How to Naturally Increase Your Energy Levels After 40
They say that forty is the new twenty, and with so many cougars gracing the pages of fashion magazines, practically looking like twenty-year-olds, you’re starting to believe it. But the truth of the matter is that no amount of collagen, restylane, makeup, or airbrushing can give you back the energy you had in your twenties, even if the products you use come packed with cellulite-fighting caffeine.
There’s just no denying that our energy levels begin to ebb as we age. However, there are steps you can take to boost your joie de vivre at any age, and you don’t need 5-Hour Energy or any other chemical-laden products to make it happen. You can do it safely, naturally, and best of all sustainably.
Here are a few tips to get you started.
Get More Sleep
There are three main ways to increase your energy levels naturally. The obvious one is to get more sleep. Most people who reach the age of forty are still gainfully employed at full-time jobs, many have kids in the house, and the majority just don’t get the full eight hours a night that will ensure they experience peak levels of energy. So if you’re feeling fatigued, you’re having trouble focusing, and you’re starting to experience issues with absentmindedness (car keys in the fridge? – enough said), a sleep deficit could definitely be to blame. Try making time for your beauty rest each night and you’ll soon catch up and find yourself facing each day with a lot more vim and vigor.
Change Your Diet
The second option is to change your diet, and there is a lot you can do here. The first thing you should consider is cutting out stimulants like caffeine and sugar. Say what?! Yes, you read that right. While these compounds can be used to bump up your energy level, they can only provide a short-term solution. And in the long run they will tax your brain and your body and leave you even lower than you were before, no doubt necessitating another candy bar or espresso shot before long just to get back to normal. If this sounds familiar, you’re caught in a trap. But there is an escape.
Skip the caffeinated beverages and sugary snacks and try something new. Fill the fridge in the break room with fruit, vegetables, and lean proteins (grilled chicken, smoked salmon, and low-fat dairy products, for example) to eat in combination when you need a boost. Don’t forget water; you’ll need plenty to hydrate you when you start going through caffeine withdrawals. All of these items will help to regulate your crazed system and get you to a place where normal, healthy foods provide all the energy you need.
Exercise
Finally, you should make time to squeeze some exercise into your daily routine. It’s not like you need a friend in health care administration to tell you that exercise is beneficial; you already know. What you may not realize is that it has been shown to boost energy. So in addition to helping you look great by shedding a few extra pounds and feel great with a rush of endorphins, it also boosts your heart rate, bringing more oxygen to every part of your body, which increases your physical energy and your mental acuity. And as your level of fitness increases, you will expend less energy on everyday tasks, leaving you with some to spare.
Sarah Danielson is a freelance writer and part time student. In her spare time she likes to go hiking and help with an animal rescue out of Los Angeles, California.
Real Women Fart
The other day, I was following along to running mp3 created by Jeanne Andrus, my virtual running coach from Ignite!Running Adventures for Women. Jeanne delightfully chatters away through the whole audio, and I just zen into her words. However, the other day something happened that brought me up short.
Jeanne was describing how to do the warm up stretches. The great thing about the audio clips is Jeanne is stretching and running right along with you. Well, there Jeanne was stretching and talking and all of a sudden I heard
Pffffffffffffffffffffffffftttttttttttttttttttttthhhhhhhhhhhhh
I stopped in my tracks as my brain attempted to process what that was.
Did Jeanne … did she … did she just …. FART?
Then I heard Jeanne calmly state “Oh, that happens sometimes. Now rock back on your left heel.”
How incredibly wonderful. Yes, that’s right, wonderful. And here is why.
Up until fairly recently, I avoided displaying all normal bodily functions in public. If anybody had heard me fart, I would have been mortified.
But not anymore.
Not like I go around cutting one all the time. I do try to hold it in when in public, but if it slips out it slips out. I just say excuse me, and carry on.
I have come to accept that real women do fart. Sometimes those farts smell bad.
Real women also have vaginal farts. Any woman who does yoga knows this.
Real women sweat when they have worked hard, or are feeling stressed. This can show up in armpit moisture and body odour.
Real women have snot pouring out of their nose when they are bawling.
Real women burp. Heck, sometimes they even belch.
I must say, it is a huge relief to take a cue from the boys and just accept bodily functions as normal. We have enough to concerns ourselves with. The occasional escaped …
Pffffffffffffffffffffffffftttttttttttttttttttttthhhhhhhhhhhhh
… is pretty insignifant.
