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Banish Late Afternoon Energy Slumps

by Nicole Dorsey Straff

You know how it feels to tucker out: Close to the end of the workday and your  morning energy has dwindled to a little sad flicker. Can you even muster the energy to get in your car for the commute home? Nutritionist Jonny Bowden, Ph.D. says it won’t surprise anyone that exercise tops the list of daily revitalizers. Here’s how to naturally enhance your own stamina:

Walk for 15 minutes twice a day. Even that collective 30 minutes a day is enough to keep energy from dipping, improving oxygen consumption and revving your metabolic processes, he said.  When it comes to consistent exercise all the experts agree: More is better. If at the end of the day you can barely open a yoga mat, start your exercises lying down or stretching gently with deep breathing. Progress from there.

Take CoQ10. This naturally occurring compound plays a major role in cellular energy production and wellness. “We make it in every cell in our body but our ability to do so declines with age,” said Bowden.  While CoQ10 is one of the most important nutrients for the heart, daily supplements like CocoaWell® CoQ10 advanced formula not only ups your energy, but also helps maintain functioning of the entire cardiovascular system.

Eat and Drink wisely. Use food as fuel to prepare your muscles for exercise and the rest of your healthy lifestyle. Instead of eating processed foods for lunch and snacks, stick with foods that optimize digestion and offer nutrient-dense calories during the day.

Jonny Bowden

Jonny Bowden

Author of The Great Cholesterol Myth, Bowden provided three quick examples of eating to fuel a workout: Canned tuna contains tyrosine, a precursor to the energy-giving neurotransmitter dopamine; dark cocoa (60% and up) contains a mild healthy stimulant called theobromine; and green tea contains moderate amounts of caffeine but also contains L-theanine, a mood stabilizing amino acid.

Alleviate Stress. “One major reason for an empty energy tank is stress,” said Bowden. Stress can rob you of energy, causing fatigue and a wide range of health issues. Take supplements, drink soothing tea, learn how to meditate and tap into a spiritual practice as well, he said. To battle anxiety, Bowden suggested taking herbs, including ashwagandha, rhodiola rosea and schisandra, three powerful “adaptogenic herbs that help the body adjust to mental stress.”

To feel rejuvenated also hydrate properly throughout the day, get adequate sleep, and take your herbs and vitamins for more get-up-and-go.

Without drowning in afternoon lattes, what do you do to rev your energy?

Photo credit: John Ganun

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