Maintaining a High Energy Level

Small children are filled with energy at all times. They run around, playing, stomping and yelling. A child eats, sleeps and is active a great deal because he has a much higher metabolic rate. Children are growing and active at the same time. An adult needs no such metabolic rate because he is not growing anymore therefore what food an adult consumes is only necessary for homeostasis and whatever activities he might perform. Any excess calories are stored as fat. Of course some adults require more energy for homeostasis than others. Such people are said to have a higher metabolism and will have an easier time maintaining their weight. Also the size of a person, particularly their muscle content, determines how much energy they require.

The easiest way to maintain your energy level is have a balanced diet and active, healthy lifestyle. A balanced diet is one rich in carbohydrates and protein. Carbohydrates are the simplest form of energy and can be obtained from eating bread, pasta and vegetables. Carbohydrates provide the quickest form of energy. Fruit and candy provide quick energy but they do not last long. Pasta and bread are great ways for longer energy, but provide more calories that need to be burned off. Athletes often "carb load" the night before an athletic competition in order to have energy the next day. It is best to consume carbohydrates early in the day, however, because unused calories are converted to fat overnight while you sleep. Protein is necessary for growth and repair, especially if you lift weights or perform any other strenuous activity. At all times you should consume a great deal of water, which is crucial in all metabolic functions and to flush the body of wastes and free radicals that can damage tissue.

Two more important aspects of maintaining your energy level are sleep and exercise. Exercise has several key functions. Exercise is necessary to maintain a high metabolism since muscle requires more energy for its maintenance than fat. Exercise also increases the serotonin levels in your brain. Serotonin is crucial in maintaining a feeling of well being. Depleted serotonin levels are a key symptom of lethargy and depression. Of course with any vigorously athletic lifestyle, sleep is also crucial. Sleep is the body's time for repair of damaged tissues. When you lift weights, for example, you actually create micro-tears in the muscle that are repaired to create stronger muscles while you sleep. Sleep is also necessary for basic metabolism. Without between seven and eight hours of sleep per night it is difficult to maintain energy and concentration throughout the day.

There are other considerations and ways to enhance these basic tenets. Avoid introducing too many toxins into the body that damage tissues and inhibit healthy metabolism. Smoking is bad for the lungs and forces the heart to work harder to carry the oxygen necessary for the body's needs. Drinking excessively or using drugs also affects body chemistry and forces the body to neutralize and excrete toxins, which wastes energy that could be used elsewhere. Stress also has detrimental effects on the body. Lowering your stress level through meditation and stress relieving activities like yoga or Pilates can neutralize these ill effects.

Energy drinks like Red Bull may provide you with a quick energy boost, but the effects are not long lasting. Your best bet is to retain a healthy lifestyle to keep your energy level high.