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Eight simple and all natural energy boosters – perfect for busy parents. Stay active, alert, and energetic all day long with these easy tips.
It’s no secret that children are adept at exhausting their parents. It sometimes feels like my husband and I spend every waking moment either at work or chasing our squealing toddler. There isn’t much downtime for either of us, and it’s been a long time since we’ve had the luxury of sleeping late or even through the night without interruption. Still, as most parents would tell you, we wouldn’t trade our life with C for all the feather beds and R.E.M. on Earth. While the last two years have easily been the most tiring of our lives, they have also been the most rewarding
Still, there are days when I wonder if I might just fall asleep standing up. On those extra sleepy days my son is almost guaranteed to be overflowing with energy. Perhaps it’s the universe’s way of keeping the family’s qì in balance – or maybe it’s fate’s idea of a cruel joke. Cosmic justifications aside, an over-tired parent and an abundantly energetic child can be a recipe for trouble. Those are the days when I need to take some extra steps to help muster enough pep to get through the day.
Over the past two years I’ve developed a few energy boosters for fueling my mind and body on those days when I’m dragging my feet. These healthy practices can be a boon on any day, but I find them to be especially useful on the days where I’m feeling a little sleepy.
Morning Walk – What better way to put a positive spin on an early wake-up than going for a morning walk? Exercising at the day’s start can help boost energy levels all day long. This is a great example of making the most of a crumby situation – like having your kid jump on your head at 4:00am. If you’re up anyway, you may as well do something to help yourself feel better about it. (Chocolate chip pancakes don’t hurt either.)
Sneak in a Shower – I am going to go out on a limb and assume that I’m not the only parent who counts a shower as a luxury. Depending on your childcare situation and schedule, an unscheduled shower can be a tricky thing to pull off. But if you can manage it, a healthy spray of water can be just the thing to wake you up. If a real shower isn’t in the cards, try just splashing your face with water or even dousing your head in the sink.
Power Nap – An even less likely option than showering for some parents, but again, if you can make it happen, bravo! A short nap, even as brief as 15-20 minutes can do wonders for your overall feeling of wellness. Try and sneak in a snooze while your little one naps, or grab a quick sleep break when your partner or sitter arrives.
Power Snacks – Try snacking on foods packed with energy boosters, like vitamins and minerals such as B12, magnesium and potassium. Some great examples of healthy power snacks are almonds, dark chocolate, berries, peanut butter and bananas. Fresh fruit and power greens always make me feel a little better too. This kale and blueberry salad is one of my favorite power snacks.
Eat Lunch Outside – A little boost of Vitamin D can help to improve your mood, while the burst of sunlight and fresh air will help remind your body that it is, indeed, awake! If you have your kiddo in tow, this doubles as a way to get some of their excess energy out. Let them play hard while you soak up some rays.
Hydrate – Drinking plenty of fluids is key to good health in general, but is specifically useful for feeling awake and energetic. Being even mildly dehydrated can leave you feeling fatigued, so chug those liquids all day long. Adding a squirt of lemon to your water can add electrolyte benefit too!
Early to Bed, Early to Rise – Strangely enough, I often have a hard time falling asleep on the days I am most tired. This can be really frustrating, and can prolong the torture of exhaustion. I’ve learned to be pro-active when it comes to recovering from sleepless nights by heading straight to bed after putting my son to sleep. An added bonus to getting to bed early is being able to wake up before my son the next morning. Having some precious alone time when I first wake up is a real treat, and helps make me feel more together all day long.
Dance Party – Nothing gets your blood flowing like good old fashioned exercise. When you feel like you’re really hitting a wall try turning up the music and dancing like you’ve got your own music video. Your kid will love it, and you’ll definitely be more awake after a song or two.
In addition to energy boosters like these, finding a nutritional supplement that works well for you can be a big help. I took Maca Powder for the first time last year while I was trying to conceive. I had learned about the supplement while researching fertility diets, and found that this natural root vegetable, cultivated in the Andes mountains of Peru, has been traditionally used for both food and nutritional purposes. Traditional used for Maca Powder include promoting energy, balancing hormones, aiding sexual function, and the relief of PMS and menopause symptoms.*
I was asked to try out youtheory® Maca Powder previous to writing this post. Having tried several brands of Maca Powder over the past year I could immediately tell that youtheory® Maca Powder was superior in quality to the varieties that I had tried in the past. I found the aroma and flavor of this Maca Powder to be quite mild and easy to blend with everyday foods like smoothies or yogurt. It works especially well in anything with a nutty or spicy flavor. My personal favorite way to enjoy youtheory® Maca Powder is to stir it into pumpkin flavored yogurt.
So what makes youtheory® Maca Powder a great supplement for tired parents? Maca is regarded as a “superfood” and is an “adaptogenic botanical”, meaning that it helps the body adapt to stress and supports normal functions throughout the body. It’s considered safe for long-term use, and it can benefit both men and women by helping to encourage healthy hormone levels.*
Nothing messes with my mood and energy level like having my hormones swing out of whack, so I pretty much LOVE Maca Powder. Since this supplement is also used to support reproductive health*, I’m crossing my fingers that making Maca Powder a part of my daily routine will help my body get in better shape for baby-making. We’re currently trying to conceive without the use of prescription drugs or treatments. (Mostly because we can’t afford that path financially, but also due to the fact that my toddler is still not ready to wean. Ugh.) Cross your fingers for us!
And while you are doing something nice for me, do yourself a favor and think about how you’re going to give yourself a little extra energy every day. Will you pledge to take power naps, make morning walks your new healthy habit, or maybe try adding a supplement like youtheory® Maca Powder to your meal plan? Let me know what you’re planning to try (and how it works out for you) in the comments below!
Want to learn more about the benefits of youtheory® products and see how others are using them? Check out RestandRenew.com for more info. You can also follow youtheory® on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Look for youtheory® Maca Powder and other Maca Powder products on Costco.com, and FYI – you don’t need to be a Costco member in order to shop on their website!
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.