Workplace Fitness: Solving sluggishness

Nothing is worse than feeling sluggish, especially at the beginning of a long day (or a long week) at work. Or maybe you usually feel okay in the mornings but suffer from a major slump every afternoon. Of course there are countless bad habits and health conditions that can cause fatigue (lack of sleep being the first one you should consider) but something that may not have occurred to you is your diet. Are you eating foods that make you tired? The University of Toronto Health Services says living on things like muffins, pizza, french fries, and donuts can add up to a lack of critical nutrients over time, resulting in lagging energy and overall feelings of fatigue.

So what should you eat for energy? Obviously any well-balanced nutritionally complete diet should do the trick, and regularly incorporating fish, grains, and fruits and vegetables that are high in vitamin C will help too. But for the inevitable and unexpected crashes, there are some foods that are better energy boosters than others. Depending on what time of day it is, breakfast cereals like cornflakes and shredded wheat can be a solid choice. Carrot sticks during the day, and anytime fruit like bananas and watermelons can give you the same quick fix as a candy bar but with added benefits like fiber and nutrients. And don't forget to drink enough water -- often times fatigue is just a symptom of dehydration and a simple glass of water will give you the pick-me-up you're looking for.



Other ideas for solving sluggishness are limiting your alcohol intake to 1 or 2 drinks per day at the most, and if you're having a serious sugar craving (but don't want the inevitable "crash" that comes with it) try having a piece of fruit or a single long-lasting butterscotch hard candy. Really try hard not to skip meals -- no food equals no energy!

Of course you should always consult your doctor if you have a concerning level of fatigue so he or she can help you work through any physical issues that may be contributing or causing the problem. But what you eat is how you fuel your body, so it only makes sense that good fuel = good energy. The better you feel at home and at your job the happier you'll be, not to mention if you have more energy it won't be nearly as hard to motivate yourself to go for a walk over your lunch hour or to hit the gym first thing after work.