If you’re anything like me, the first thing you reach for when you are tired is a nice steaming cup of coffee, or a latte with an extra shot of espresso. Our brains are geared to scream “caffeine!” and often we reach for sugary treats when we are fading or need a pick me up.
However, there are other key components that weigh in when it comes to supporting you energy wise.
Here are a few that perhaps you have overlooked or don’t automatically come to mind.
Hydration, fresh air & color:
There is nothing more refreshing than a big tall glass of water! Living in Sitka, I am fortunate to be able to drink natural well water. I am even more fortunate, and so are you, if you live in Sitka or in the Northwest Coast to step out your front door to breathe in the brisk fresh air and pick salmonberries!
By starting your morning, or even perking up your late afternoon slump by picking a bowl of berries to eat, you are stimulating your senses. Bright reds, oranges and yellows are warm colors (and the colors of our salmonberries) that evoke optimism and energy. (Follow this link to read this article on colors for more details https://99designs.com/designer-blog/2011/09/08/how-color-impacts-emotions-and-behaviors/). Salmonberries burst in your mouth with sweetness, giving you an added natural sugar boost to help your energy levels. Just moving around to pick berries helps get your blood flowing. With vitamins such as vitamins, A, C, calcium, potassium and iron they offer an added health benefit to kickstart your day.
Also, by hydrating your body you are helping deliver nutrients that you have eaten or taken by supplements that otherwise would be stagnant.
Go green (or black, or red)
You’ve heard, “Eat your spinach!” or even tried Fish Eye’s delicious Kale smoothies, but have you heard that seaweeds and sea greens can really help you sustain energy levels? Two reasons I want to bring your attention to are the benefits of iodine in sea greens and secondly that sea greens help you purify your blood.
A body lacking iodine will often feel sluggish and lethargic. Adding seaweed (and there’s plenty to choose from in Alaska: black seaweed, dulse, sea lettuce, kelp, and bladderwrack….not to mention the sea greens such as beach asparagus, goose tongue…you really have a wide variety to pick from, literally!) will give your body that little bit of iodine that is so needed.
Since it is well known that diets low in iron contribute to low energy levels, incorporating seaweeds and greens that are rich in iron can be beneficial to increasing energy.
Blood purifying: By purifying your blood, you help rid your body of toxins that can cause you to be sluggish and feeling less energized. The chemical composition of seaweeds is so close to human blood plasma, that they are excellent at regulating and purifying our blood. (I found that amazing!) Just another reason to munch on some dried seaweed.