WELL-KNOWN ENERGY SAPPERS

The more energy you have the happier you are. It always feels good when you have all the energy needed for the day. It is a good idea to know the well-known energy sappers so that we will be aware and avoid such. These are the sappers of energy.

SLEEP DEPRIVATION- most people need about 8 1/2 hours a night, say researchers. Getting two or more hours less several nights in a row tires you and impairs decision making and memory.

OVEREATING- a full stomach diverts blood from your muscles, fatiguing you. Eating small meals every day three to four hours helps steady your energy by stabilizing your blood sugar, and it curbs overeating.

CAFFEINE EXCESS – consuming more than 300 mg of caffeine daily (or about 15 ounces of coffee) can exhaust your adrenal glands, which will make you feel logy. Caffeine can also repress REM sleep (a deep, restorative stage of sleep), so avoid it four to six hours before bed.

YOU OVERDO ALCOHOL – metabolizing alcohol lowers your levels of energizing B vitamins. Alcohol also represses REM sleep. Experts recommend consuming no more than one drink daily for women and two drinks for men, and avoiding alcohol three to five hours before bed.