Life is busy, right? Everyone has weeks where they work hard, play hard and feel exhausted. However, true fatigue is different from those types of feelings.
Fatigue includes feeling weak, experiencing muscle pain and sometimes swollen glands and a general lacking of energy. When we do something strenuous, our bodies can feel tired because they need to rest and repair themselves.
The difference between fatigue and being tired is that, with rest, feelings of tiredness go away. There are several factors, which can contribute to feelings of fatigue. Some of them are medical conditions, some are lifestyle factors, and some others are psychological problems.
Physical activity, a sedentary lifestyle, poor sleeping habits, excessive alcohol and caffeine consumption, and a processed food based diet can all have an impact on your energy levels, that’s why staying fit and energetic is so important.
Once a person makes the connection between food and how they feel it’s easy to realise how much it’s worth making the effort to look after yourself! Life is so much more enjoyable when you have the energy to do the things you love.
Don’t underestimate the power of your emotions either. Grief, stress, anxiety and depression can all lead to forms of fatigue, but whether your fatigue is due to mental, emotional, or physical problems, you can fight back by eating more of the super foods that are known to improve your health.
My top eight superfoods contain powerful nutrients that your body needs for energy.
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes have tons of energy stabilizing high fibre carbohydrates as well as 25 percent of your daily requirement of potassium which helps to lower blood pressure levels, which lowers stress on the body. Less stress means more energy!
Spinach
Spinach is full of iron, which will stop anemia. Iron will also deliver more oxygen to the cells of the body, which will give you more natural energy. This green goodness is also full of potassium, magnesium, vitamins B and C, and all of these things combined pack a powerful energy punch.
Pumpkin seeds
Pumpkin seeds are full of B Vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, iron, magnesium and iron. All of these nutrients work in combination with one another to improve your immune system and fight fatigue. Pumpkin seeds also promote healthy sleep and combats emotional fatigue due to their high levels of tryptophan.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal has carbs that the body will store to provide fuel for your muscles and brain all day long. This breakfast favourite has plenty of other healthy nutrients to offer such as magnesium, protein, phosphorus and vitamin B1. Oatmeal also contains plenty of fibre, which can stabilise blood sugar levels.
Beans
It’s time to start thinking about Mexican food! Beans are high fibre foods that have a healthy ratio of protein and complex carbs, not to mention important minerals such as copper, iron, magnesium, and potassium. This combination delivers long lasting energy!
Walnuts
Walnuts are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which can help relieve mild symptoms of depression. Walnuts also have both fibre and protein, which help to fight feelings of physical stress after a workout.
Watermelon
This favorite fruit is full of water and important electrolytes, which helps hydration. It is also high in nutrients that are known to offer the body energy such as iron, potassium, vitamin C, and lycopene.
Spirulina
Spirulina is amazing! It is high in amino acids and protein, and boosts a large dose of iron, B Vitamins, magnesium and is a complete protein. It helps to reduce inflammation, boosts antioxidants, fights stress, helps increase energy and brings balance to the body!
Including such foods in your diet can make such a difference to how you feel so why not try and include as many as you can in your daily regime.
