3 Surprising Energy Zappers | Motherhood Unplugged

Now with the age of social media you can find #momspiration at the click of a button. Everyone usually admits that although they may seem like they have mastered the art of 'doing it all,' life behind the scenes looks totally different. A quick stroll through your Instagram feed can encourage you with quotes like, "Just Do it!" by Nike while also bombarding you with photos of complete strangers who seem to be juggling motherhood, a successful blogging career, + loving marriage all while living in a neatly decorated home beautiful enough for the Homes & Gardens magazine.

Being exposed to completely contradicting paradigms is draining, exhausting and frustrating to say the least. One person tells you to relax, unwind and meditate with yoga, another retells triumphs of her fitness journey through heavy weight lifting while another travels the world in search of herself with nothing but a suitcase + passport in hand. We force ourselves to do more, travel further, purchase that product xyz said was a 'holy grail' item, go to bed later scrolling through the gram and wake up earlier with our phones in hand. Sounds exhausting, doesn't it?

A friend of mine recently contacted me with hopes that I may help her with health advice. Now I don't claim to be a guru but I've been approached on the subject a time or two in my day. She had been experiencing exhaustion first thing in the morning and had low energy during her AM work outs + had trouble falling asleep the night before. The advice I gave her was simple: unplug when going to bed and give yourself plenty of time to unwind before you hit the sac. Spray lavender mist on your pillows. Play relaxing music like the sound of the ocean waves crashing onto the shore and drink plenty of water. Also taking supplements like melatonin can help with sleep.

Here are some additional points that may help you break your habit of feeling low + lethargic:

You are bestfriends with your smartphone:

This is one point that many of us can relate to. If you're staring at your smartphone more than you'd like to admit then Houston you have a problem but you are far from alone. I charge my phone by my bedside which often leads to me checking my phone in bed when I should be recharging my brain. This habit can be sabotaging your sleep habits and contributing to your low energy levels. If you're like me try moving your phone to a charger in the kitchen next to the Keurig. Now you have a new routine of waking up, turning off your phone alarm and starting that pot of coffee instead of tapping into Instagram, Facebook or Shaderoom before your feet hit the ground. Remember, sleep is a biological need not a luxury so ditch that mindset of #nodaysoff and get some rest. Most people NEED 7-9 hours of sleep per night, I sure wish my newborns knew this lol

You can still read while in bed. Simply pick up an actual novel, hardcover book or magazine. It's still September, library card month, so get yourself one and read a bit more before bed. You can also change your bedtime routine to mirror your child's. Our kids eat, take a bath, brush their teeth then are read a story before they are left to stare into outerspace before they drift off to la la land. They don't have the opportunity to swipe left on their ipad before bedtime and maybe you should allow yourself the same.

You are not active enough:

For the majority of Americans, it's time to become more active. If you don't desire the environment of an actual gym you can certainly exercise for free in the comfort of your own home. I watch exercise videos at home on channels like BodyRockTV. In fact, when I was cleared to resume exercising after undergoing my breast augmentation, I worked out in my living room with Lisa Marie. I also am a proud gym-rat and go to Planet Fitness several times per week. It is the most affordable membership around at only $10 per month and they have all the basic equipment one could need with a 'no judgment' zone policy. Exercising can give you a boost of energy. It will leave you feeling enthused and ready to take on the day. Physical activity triggers your brain to release uplifting endorphins, those feel good chemicals that will boost your physical, emotional and mental well being for the duration of the day. So anytime you feel an energy slump stand up and do some physical activity. If you work in an office try walking the stairs, doing squats at your desk or even jumping jacks! Your mind + body will thank you!

Sugar is your friend:

I'm a stay at home mom and sometimes I notice when I'm not eating clean my body usually tanks at around 3:00PM, which is also the time of the day when I require the most energy because both of my kids are raging on full blast. When I put on that undesired extra 15lbs a few years ago it was because I ate all the time and all the wrong things due to stress. I was popping sour patch kids, candy fish, pizza, and sushi galore! You tend to think, oh a little sugar isn't going to hurt my waistline, but it does when your little treats are way too often. The best thing sugar does is offer you temporary gratification through a sugar spike and rush in your blood level but what goes up must come down. Basically, sugar is an energy loan shark.

When you feel that slump at 3PM your body needs more protein to stabilize your blood sugar. Healthy choices include almonds paired with cheese n whole grain crackers, peanut butter with celery + rice cakes, or apples with nut butter etc. I also take a supplements for energy, Ashwagandha along with vitamin B 12. They increase my focus without leaving me jittery like some pre-workouts tend to do. I also started incorporating more Ayurvedic haircare into my routine and use Mahabhringaraj oil on my scalp. You massage the oil on your head 10-15 minutes before bed to get a sound and undisturbed sleep while benefiting your hairs health.

Do you have some great ways to boost your energy through the day? Please share I'm always looking for ways to improve my health.

Source, The Complete Guide to Beating Sugar Addiction.

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