More inspiring stories
Skincare = self-care
Your daily routine needn’t be chore-like or complicated. It can instead be a moving meditation, a moment of restoration, a sensory joy.
Chickpeas not chicken
Plant-based nutrition expert Hollie Waters APD shares five reasons to leave poultry off your plate.
The cycle of hormones
If you haven’t quite got your cycle phases figured out, you’re not alone. But it’s time to tune in to your body’s rhythms - so that you...
Gather your crew
When it’s time to eat out with your people, you’re going to want to please them all. Here are our top picks for plant-based venues that will...
Meet Nourish Vegan Awards 2022 panellist Lucy Stegley
“There’s never been a better time to embrace vegan living.” Meet Lucy Stegley, plant-based powerhouse and returning panellist for the 2022...
Top tips for a planet-friendly picnic
There’s nothing like whiling away an afternoon in a scenic spot with delicious food to share. Embrace summer in eco-conscious style with our...
Plant-based recipe inspiration
Sesame basil noodles with tempeh
Aromatic and flavourful is what comes to mind with this refreshing noodle dish from Sports Nutritionist and Vegan Easy ambassador, Caitlin Adler.
Shish kebab wraps with seitan medallions
These easy seitan kebabs are the perfect crowd pleaser at any summer barbecue feast. The active steps take less than an hour, but be sure to...
Soft smokey tempeh tacos
Fresh, colourful, and satisfying, these smokey tacos with a kick of spice are the perfect way to enjoy tempeh during mango season.
Roasted cauliflower and almond chowder
Our friends at Sanitarium share this hearty and warming winter soup, fragrantly spiced and packed with the goodness of extra vegetables, toasted...
Pumpkin chai doughnuts
There’s nothing quite like a freshly-baked homemade doughnut, and these delicate chai-spiced delights made with spelt flour and pumpkin puree...
Potato top creamy veg pies
Simple homemade wholemeal pastry encases the delicious savoury filling in these comforting, nourishing vegan pies. If you're yet to experiment...
Gluten-free brownies
Nobody should miss out on to-die-for chocolate brownies, and Sara Kidd’s vegan and GF recipe guarantees no-one has to!
More inspiration from our mindful collective
Natural sleep oils
Spraying sheets and pillows with calming scents can be a wonderful aid to slumber
To wander with no purpose
The next time you go for a walk, discover the wonder of the everyday world around you
Let it glow
A skincare routine can be a way to nourish yourself inside and out
Seeking the silver lining
When the clouds converge, practise gratitude for the smallest of glimmers, and learn to dance in the rain.
10 ways to naturally enhance your energy
In our modern-day world, it’s all too common to hear people talking about a lack of energy. Here are some holistic ways to get your body back on track.
We live in a fast-paced, stressful world, so it’s not surprising that many of us are low in energy. But when we’re tired for a long period of time, the damage goes further than just making us feel sleepy or cranky. Thankfully, there are a host of simple, effective dietary and lifestyle tips to get our bodies back on track.
10 WAYS TO NATURALLY ENHANCE YOUR ENERGY
- Take care of your digestion: You probably already know that much of your health comes down to digestion. When your digestion is poor, it has a domino effect on the rest of your body. Your digestive system takes the food you have eaten and metabolises it to give you energy. The small intestine gets to work funnelling those nutrients into the bloodstream so your body can use them as fuel. You know how you feel human again after eating a meal when you’re starving? That’s the principle at work. The problem is many of us aren’t digesting our food well enough for our bodies to extract those nutrients for energy.
- Limit your intake of processed foods: Processed foods and refined carbs have become staples in our modern-day diets. They’re making our digestive systems sluggish and leaving us with that ‘heavy’ feeling in our stomachs. Refined foods, sugar and alcohol all do their best to eat away at the good bacteria in the gut, leaving us with an imbalance. And as we know, our gut bacteria has a huge impact on energy. In order to aid your gut health and enhance your energy, it’s essential to limit your intake of processed, packaged foods.
- Maintain a healthy gut: Eat foods that produce good bacteria, keeping the gut happy and healthy. I recommend adding lots of greens to your diet, ensuring you get enough fibre, and popping a probiotic every day (with the guidance of a healthcare practitioner). Doing this will give your gut a hit of good bacteria, and help to bring it back into balance.
- Take care of your adrenals: There are some simple habits you can adopt to nourish your adrenal glands and keep them functioning properly. Firstly, limit your caffeine intake to one per day – preferably before 10am and never after 3pm. Commit to regular breathing practices. Get eight hours of sleep and try to be in bed by 10pm. Reduce or cut your sugar intake. Ask your nutritionist or naturopath to prescribe some delicious adrenal tonics – they do wonders!
