After another long and drawn-out winter, it’s easy to feel a little sluggish. Work and school can zap the energy you have, leaving you all feeling drained when it’s finally family time! Your evenings and weekends can end with you all slumped on the sofa, instead of getting out and making memories together.
With spring just around the corner, it’s time to make some changes. Having more energy will bring a lot of benefits to your family, helping you all feel fresher, and happier. Take a look at these 7 energy-boosting tips that will help energise the whole family.
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1. Eat the right foods
The foods you eat will have a huge impact on your energy levels. Knowing the foods that can boost your energy, and which ones will drain it, can help you make some better decisions about what your family should and shouldn’t eat.
It’s always a good idea to start the day with breakfast. Take a look at some healthy breakfast inspiration the whole family can enjoy on TikTok or Pinterest.
Try a little more homecooking to help you prepare some healthier dishes with some energy-boosting ingredients. You can enjoy making meals together, and teach your kids some valuable cooking skills too.
2. Get everyone into a good sleep routine
If you’re dealing with a lack of energy, the first thing you need to look at is your sleep routine. Too many late nights, lie-ins and broken sleep can all deplete your energy, especially if it happens all the time.
Getting the whole family into a good sleep routine can help you all get the rest you need. If you have a baby in the family, you should consider wake times by age to help you work out the best times for your baby to sleep. For older children and adults in the household, you can start creating a bedtime routine that will help you wind down at night. Set a strict bedtime that you can all stick to, and build a routine that will get you in bed by that time. It may take a few weeks to adjust, but you’ll all feel better for it once things settle down.
3. Spend more time outdoors
They say that fresh air is good for you, and in terms of boosting your energy, it’s absolutely true! Spending time outdoors can get you moving and help you enjoy some fresh air, which is why an afternoon walk is ideal for blowing away the cobwebs and preventing those afternoon naps.
Spending time outdoors is great for kids too. Encourage them to play at their local park instead of spending their weekends and holidays indoors – it will give them the energy they need during the day, and leave them tired ready for a good sleep in the evening.
4. Be an active family
Exercise can tire you out, but it is a good way to maintain consistent energy levels. Making an effort to be active will give your body and mind a lift, and you’ll experience a load of other health benefits too. You don’t have to sign up to a marathon or all visit the gym together – there are a lot of different ways you can get fit as a family and have a little fun too. Find an activity you all enjoy and make some time to enjoy it together.
5. Reduce your screen time
Screen time can affect your energy levels more than you know. So if you’re all a little guilty of spending too much time on your phones or tablets, it could be time to cut down – especially before bed.
Too much screen time can also affect your interactions as a family, leading you all to develop some bad habits. Finding the balance between screen time and family time may take some getting used to if you’re all attached to your devices, but it will be worth it.
Once you start to reduce your screen time, you’ll realise how much more time you have for other things, and may even find your mood lifted alongside your energy levels.
6. Reduce stress by getting organised
Stress can have an impact on your energy levels, keeping you up at night and leaving you feeling exhausted. Often stress can come from a lack of preparation, so could getting organised help you get your energy back? Some of the best ways to get organised include using lists and shared calendars – something that can be extremely useful when it comes to keeping track of the kids’ schedules!
As your energy levels increase, you’ll be able to wake up in the morning and get more done. Many people find mornings the perfect time to be productive, taking care of things like cleaning and life admin before starting the rest of the day. You’ll be able to work through your to-do list and feel smug that you’ve got it done before the rest of the family wakes up.
7. Cut the sugar
Finally, another way to increase your energy levels is to cut back on sugar. While sugar may give you that initial ‘sugar rush,’ the comedown happens quickly, leaving you feeling more tired than you did before you tucked into a sweet treat! Cutting back on sugar can bring a lot of benefits for everyone in the family, including benefits for your teeth, weight and even your mood. Try cutting back on sugar to see how it impacts your energy overall.
Being constantly tired is not a nice feeling, and it can make it difficult to enjoy your downtime. Taking control of things by finding ways to increase your energy levels can make a big difference, leaving you feeling more alert and able to enjoy spending time doing the things you want to do for yourself and your family. Work on boosting your energy levels and bring more passion, more energy into your life.
