If you’ve been wanting to increase your daily exercise, but you never seem to have the energy to hit the gym, you’re in the right place. It’s difficult to find the motivation for a regular workout when you’re constantly fighting fatigue.
By the time you’re done with work for the day, chances are you just want to curl up on the sofa and do nothing.
However, the reality is that exercise isn’t going to make you more exhausted – it’s actually going to boost your energy in the long-term. The more you move, the more you’ll want to move, boost your energy and reduce feelings of fatigue.
Improving your muscle tone and body weight will also give you a significant energy boost in the months ahead.
How Can Exercise Increase Energy?
A study from the University of Georgia found inactive people who normally complained of fatigue could improve their energy levels by up to 20%, while reducing fatigue by up to 65%. All they needed to do to get this energy boost was participate in some low-intensity exercises.
Although exercising might make you feel tired after you go through an intense workout, it actually creates energy and improves fatigue more than you’d think. As you move around, your body takes the challenge of motion as an invitation to create more energy.
This energy boost happens on a cellular level and pushes your body to access more energy stores, like glycogen and fat.
Using Exercise to Increase Energy: Low Intensity Movement
Although it may sound counter-productive, if you’re constantly feeling drained and tired, consider investing in more exercise routines.
Anyone battling low levels of energy can improve their chances of reducing fatigue by simply adding more workouts to their exercise routine. However, it’s important to find the right exercising strategies.
A low-intensity option is often the top choice among professionals. When your energy levels are already depleted, you struggle to complete that challenging CrossFit session you’ve always wanted to accomplish at the gym.
Shorter bursts of low intensity exercise make more sense.
Going for a walk, jogging around the block, or just doing some basic exercise that doesn’t raise your heart rate too much, like Tai Chi, Qi Cong or Yoga, will make a huge difference to how you feel.
As you get fitter, you might find that what counts as a “low intensity” exercise for you also begins to change.
For instance, initially, you might start your energy workout with a session of stretching exercises. As you begin to develop more energy, you can begin your morning or evening with a run, then wind down into stretches before bed.
Get Outdoors for a Bigger Energy Boost
Have you ever noticed how you always have an easier time staying awake and focused in the fresh air? Getting outside is a wonderful way to refresh your mind and body. As the weather cools, outside exercise can be more appealing.
I live in the desert and it’s still over one hundred degrees every day, in September. I can’t wait for December and January for cooler weather. We have Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners outside and that tells you that I am speaking relatively when I say “cooler weather”.
Neal and our Siamese cat, Merlin, do “Tree Yoga” in the back yard in the mornings. That means they stretch under a beautiful tree in the back yard.
A basic walk outside is enough to get started, and being surrounded by nature will make a real difference to your mood and stress levels.
Once again, as your energy levels begin to increase, you can do other outdoor activities that give you a bit more of a challenge, like going for a jog, a run or a hike. You can also do things like cycling. You might take part in a team or group-based exercise if you need extra motivation to keep going some days.
If you have Silver Sneakers insurance coverage, you can do classes of all kinds by Zoom or in gyms. Personally, I do the Tai Chi (EnerChi) and Yoga Zoom classes several times each week. I am amazed at the muscle tone I have gained in my legs. Woohoo!! I also feel great on the days I indulge in these classes.
When you promise your friend that you’re going to meet them for a bike ride, you’re much less likely to cancel just because you feel tired. Having someone else hold you accountable can give you the extra boost you need to get over that initial fatigue.
Seeing other people can also give you a social boost that elevates your mood and energy levels.
Be Careful Not to Overtrain
Finally, while pushing yourself through a period of fatigue can mean that you need to challenge yourself, that doesn’t mean pushing yourself past your limits.
Exercise can help you to overcome your low energy levels and feelings of fatigue, but it’s important to refrain from pushing yourself faster or further than you can reasonably handle. Listen to your body and obey what it tells you!
Water is extremely important while exercising! Water is the “joint juice” your body needs to lubricate your fascia so it slides instead of sticking. Consider electrolyte drinks to replenish hydration. I drink coconut water, everyday, because electrolyte drinks have artificial sweeteners which make me sick (sensitivities). The coconut water has less magnesium than sports drinks, but works for me.
Overtraining will cause you to feel more overwhelmed and fatigued, making it harder for you to get back to your routine the next day.
If you’re concerned that you’re exercising too much and not leaving enough time for recovery, speak to a professional for guidance. If you are exercising too little and feeling no difference in your energy levels, a professional can guide you.