Your turn
I was raised with this little poem
Better to squelch a belch and die in pain
Then belch a belch and die in shame
Are you a squelcher or a belcher?
Top Ten Excuses To Not Exercise Examined
I read a good article the other day on the Top 10 Reasons You Don’t Exercise. Why did I read this article? Because I am totally sporadic on sticking to an exercise program and was looking for some insight into why I always fall off the wagon.
I am going to walk through the top 10 reasons that were listed and see if anything resonates. If you struggle to ‘stick it out’, I invite you to do some analysis right along with me.
1. You don’t have time
I would like to tell myself I don’t have time, but there is that little voice inside my head that coughs out a “Bullshit”. Of course I have time. It’s a matter of not doing something else for those thirty minutes a day.
2. You can’t make the commitment to stick to an exercise routine
Hm, no I can’t even pretend to use that as an excuse. Of course I can make the commitment. My problem is I do not make the commitment.
3. Exercise HURTS!
Psshhh … three children delivered naturally. A tattoo on my inner wrist. Exercise pain? Comparatively small potatoes.
4. You can’t seem to stay motivated to continue working out.
Yep! This one is a big one. The couch is comfortable. Piddling away on the computer is addictive. It’s raining. It’s cold. I have PMS. When it comes to exercising, I am the Queen of Excuse Management.
5. You want to exercise but you have to take care fo the kids and family
Do cats count? No, eh?
6. You don’t know how to exercise
Nope, can’t add this to my list of excuses. I have yoga instructional videos, books on running, and now even my very own virtual running coach, Jeanne Andrus from Ignite!
7. You’re not seeing any changes in your body
Well, that’s part of it, but I know that it is because I never stick it out long enough for my body to transform.
8. You can’t afford a gym membership
I don’t need a gym membership. The two exercise styles I like are running and yoga. Both I can do at home. Besides, if I liked gyms, I could afford the membership.
9. You’ve tried to exercise but you keep quitting
To be honest, not sure why this is in the list. This isn’t an excuse. This is a fact. I keep quitting.
10. You really hate to exercise
Now here is the really stupid thing. I love to exercise. When I am actually doing it, I love it. Now how ridiculous is that?
Okay, so out of the ten reasons listed in the article, the primary reason for me boils down to not staying motivated.
Help me out, ladies!
How do you stay motivated?
Darn Near 50: Do you still want sex?
I have read a lot of articles, and heard lots of comments from other women, that when you are going through perimenopause and menopause you have no desire for sex. Something about your hormones being all out of whack.
I think I am there.
Only it is really weird, because intellectually I do want sex. I like sex, a lot! And quite often I will be the one to initiate. “Hey Marc!” wink wink … and off we fly to the bedroom (or wherever). But once we get there, my body refuses to play along. My mind is still there, but ain’t nothing happening down below.
I wonder, though, how much is hormone related and how much is more state of mind. I find I am either
- too tired, or
- too wired
I work 30 hours a week at my government job and 20 or more hours at Silver & Grace. I have a household to co-run, and I do try to squeeze in some exercise. If we go to bed after 9 p.m., sex just isn’t going to work. Heck, if we go to bed after 8 p.m., sex likely isn’t going to work. I am simply too tired.
Okay, well, a solution is to take a sex break during the day. Except I am too wired. My mind is whirling at 100 miles per hour, and I cannot shut it off. I try to think about the kissing and such stuff, but my brain is writing my next article, or designing my next mentoring module.
When we decide that we are going to take time to enjoy a sexual romp, and allow time for my mind to shut down, my body works just fine. Really really fine.
So, is it hormones?
Or is it the fact that I am a very busy, super creative, darn near fifty year old?
I honestly don’t know.
Be part of my book Darn Near 50!
Your valuable feedback will be used indirectly in the content of the book, or directly as quotes. Before the book is published, I will contact contributors to verify if they want to be anonymous, or if their real names can be used.
Ready?
- What are your experiences with aging and your desire for sex?
- Do you think lack of desire is hormone related, current state of affairs related, or a bit of both?
- Is it important to deliberately take time for intimacy? Do you make that time?
