Vitality, Qi, & Life force can all be used to describe energy. But vitality is more than just energy, vitality fuels the mind, body, and spirit; it is a vibrancy that helps us to face the day.

 Vitality is a calm energy, a controlled energy, a constant confident hum, rather than an overexcitable buzz. When we have strong vitality, we have a greater zest for life. When we lack this vitality, it can make the small tasks feel like mountains.

 Even if we are lacking vitality, we can access small bursts of energy throughout the day. Maybe a little coffee will help this along, but without good vitality, this energy burst is often followed by a crash just a few hours later. Sometimes leaving us to feel worse than before.

 In Chinese medicine, Qi is seen as the essential life force that flows through all living things. Our everyday stressors can wear down our life force. We can start to feel exhausted physically and mentally; waking up tired and going to bed wired.

 To reconnect with our vitality and improve energy levels, here are some natural lifestyle hacks you could try out.

1. Get sunlight on your face early in the day

By soaking up some sunlight first thing in the morning, you can help to reset the body’s internal clock. Try stepping outside for 15-30 minutes after you wake up, and in time you will notice an improvement in alertness throughout the day.

2. Prioritise Sleep

Sleep is crucial for maintaining energy and vitality. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. To improve your sleep, create a bedtime routine that includes winding down at least an hour before bed. If sleep is an issue for you, check out our article on sleep here.

3.  Reduce Your Coffee

Wait. What? Yep, I said it. quit the caffeine! Or at least just drop down a little. Coffee can give you a quick boost of energy, but if you’re exhausted it can simply create nervous energy and negatively impact your adrenal function. If you’re stressed and drinking lots of coffee you could be making the problem worse!

Check out our article on stress management here.

4. Nourishment from food & supplements

 A balanced diet plays a big role in boosting energy and vitality.  The body needs its fuel from food, and it must be varied, healthy & in moderation.

 Certain Vitamins and minerals have critical roles in cellular energy production.

For example, one of the B Vitamins' roles in the body is to “help release the energy” from the food we eat via various metabolic pathways.  Ensure you include in your diet B vitamins-rich food like lentils, asparagus, spinach, salmon, chicken, and brown rice. B vitamins (B1-thiamine, B2-riboflavin, B3-nicotinamide, B5-Panthotenate, B12-cobalamin and the B related Vitamins: folate & inositol) as you can see in the example are in fruits, vegetables, meat, grains. Certain types would have higher amounts than others, thus the importance of varying your food intake.

Carbohydrates (preferably complex), lean proteins, and healthy fats (fish, nuts, and seeds) in the right amount are among the macronutrients that are also the main source of energy.

Always remember that vitamins and minerals are not the source of energy. They play the important role of helping to release energy from food among other healthy functions. Thus, the quality of food that goes into our mouths is a top priority.

Supplements are important to anyone with a poor or imbalanced diet and if health conditions prevent nutrients from being absorbed fully resulting in deficiency & loss of energy and vitality.

5. Try Herbal Medicine to Restore Vitality

Herbal medicine can be a powerful ally in boosting energy and vitality. Ginseng, specifically, has a wonderful ability to help improve energy levels without creating nervous tension. Often referred to as an adaptogen, ginseng helps your body adapt to stress and can support physical stamina and mental function.

Panax ginseng is a herbal medicine, with roots dating back 2000 years in Chinese medicine texts. Today it is still a reputed herbal medicine renowned for its ability to replenish Qi, combat fatigue, support the body’s natural ability to recover from infection by supporting immune system health, and reduce cognitive fatigue. In more recent years, Korean ginseng has been studied widely and, overall, found to be effective to relieve feeling of weakness or fatigue!

 Korean ginseng can be found in HIVITA Happy Energy Ginseng. This product has been formulated to help boost energy levels and support vitality, assist with recovery from illness, and maintain cognitive function.

 By implementing the above strategies, you are giving your body the best chance at recovering from fatigue and reinvigorating that vital force.