In today’s world, we are constantly on the go, a steady state “busy-ness” is the norm, and we’re always running from one responsibility to the next - literally! So, it’s no wonder that physical fatigue is such a common complaint among singers. Physical fatigue can put our voice at risk of injury as we are more likely to try to exert more effort singing to compensate. The good news is that there are some really simple (and natural) ways to increase your energy so you can keep up with your busy life. 1. Get off the blood sugar roller coaster One of the simplest ways we can boost our energy is to stabilize blood sugar. When we don’t eat enough food throughout the day or when we eat foods that are higher in sugar, our energy levels bottom out. You can balance your blood sugar, and boost your energy naturally by:
2. You like to move it, move it! When you’re tired, the last thing you want to do is exercise. However, as hard as it can be to get your butt off the couch, it’s one of the best things you can do to fight fatigue. And, it turns out that you don’t even have to commit to a long workout! A California State University study concluded that even a brisk 10-minute walk can increase your energy for up to 2 hours. So when you feel that afternoon slump coming on, skip the coffee and lace up your running shoes instead. 3. Up your sleep game It may seem obvious that lack of sleep causes fatigue. However did you know that the quality of your sleep can have an even bigger impact on your daily energy? Even slight disturbances in our sleep can affect how rested we feel the next day. Here are a couple of tips for a more restful sleep:
4. Drink up! Before you reach for that coffee or energy drink to perk you up, consider switching to plain old water. While caffeine is usually the first choice for busting out of an energy slump, remember that it can interfere with sleep. And then there’s dehydration. Even mild dehydration impairs our concentration, decreases our mood and zaps our energy. Surprisingly, many singers, even though they know the importance of hydration, are not actually getting enough. How do you know if you may be dehydrated? Check the colour of your urine. If it’s the colour of straw, you’re good to go. If it’s a darker yellow colour, it’s time to drink up. If you’re still craving a caffeine hit, try the Energizing Matcha Smoothie recipe below. Matcha gives a longer lasting energy boost than coffee. It doesn’t hit you hard and then cause you to crash. Plus the recipe really is delicious! Recipe:
Energizing Vanilla Matcha Smoothie Ingredients 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk (or other non-dairy milk) 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder (your choice, no added sugar) 1-2 tsp matcha green tea powder (start with less if you’re new to matcha - it packs a kick!) ½ frozen banana Ice cubes (optional) 1 large handful of spinach or kale (optional, but recommended) How to prepare Combine all ingredients into a blender and blend until desired smoothness is achieved. Sip and enjoy! References Glycemic Index Foundation - https://www.gisymbol.com/about-glycemic-index/ California State University Long Beach, Public Affairs & Publications - https://web.csulb.edu/misc/inside/archives/vol_58_no_4/1.htm National Sleep Foundation - https://sleepfoundation.org/press-release/what-good-quality-sleep Time.com Health Land - http://healthland.time.com/2012/01/19/bad-mood-low-energy-there-might-be-a-simple-explanation/
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