- Nourish the thyroid: When your thyroid function slows down, you’ll feel deeply tired – as if someone has turned off the light switch. If you’re dealing with low energy and suspect your thyroid may be to blame, ask your doctor to test your thyroid levels and especially your T3 levels.
- Exercise smarter, not harder: Tailoring your exercise habits to suit your lifestyle is important. My advice is to exercise for energy, not until exhaustion. In my opinion, less is more. As always, you need to tune into your body to find out what works for you. If high-intensity interval training energises you, go for that! If you finish yoga feeling on top of the world, do a few classes a week. Listen to your body and give it what it needs. You’ll have fewer stress hormones pumping through your body and more energy.
- Observe your emotions: Your emotions may also play a part in your energy. If you’re feeling fatigued, reflect on who you’re surrounding yourself with. To be healthy and happy, it’s really important to spend time with people who lift you higher, not drain the living daylights out of you.
- Eat a wholesome, balanced diet: Up your intake on nourishing whole foods such as organic plant-based protein, fibre, healthy fats and complex carbohydrates.
- Maintain a healthy liver: Your liver functioning is vital to maintaining stable blood-sugar levels, which has a direct impact on our energy levels. It’s also essential to metabolise carbs, fats and proteins, store vitamins and minerals, regulate hormones and eliminate toxins. When the liver is clogged up thanks to things like alcohol, caffeine, sugar, pollution or medications, it can’t do its job properly. And that toxic build-up can make you feel awful. Fatigue is a common symptom of an overworked liver. For high energy levels, your liver needs to be working optimally.
- Get enough shut-eye: Prioritise quality sleep for better energy levels. We all know how refreshed we feel after a good night’s sleep, and that should be the norm.
More inspiring stories
Health benefits of bok choy
Once you find out about bok choy nutrition, you will want to add it to your regular shopping list! Here are seven fantastic features.
Getting started with a wholefoods approach
Wholefoods may just save your life, and at the very least, they will deliver a host of health benefits. Here’s what you need to know to get...
Led by the heart
Despite witnessing some of the worst cruelty inflicted on animals, Lyn White has an unshakeable belief in the power of human kindness and...
Meet Nourish Vegan Awards 2022 panellist Rachael Morris
Rachael is our editor extraordinaire at Nourish magazine. In this role, she inspires people to make choices that align with their values...
Relationship humble pie
Do you just want to win the fight? Or are you ready to create the authentic, loving relationship you’ve always wanted?
Four reasons to take the kindness pledge today!
Each year, the first week of October marks Be Kind to Animals Week, an uplifting campaign that invites us all to sign up for a kinder...
Beauty through the ages
Yes, you can have healthy, radiant skin at every age. And no! This does not mean we subscribe to unrealistic beauty ideals.
Plant-based recipe inspiration
Quinoa banana pancakes
Packed with protein and iron, quinoa flour is also naturally gluten-free, and works beautifully in baking. These fluffy wholefood vegan pancakes...
Vegan burger with the lot
Burgs are life! We love all the classics, and they are tastier and better for you when filled with plants. This Vegan burger with the lot is sure...
Dr Will Bulsiewicz's paella
In this recipe, the musky, piney flavour of saffron is complemented by earthy, smoky paprika and garlicky sweetness. It’s a taste of heaven.
Tofu Buddha bowl with peanut sauce
You are going to love this quick and easy veggie and tofu Buddha bowl with its utterly addictive peanut sauce!
The Big Apple 43
Apple and cinnamon combine beautifully with the creaminess of Licor 43’s tigernut-based horchata in this sophisticated sunset-hour sip.
Amaranth tabbouleh
Fresh, versatile, and nutritious, this simple tabbouleh by Claire Power is sure to become a regular in your repertoire. Traditionally made with...
Quinoa Buddha bowl with tahini dressing
Simple but delicious, this quinoa Buddha bowl with lemon and tahini dressing is packed full of vibrant and nutritious ingredients.
More inspiration from our mindful collective
Natural sleep oils
Spraying sheets and pillows with calming scents can be a wonderful aid to slumber
To wander with no purpose
The next time you go for a walk, discover the wonder of the everyday world around you
Let it glow
A skincare routine can be a way to nourish yourself inside and out
Seeking the silver lining
When the clouds converge, practise gratitude for the smallest of glimmers, and learn to dance in the rain.