Energy and Productivity

You know what I’m struggling with lately? Really noticeable low energy levels. I’ve been on a mission to tackle this. Starting with a visit to my family doctor, to ensure all of my blood levels were normal. My iron is a bit low, so I’ve started on daily iron pills to help improve that. But that can take up to three months to see any effects. So I was wondering what else can I do? I’m going to be tested for low b12 levels. I think this could be a culprit because I really don’t eat a lot of meat or animal product, of which is the major source of b12 in human diets. So that could also be a contributing factor.

But I wanted to know what else I could do to optimize my energy levels on a daily basis, especially when I needed them to be heightened, specifically in classes and at work.

So I went on an internet mission to see what I could do to, to a) improve my energy levels but also b) increase my productivity.

Here is what I’m testing out:

1. Increase in super foods throughout the day
   –>Adding chia to my breakfast either in overnight oats, smoothies, or scrambled eggs
   –>Mid morning snacks filled with healthy fats and protein by way of home made muffins inspired by Oh She Glow’s Pumpkin Muffins, and adding some almonds to the mix.
2. Planning out lunches and dinners for the week. I tried to crowd source some easy, grab and go lunch ideas, and Sunny Lenarduzzi suggested a quinoa salad. I’ll be putting that together early this week, and alternating that with my homemade barley and veg soup.
3. Dinner I’m trying to limit the amount of meat I consume. So ranging with options of homemade pizza, with dough from Bowen Island Pizza Co (Friday night’s treat), veggie stir fry, and turkey tacos among a few others. I hope this also helps me save energy from having to worry about “What’s for dinner”.
4.  A morning routine-I came across this video from Chase Jarvis care of Sunny Lenarduzzi on Twitter, who talks about how is prioritizes his times into 90 minute chunks. He also links to his top 6 morning routines that keep him at his best. Take a look at that video and let me know what you think. What I’m taking away from them are:
   –>WALKING more. I scheduled in a weekly walk for my boyfriend and I this past week, and we walked for 40 minutes! I was impressed with us, and thought we were really cute, so I want to continue this. I also want to try to add it more into my day-to-day
   –>WATER-I need to get into the habit of carrying my water bottle around more. I want to constantly be sipping on water.

I’m still on the hunt for a few more productivity resources that I can use to improve my days. These are the ones that I will be starting with to focus my energy levels.

Do you have any resources you recommend or that you tune to? Please leave a comment and let me know!