Energy and your health

How's Your Energy?

What a difference it makes in your everyday life to have plenty of pep! Your energy level can serve as an indicator of your current health condition, so it’s valuable to know what your body may be telling you.

Everyone has experienced a decrease of energy during an illness. When illness or injuries occur, the body contributes to healing by directing available energy in an effort to return to a state of health. You know when your body has done its job, because you feel your energy level return. But what about when you don’t seem to have the same spark you once did?

Many things can affect your energy level. For instance, digestion requires a lot of energy. When you eat certain foods or consume a large meal, it can make you feel tired. Those who get little physical exercise are more likely to have lower energy levels as well.

Below are excerpts from the book Tired of Being Tired, by Dr. Michael A. Schmidt, addressing some of the more pertinent points regarding energy and health.

“We are not healthy one minute and sick the next ... The progression from optimal health to disease is a gradual descent that passes through phases. The descent can take many years and involve many stressors. Likewise, the road back to optimum health is a continuum that takes time.