How to Naturally Increase Stamina as We Age

As we age, our bodies go through a natural aging process that often results in decreased energy. Fortunately, there are many natural ways to combat this.

Environmental and genetic factors both play a part in the processes that alter our cells, inducing a weakening of the muscles and a decrease in strength, energy and flexibility. This all affects activities that we once handled with ease that are now becoming more difficult or exhausting.

Natural Ways to Increase Your Stamina

To help you get back the energy and stamina of your youth, we’ve highlighted a few simple steps you can take in order to naturally increase your energy.

Exercise

It may seem counterintuitive at first, but working out regularly actually results in increased energy! Exercising results in your cells’ having more energy to use, and it increases the circulation of oxygen through your body. As a result of working out, the stress hormones norepinephrine and epinephrine are released, which, in small amounts, will give you more energy. Simply adding a short walk to your day is enough to gain increased energy, though the more you do, the better you’ll likely feel!

Stay Hydrated

If you notice you’re feeling a little less energetic than usual, it’s quite possible that you might be dehydrated. Making sure you’re taking in adequate amounts of water throughout the day will ensure you’re not feeling any undue lethargy or fatigue.

Try Caffeine in Moderation

If you aren’t currently a regular drinker of coffee or tea, consider picking up the habit to enjoy some added energy and alertness. Caffeine, in moderation, is a great natural way of boosting your vigor and sharpening your mind.

Eat More Frequently

If you’re currently sticking to the typical eating schedule of breakfast, lunch, and dinner, consider breaking up your meals into smaller, more frequent meals. By eating at more frequent intervals, feelings of decreased energy or fatigue may be avoided as you maintain more even blood sugar levels throughout the day.

Quit Smoking

If you’re a smoker, you should consider dropping the habit. Smoking has a whole host of negative side effects, with one being decreased sleep quality. If you’re not getting adequate sleep, you’re likely running on empty throughout the day. The nicotine found in tobacco is a stimulant, which can make it more difficult for you to fall asleep.

Try Changing Your Sleep Schedule

If you’ve been getting eight or more hours of sleep, but still wake up feeling tired, consider trying to sleep less. This may seem like a bad idea, but not everyone requires the commonly recommended eight hours of sleep. By shortening the duration of your sleep to say, six hours, you may find that you feel much more rested upon waking, which can result in improved energy levels throughout the day!

Take Control of Stress

Feeling stressed is not only unpleasant, but it oftentimes results in your feeling drained. If you are frequently stressed out, consider some relaxation techniques such as self-hypnosis, yoga, meditation or tai chi in order to get your stress under control. There are support groups available as well that can help those who are frequently stressed. Simply talking with a friend may be enough to quell feelings of stress. If none of the above provides relief, a psychologist may be an option, and he or she will likely have many advanced stress-reduction techniques to try with you.

Shorten Your To-Do List

As we age, our capacity for work decreases, which oftentimes results in fatigue. Feelings of being overworked can come about not just from our professional lives, but also as a result of social and family obligations. Try to cut down on your extraneous activities and focus your energy and attention on what really matters. By cutting down on unnecessary activities and tasks, you’ll likely find your energy is restored!

Conclusion

The aging process brings about many changes, from hormonal ones, such as menopause and andropause, to physical changes, such as weakening muscles. By making a few simple changes, you can get back the vigor you once had. There are many great natural ways of doing this, and by heeding some of these suggestions, you may be surprised to find that you actually feel better than ever!