Drink the right drinks
Being dehydrated can slow your metabolism, so I’m going to start keeping water in my fridge at all times. I’m still not crazy about plain water, so I’m adding mint and lemon to boost its drinkability. I was also running to Starbucks on a daily basis for a tall Skinny Latte boost, but I realized that I quickly adapted to the increased caffeine and it was no longer giving me a lift. So it’s out with the added sugar and caffeine; experts agree that they’re terrible substitutes for sleep, anyway. I’m also giving up alcohol, which is a depressant and can make us quick to fall asleep. But booze also interferes with our deep, restorative sleep waves later in the night (see why in this video), so even if it knocks me out before bed, I still won’t feel much better in the morning.

Limit sugars
While there aren’t studies that actually show that simple sugars zap our energy levels, I think it’s prudent to get most of your carbohydrates from the slower-burning complex carbs, like whole-grain oats, brown rice, whole-wheat pastas, and breads. We do know that sugars cause our blood-sugar levels to increase more quickly—and then drop precipitously afterward. The more we can even out our blood sugar highs and lows, the less we’re at risk for an energy crash.

Sleep more instead of eat more
Instead of burning the candle at both ends and using food and beverages to help keep me awake and energized, I’ve started taking a novel approach and, yep, sleeping more. This has taken a bit of rearranging in my schedule: I politely decline work dinners and receptions and say that I’m on a deadline that needs to be completed the next day. I know it’s a bit antisocial, but really, no one seems to mind; I think they want to go to bed too!

If you’re having trouble sleeping, try cutting back on caffeine after lunch and avoiding eating too much—especially spicy or hard-to-digest food—close to bedtime. If that doesn’t work, talk to your doctor about trying sleep hygiene tricks or short-term medication. Studies show that people who are sleep deprived are at a higher risk of obesity, and that their bodies actually create more of the hormone that makes you hungry and less of the one that makes you feel full! So I’m also looking at it as an investment in my waistline—plus, I know it’s the best way to get me out of this energy deficit, rather than dig a deeper hole.

(PHOTO: 123RF)