You can provide your thoughts
- right here in the comment section
- email me directly at eliza@silverandgrace.com
- by using this convenient form
Book Review: From Frazzled to Fantastic
More and more, science and self-awareness specialists are teaming up to prove the mind-body-spirit connection. The illusion we live under is that we are all separate individuals, in our own little bubbles. But in reality, we are all connected on a cellular level. As a nurse and wellness coach, Lynn Durham knows this well, and has put together a book, From Frazzled to Fantastic, of short pithy chapters that address not only the science behind the heart-mind connection but also clues as to how to increase our positivity.
Our challenge is to realize that we can change the way we act by changing the way we think. As author Lynn Durham, suggests, often it’s in the small things, a change of attitude, the courage to choose a loving response to a child’s request, counting our blessings, giving and thinking thanks… these are remedies offered in the book, From Frazzled to Fantastic, plus some practical tips to help us discover that ‘you’re only one thought away from feeling better’.
“Pessimism correlates with greater illness, passive responses and more negative life events”, says the author, quoting studies done by the HeartMath Institute in Boulder Colorado that show how negative emotions influence cardiac changes in the body, as well as draining our energy. Appreciation shifts our hearts to a more coherent rhythm (scientifically measurable) and an optimistic attitude leads to better physical and psychological health. The author believes that life is positive and in spite of obstacles, things will work out in the end. Every chapter shows a little anecdote to illustrate how you can use your thoughts to choose a loving response over a stressed-out or angry one.
Especially important is the “L” energy that connects us all, and all our cells. Well-being is shown to be about our connection with the Divine Force of love, opening our hearts and letting it flow. This doesn’t mean we ignore pain and sorrow. Lynn also suggests we be willing to feel our pain, and lean into it, embracing it, to avoid depression. Finally, “the key to healing ultimately lies in controlling your beliefs and emotions”, quoting Joseph Mercola, MD. Mind what you think, in other words, for you create your own state of health by having a healthy mind.
Lynn’s book is full of anecdotes and catchy phrases, inventive word play like the ‘Gratitude Adjustment’, ‘living in the pleasant’, and ‘forgiveness is for-giving you the gift of peace’. You may not have known it before you read this book, but happiness is a choice. We can either choose peace of mind and well-being or choose misery. Lynn Durham’s uplifting and practical brand of optimism works wonders on the reader. I recommend you read this book and experience its positive effect first-hand.
Jennifer Boire is a Silver & Grace book reviewer. When she is not reading, she is writing your own books, such as the Tao of Turning 50. Please visit Jennifer at Muse Mother.
Products For Women
From Frazzled to Fantastic has the Silver & Grace Seal of Approval as a valuable resource for women. It is available through Amazon.
From Frazzled to Fantastic! You’re One Thought Away From Feeling Better
You might also enjoy
The Hardline Self Help Handbook: What Are You Willing to Do to Get What You Really Want?
The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are
For more Silver & Grace approved books check out Eliza’s Recommendations.
Book Review: The Tao of Turning 50
I just finished reading The Tao of Turning 50 by Jennifer Boire. I am 65 years old, well past menopause but curious to see what I might not have known. I love the Tao theory and love it when applied to different subjects about life.
I am so happy to have this book and will share it with my 40-ish daughter. The trick will be getting her to take time to read it. The subject matter is truly what she needs to face. Slowing down to live and enjoy herself and her own body. Something many of us need to learn to do. Please if you are in this age bracket, get this book and read it like you would a bible.
I particularly like that in the short 120+ pages, Jennifer has given so much information. More than just her discourse on turning 50, but also quotes and links to other available books and websites on the subject.
It is written in a journal format allowing the reader the convenience to do some exercises chapter by chapter. It enforces and clears up each bit of advice along the way. The journaling makes it more effective. I have learned that writing something down puts it in my brain and is more apt to be retained.
I learned even at my age, something of value that I didn’t see when it happened to me back in those crucial years. At that time, I just muddled my way through and probably made it worse for myself and my family, not taking the bull by the horns and defeating the ugly monster.
We, as women, can never know too much about our bodies; and need, to accept and cherish ourselves.
If we don’t take care, who will?
Kathy Weber is a very active member of the Silver & Grace community and one of our official Book Reviewers. She is 64 years old, retired and loves to read informative, self help, nonfiction books. She is a wife, mother, and grandmother and now enjoys her free time to do what makes her happy. Reading is one of them.
Products for Women by Women
The Tao of Turning 50 has the Silver & Grace Seal of Approval as an excellent resource for women. It is available through Amazon.
