is brilliant news. Increasing the nutrition you provide your body is paramount. But before you hurry off to stock your fridge do consider one or two other factors in your life. 

Always Tired - Tips on Getting More Energy

• How are you sleeping: do you go to sleep when the body tells you its ready and rise with the sun?

• Can you enjoy some quiet time, alone – savouring ‘me’ time.

• Are your relationships nurturing you or do they drain you. Are you happy in your career?

• Do you take time to meditate? Or tap into spirituality – whatever that means to you?

Energy and vitality are important. Because once you have it regularly you begin to see how easy it is to achieve your goals, to live life – not just getting by – and to be the best version of yourself. All it takes is a little T.L.C

Do you often feel low in energy? What do you think could be contributing to your lack of vitality?