Energy Boosters That Increase Productivity and Profits

By Dr. Leslie Van Romer and Dr. Narinder Duggal

It takes a lot of energy to keep going during the day, with a high level of focus and effectiveness. From early morning breakfast meetings at the office to after-work socials with co-workers, most days are spent running on an endless treadmill. And don’t forget about the deadlines and projects due in between; oh yes, and your family waiting at home.

Slowing down and taking a nap mid-day may not be an option for you. How can you keep up the tireless pace necessary to climb the corporate ladder or build your own business? How can you increase your own productivity and the business’s profit?

With one magic ingredient: energy. It takes energy to radiate and smile from the inside out and to bounce instead of step. It takes energy to work hard with an uplifting attitude and be an example for the rest of the team players. It takes energy to focus and to stay on purpose for the long-haul with determination and courage. It takes energy to organize and lead effectively, whether it be a multi-billion dollar empire or a small dream-come-true business, a classroom of twenty-five kids, or a household.

So what fuels energy? Transition these eight energizers into your life every day and experience the ultimate high:

Fill-up on whole, unrefined fruits and vegetables: Even in the workplace, you can say “no” to the doughnuts, goodies, and ready-made ham and cheese on brown-colored white bread. Regardless of the hype, unrefined carbohydrates (no, not protein or fat) found in whole fruits and vegetables are your most efficient sources of energy.

Raw fruits and vegetables are even better. If your vending machine or cafeteria sells these, then great! If not, simply bring them from home. Want no-fuss, fast food? You can’t get faster than fresh fruit - wash, open mouth, bite and chew.  A green-leafy vegetable salad or cut-up veggies can quickly be prepared the night before, ready to zip out the door in the morning. Keep in mind that today’s energy comes from the whole, unrefined plant foods that you ate yesterday.

Drink homemade fruit and vegetable juices: The best nutrition comes from the juice in fruits and vegetables, not the fiber. Yes, we need fiber and get it from all our other whole fruits and vegetables. However, juice separated from the pulp is a quick shot of energy that fuels your system within fifteen minutes. Normally, it takes 24 hours for your body to process fruits and vegetables into usable energy.

Juice fruits of your choice and vegetables like carrots, celery and apples at home and bring them to work. Just remember that “juicing” is not the same as “blending” – a juicer is needed to separate the juice from the pulp. Or do something extraordinarily energizing for yourself and your co-workers: bring a juicer to the office. Instead of filling that cup up with coffee, how about filling it up with the best pick-me-up there is – fresh juice.

Exercise aerobically (pumping the heart and lungs) a minimum of 60 minutes a day: Exercise forces oxygen, a primary source of energy, into all the cells. Moderate walking is an excellent energizer, and with a little forethought, it can be incorporated into your day.  You can do it at the gym before work, after work outside or even during your workday.

It goes without saying, park farther away from the office and use the stairs whenever possible, instead of the elevator. Bring a pedometer to work and instead of calling or emailing co-workers or supervisors, deliver the paperwork to their desks or talk to them in person.  Walk during your lunch break—your boss will thank you and, if you’re the boss, your team will thank you.  Or if you live close to the office, consider biking to work if weather permits.

Sleep from 7 to 8.5 hours a night.: The importance of sleep cannot be overstated. Uninterrupted sleep is necessary for the body to heal, restore, and re-energize. Minor shifts to your habits and lifestyle will help you get a full night’s sleep. Give yourself two hours from the time you last ate to the time you go to bed. Avoid exercising right before you sleep and make sure that your sleep environment is quiet and peaceful.  And of course, stimulants, such as coffee, caffeinated teas and soft drinks are not conducive to a good night’s sleep.

Avoid or eliminate processed and refined foods: White sugar and white flour products are some of the foods that deplete energy. They are commonly found in 99% of all breads, bagels, baked goodies, pastries, desserts, candy, condiments, snack foods, and packaged and even canned foods.  Read the labels to find out exactly what you are eating.

Avoid foods with added oils, fat, and cholesterol: Dietary fat and cholesterol from animal products and processed oils (yes, even olive oil) clog blood vessels, making the heart beat harder, zapping energy. Blood flow gets sluggish immediately after eating a meal loaded with fat and cholesterol. You can tell that by yourself. How do you feel after you’ve eaten a big meal centered on meat and dairy products? In a word, tired.

Eliminate artificial depressants and stimulants: Alcohol, whether one glass of wine or several cocktails, is a well-known depressant. Depressants do just that—depress energy.

Coffee is a drug-like stimulant. It offers a quick pick-me-up, but is followed by the inevitable “drop-me-down.” With regular use, coffee exhausts the adrenal glands, which are critical for sustained energy. Coffee also makes the bladder, kidneys, liver and other organs work harder, draining energy. Again, a true, healthy energy booster is fresh juice made from fruits and vegetables.

Breathe fresh air: Don’t smoke. It goes without saying: smoking robs your body of oxygen. Less oxygen equals less energy. No energy equals no life. Plus, smoking commonly causes more absenteeism due to more frequent and longer illnesses. The result: compromised productivity. Not only that, smoking typically means more interruptions at work from taking smoking breaks or more distractions wondering when you’ll be able to get that next puff.

Do you have to incorporate all eight energy boosters into your life? Of course not. You don’t “have” to do anything. You “get” to make your own choices, and you “get” to experience the consequences of those choices.

So which will it be? Compromised energy, compromised work, and compromised life? Or super energy, super productivity, super profits, and super success? The decision is yours and this could be one of the most important decisions of your life—for life.

Read other articles and learn more about Dr. Leslie Van Romer and Narinder Duggal, M.D.

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