The Tao of Turning Fifty: What Every Woman in Her Forties Needs to Know (Volume 1)
You might also enjoy
Going Gray, Looking Great!: The Modern Woman’s Guide to Unfading Glory
The Diva Doctrine: 16 Universal Principles Every Woman Needs to Know
For more Silver & Grace approved books check out Eliza’s Recommendations.
Darn Near 50: Time to turn off your period?
Let’s go back in time to a thirteen year old me. Short, skinny, no real sign of any boobs, and no period.
Drama! Tragedy! No period! All my friends have their period. My younger sister has her period. But not me. How come everyone else has crossed into womanhood? What is wrong with me?
Obviously, I finally did get my period, although I was likely closer to fourteen. I was thrilled. My womanhood was confirmed.
Okay, zoom forward to darn near 50. Womanhood-shmonanhood, turn off the freakin’ tap already!
Honestly, I have had enough, but here I am on an exact twenty-eight day cycle. Oh! Except when I am on vacation. Then it doesn’t matter if I ended my period two weeks ago, or two days ago, my period will show up. It is my faithful travel companion.
Now, I know that I should be grateful I am still regular. When I am not, things will start to happen to me, like hot flashes, wild mood swings, loss of libido. I get that. But, those are all potential events; whereas, my period is reality.
I am tired of the muss. In fact, it seems to be getting mussier, because my periods are really heavy.
I am tired of the inconvenience. I use environmentally friendly cloth sanitary pads, but that involves a lot of laundry.
I am tired of sticking things up there … um, most things. *grin*
I am tired of the pain. Some days I literally crawl to the bathroom to have a hot bath.
I am tired of the bloat. For a solid week each month I wail “I have NOTHING to wear!”
I also know that I should be very grateful that my womb is healthy. I have friends and acquaintances who have undergone hysterectomies and were thrust violently into menopause. In fact, I am grateful that my womb is healthy. And very thankful that it created and nurtured three beautiful babies.
I guess I feel it has done its job. Admirably in fact.
I believe it is time for my period to take a well deserved retirement.
Be part of my book Darn Near 50!
Your valuable feedback will be used indirectly in the content of the book, or directly as quotes. Before the book is published, I will contact contributors to verify if they want to be anonymous, or if their real names can be used.
Ready?
- Are you still regular, skipping periods, or completely done?
- If you are still getting your periods, what are your thoughts? Similar to mine or still okay with your monthly visitor?
- If you no longer get your periods, what are your thoughts now? Glad to see them gone? Wishing they were back, because of your menopausal symptoms?
You can provide your thoughts
- right here in the comment section
- email me directly at eliza@silverandgrace.com
- by using this convenient form
I Get Ignited! – Timing is Everything For Healthy Habits
I never learn. Every year in March, I pull out my Vibramrunners, and commit to running. In past years, I got really excited and signed myself up for the Ottawa Race Weekend half-marathon in May. This year, I at least learned enough not to that.
However, I did commit myself to doing a 12 week virtual running coaching program with Jeanne Andrus from Ignite Running Adventures for Women.
I got as far as Week One. That was three weeks ago.
Not because I wasn’t enjoying Jeanne’s coaching! It is fun, practical, and motivating. Nope, it’s because I live in Canada, and it turns out I am not a very good Canadian.
As in, I totally hate the cold. Actually, more and more so as I get older. I totally get why my grand-parents were Snow Birds, and why my in-laws are becoming Snow Birds. The cold sucks.
Here is what I need to get through my thick skull:
- The beginning of March will provide teaser warm weather
- This truly is a teaser
- It will snow throughout March and probably into April
- Arctic winds will chill the bones
- I despise running in bone-chilling snowy weather
- I will not run in bone-chilling snowy weather
- I will become disappointed in myself that I started something and then quit
- I should never start running in March. PERIOD. END.OF.DISCUSSION.
So, I owned up to Jeanne that I am a big weather wussy and will start her program from scratch again around mid-April.
When we decide to create any healthy habit, it is critical to bear in mind that timing truly is everything.
- deciding to lose weight two weeks before the Christmas season is not the right timing
- quitting smoking in the middle of an overly stressful work project is not the right timing
- starting a running program in extreme weather conditions is not the right timing
You set yourself up for failure and run the risk of convincing yourself that you not capable of making those healthy changes to your life.
Fortunately, Jeanne is an awesome running coach and she said “No problem. Let me know when you are up and running again … literally.” As a matter of fact, she lives in warmer climes and advises her in person clients not to start in the middle of the summer. It is simply too hot, and they will set themselves up for failure.
