It’s no surprise that wanting to remain energetic after 50 is so high up on the health meter. Wanting more energy is evidence of vitality and a healthy appreciation for life, and there are many simple ways to boost your energy level and improve your overall health.
Energy and fitness go hand in hand, that’s why, staying active and fit promotes a healthy, energetic lifestyle. Staying encouraged and motivated to be active in another story! Here are five simple ways to boost energy, stay motivated and increase vitality after fifty.
It Only Takes 30 Minutes
Regular exercise improves your strength and increases your energy level, according to the National Institute on Aging. You don’t have to hit the gym hard to get benefits, either — just 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise on most days of the week is enough to make a positive difference. Brisk walking, gardening, dancing, biking and playing actively with your grandkids all work. Find something you enjoy, and do it often.
Stay Frisky
Sex provides a much larger energy surge than a cat nap could ever provide. Your sexual energy is one of the greatest sources of untapped healing energy and vitality. It’s simple, natural and fun. Sex stimulates the release of the hormone oxytocin, which not only helps to lower your blood pressure but also gives you a feeling of love, calmness and empathy. You become more focused and productive when you are in these relaxed states. The benefits of a healthy sex life don’t stop there… In his book You: The User’s Manual, Dr. Oz Mehmet quotes a Duke University survey that concluded that more than 200 orgasms a year could reduce your physiological age by six years. Among the elite classes of ancient China, sex provided more than pleasure. They regarded the harnessing of this sexual energy through intercourse as a powerful healing tool. Yet, unlike the West, orgasm is often not the goal. To them, sex’s healing power comes from the combination of the yin (feminine) and the yang (masculine) energies that occurs during intercourse.
Get A Good Night’s Rest
Aging is the most important factor affecting your sleep rhythm, according to Harvard Medical School physician Julie K. Silver. Your risk of insomnia increases as you age, and even if you’re not an insomniac, you may experience less time in deep sleep. A good night’s rest is critical in maintaining a healthy energy level during the day. Going to bed at the same time every night and following a nightly routine may also help improve sleep quality and quantity.
Eat Your Veggies
The link between what you eat and how energetic you are feeling is an obvious one. Eating healthy, nutrient-dense foods promotes better vitality and higher energy levels. When you are tired, you’re more likely to crave sugary and salty foods that are low on nutrients. Fight those urges by keeping nutrient-rich foods close by. Fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, yogurt or hard-boiled eggs. Eating smaller, high protein meals throughout the day may be just what the Dr. order to spike those energy levels throughout the day, according to AARP.
Drink Lots Of Water
Every day you lose water through your breath, perspiration, urine and bowel movements. For your body to function properly, you must replenish its water supply by consuming beverages and foods that contain water. As little as a 1 to 2 percent change in hydration levels affects your energy, especially if you’re slightly dehydrated to start, says Cedric X. Bryant, chief science officer with the American Council on Exercise (ACE). “Hydration at the cellular level is needed to fuel your activities. Dehydration could impair these chemical reactions,” he notes. The color of your urine is the simplest way to determine if you need more water. Pale- to lemon-colored urine indicates ample hydration, but dark urine means it’s time to drink up, says Bryant.
