How to Get More Energy, From Morning to Night
All-day energy
We work, we plan, we organize, we go, fueling ourselves on coffee and pure determination. Until, that is, we fall onto the sofa in a stupor. More of us are struggling with energy issues, experts say; they point to the weak economy, which has us working harder and plugging in longer, and the belief that we can have it all (so what if we’re up till midnight making it happen).
“Just like houseplants need water, our energy reserves need regular replenishing,” says psychologist Michelle Segar, PhD, associate director of the Sport, Health, and Activity Research and Policy Center for Women and Girls at the University of Michigan.
To the rescue: strategies that will keep you humming along—and, happily, don’t take much effort.
Stay energized all morning
What works against your a.m. mojo: “We’ve been essentially in a starvation state all night,” says Gregory Dodell, MD, an endocrinologist in New York City.
What’s working for you: “At the same time, we experience spikes in cortisol and testosterone, important hormones for energy that help get us moving,” Dr. Dodell adds.
You want to fuel up and max out that hormone high. The plan: Lights! Action! Breakfast!
Don’t delay the day
It’s so tempting to hit snooze when your alarm goes off in the morning. Problem is, “by falling back asleep you could be interrupting the hormone cycle, which can make it harder to get going,” Dr. Dodell says.
Better to just set your alarm for 15 minutes later—and keep your clock across the room so you can’t reach out and silence it.