Mid-April I am igniting a fire under my butt and I will be back to running. And next spring, I just might remember to hold off on resuming my running until Canadian weather is a little more bearable.
Products for Women By Women
The following books have the Silver & Grace Seal of Approval as excellent resources for helping form healthy habits. They are available through Amazon.
The Hardline Self Help Handbook: What Are You Willing to Do to Get What You Really Want?
The Velveteen Principles for Women: How to Shatter the Myth of Perfection and Embrace All That You Really Are
Work with Passion in Midlife and Beyond: Reach Your Full Potential and Make the Money You Need
Book Review: The Fatigue Prescription
I really enjoyed reading Dr. Linda Hawes Clever’s book The Fatigue Prescription. It was a relatively quick read, the only hold up being the exercises and reflection time you need to successfully complete this book.
I found the exercises were interesting, thought provoking, and relevant to the topic on how to recover from fatigue in your life. I enjoyed how you are encouraged to make notes in the margins and highlight key points.
My only dislikes were that half the book is a build up to the 4 step ‘cure’ to fight off your fatigue, even though every few pages there are exercises right from the beginning of the book. So, it was a bit frustrating reading and doing all the exercises waiting for the big unveiling of the prescription to get on the road to recovery.
I don’t like the ‘dangle the carrot’ method especially in self help books, as it becomes tedious and frustrating. While the authour did a good job at keeping the reader thinking and engaged with her exercises, this is a valid point to make because many authurs will lose a reader using such tactics with time being such a core issue amongst people looking for self improvement.
All that said, I have recommended this book to a few people already, and can see myself reading The Fatigue Prescription numerous times in the future.
Priscilla Turvey is a member of the Silver & Grace community and an official Silver & Grace book reviewer. Do you love to read and share your thoughts on books with others, just like Priscilla? Get free books by registering to review books for Silver & Grace. Simply click here to register: Silver & Grace Book Reviewer
Products for Women by Women
The Fatigue Prescription has the Silver & Grace Seal of Approval as an excellent resource for women. It is available on Amazon.
The Fatigue Prescription: Four Steps to Renewing Your Energy, Health, and Life
You might also enjoy
Female Brain Gone Insane: An Emergency Guide For Women Who Feel Like They Are Falling Apart
The Hormone Survival Guide for Perimenopause: Balance Your Hormones Naturally
For more Silver & Grace approved books check out Eliza’s Recommendations.
Darn Near 50: Is food making you sad?
I live with a foodie. As a former chef, my husband loves food. Everything about food. Planning it, preparing it, serving it, eating it. Which makes it really awkward, because lately food makes me very sad. I mean sitting on the couch, complete brain fog, crying sad.
Not because I don’t like food. I do. Not because I eat too much of it. I don’t.
It appears that quite a number of foods now play havoc with my hormones and send me zooming into a depressive state.
Yummy foods!
Notice I didn’t say healthy foods, but definitely yummy. White baguette with artisan cheeses. Wine. Gourmet pizza. Homemade fresh from the oven cookies. Chocolates.
OM NOM NOM!
Followed very closely by WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!
Pretty much anything that messes with my blood sugar also messes with my emotional and mental state.
You think I would just stay away from these oh so yummy, but toxic treats. I do, but I start feeling all energized and top o’ the world, and I forget. You know that kind of forgetting you do after the pain of childbirth? You know it hurt, but it’s gone, and surely it won’t hurt that badly again. That kind of forgetting.
It starts with one slice of baguette. But, that just begs for another one. Then what the heck? What is baguette without wine? After all, this is a French household. Surely some chocolate will just round off the meal nicely.
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!
Yep, I just cannot do it and stay on an even emotional keel.
Ah well, I have had Darn Near 50 years of sugary goodness. Hello Greek yogurt.
Be part of my book Darn Near 50!
Your valuable feedback will be used indirectly in the content of the book, or directly as quotes. Before the book is published, I will contact contributors to verify if they want to be anonymous, or if their real names can be used.
Ready?
- Have you developed an intolerance to certain foods? If so, which ones?
- What symptoms do you experience when you indulge in these yummy but nasty treats?
- How successful are you at eliminating them from your diet?
- What foods keep you healthy and happy?
You can provide your thoughts
- right here in the comment section
- email me directly at eliza@silverandgrace.com
- by using this convenient form
