Are you tired? Like so damn tired? I haven’t felt this level of tired really ever. I am running on fumes most times and by 2 pm I am usually ready for a nap! I’m a full time mama. I am with my kids all day every day + it is down right exhausting. I love it but I’m not going to pretend it isn’t freakin’ draining. Plus I’m peppering in pockets of time to build my essential oils business AND consult for my bff’s company in San Diego. I usually roll out of bed at 6:00 am and run run run until 9:00 pm then (if I’m not already passed out on the couch) watch a space documentary (yes we LOVE The Cosmos) on Netflix and crash.

How does one fit in all the other dimensions of life like meal planning, cooking, cleaning, shopping, taking care of oneself (showering) and making the hubby feel loved, spending QT with the dog and catch up with friends, etc etc etc. AH! It’s actually one of my favorite topics to chat about these days with my fellow parent friends. Even my Dad buddies feel me… we are walking zombies sometimes. How to beat this without over doing it on coffee and wine?

Here are some ideas to boost energy:

HYDRATE: Drink lots and lots and lots of water. According to a recent article in Redbook magazine, ” When you feel thirsty, you’ve already lost 2 to 3 percent of your body fluid. Even this mild dehydration can make you feel tired or lethargic: Your blood volume lowers, which means you don’t get as much blood to your brain and your heart has to pump harder.” I bought a cute water bottle and bring it with me everywhere. I also have a water bottle at home with a straw which makes it that much easier to gulp it down!

DIFFUSE UPLIFTING ESSENTIAL OILS: We are big essential oils fans! I turn to an oil for support in nearly every area of my life, and its so awesome to have a tangible tool that can shift my energy levels! Of course there are MANY oils that can boost energy naturally through inhalation or topical application but my favorites are Orange, Peppermint, Bergamont + Lemon! When you smell essential oils, your body responds by releasing endorphins (which can help relaxation), seratonin (which aids in calming), and even noradrenaline (which is a stimulant). (Woods-Lavoie, 2001).  These responses mean that just the act of inhaling essential oils can help your body calm, relax, or get energized!

ANTIOXIDENT SUPPORT: get your super-foods in! We all know how important nutrition is to our overall wellness. If you are feeling tired + lethargic try cutting out processed foods, sugar + some carbs. Try adding in nutrient dense foods like dark leafy greens + fruits high in Vitamin C to give your immune system a boost. I have been making green smoothies mid-morning (check out @simplegreensmoothies for amazing healthy smoothie recipes). I also love green tea, chia seeds and Ningxia Red (goji berry superfood drink) for supplementing my nutrition. Gotta beat those free radicals by creating an unfriendly environment!

SKIP THE CAFFEINE: I’ve tried this a few times and did notice a difference. Skip the morning coffee and drink lemon water or tea instead. Wait until mid-morning or after lunch to treat yourself to a coffee. Or try the Bulletproof Coffee, “Bulletproof Coffee is not your average latte. It’s a high-performance drink that has a massive impact on your energy and cognitive function.” Basically you blend your coffee with ghee (grass fed butter) to make a foamy latte… According to bulletproof’s website, “Grass-fed butter is higher in essential nutrients. Your body craves good fats for hormone balance and brain health. But good quality, grass-fed butter also contains omega-3 fatty acids, beta-carotene, fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, CLA (a fatty acid with powerful fat-loss benefits), and antioxidants.”

EXERCISE: haven’t tried this one yet but I’ve heard from some mamas who swear by a mid-afternoon workout video or yoga session while the kiddos are napping. Sounds like a perfect thing to do before sitting down at the computer to get some work done! The American Council on Exercise recommends at least 2 1/2 hours of moderate physical activity and notes “researchers found that adults who engaged in as little as 20 minutes of low-to-moderate aerobic exercise, three days a week for six consecutive weeks, reported feeling less fatigued and more energized. ” So what are some quick ways to get your heart rate up while you are home and your kiddos are taking a nap? Put your headphones in and have an epic dance party for 5 songs! Or if you want a more structured approach try YouTube, there are SO many great videos for working out at home. I also really like The Daily Burn which has TONS of workout videos you can do at home.

NAP: Research shows that a quick  10-to-20-minute power nap helps boost energy + alertness. So go ahead weary mamas + dads… just take a quick power nap and then get on with your day!

What do you do to boost your energy levels??