I need an energy boost

[nycindie]

Does anyone have any recommendation for supplements, whether herbal or otherwise, to increase or maintain energy? I feel so tired much of the time. I have just begun working full-time this past week, after a month of working only three days a week, which followed well over two years of being unemployed and doing only occasional freelance work. It's a radical shift, especially because I work on my feet all day. While my body is getting used to it and seems to be becoming more fit (due to stairs I go up and down many times a workday), when I get home from work around 8pm, I often just crawl into bed and crash for several hours. I need something so I can have a life after work and not feel like toast on my days off. Any suggestions?

[GalaGirl]

When was your last check up? I turned up low in B12 and Vit D even tho I take a multivitamin. My doc said most people are low in D and don't realize it. So perhaps could consider that if you haven't been in to a check up in a while? When they run the blood panel ask if it is possible to check vitamin/mineral levels?

I was feeling run down and it made a world of difference.

HTH!
Galagirl

[nycindie]

Oh, I should've added that I do already take some vitamins, and D is an extra one I take. I think it is just that I am expending my energy more than I've been used to. And to be on my feet all day is a new challenge (working the largest muscles of the body consistently). When I was not working, I always took a nice nap in the afternoon, and now I can't do that anymore. We really should embrace siestas in North America - would make life so much more palatable!

[GalaGirl]

I agree on siesta!

Is it 3 PM afternoon slump? How's your thyroid? Do you get a second wind in the evening and then get tempted to stay up late?

Maybe check basics like footwear? Since you have to stand?

If it's the rigor of a new job, you will get fitter in time to take it. But if it goes on and on -- then could still get a check up to investigate further.

Sorry I'm not more help -- but I sympathize with feeling draggy!

GG

[BrigidsDaughter]

Wendigo went from being unemployed for a year and a half, staying up half the night on Skype with me or his artist friends and sleeping until 1pm to working full time in Sept. It took about a month before he wasn't passing out right after work. He still catches a cat nap in the car on the way home. He said he figured out that he was crashing after work because on their second break of the day he was eating pudding cups or something high in sugar, thus giving him a boost for the last 2 hours of work, but making him crash as soon as he stopped moving. Now he's eating healthier lunches and snacking on granola or protein bars for lasting energy.
Check your diet. Make sure you're getting enough calories for your new activity level. I recently found out I was allergic to wheat, corn, and peanuts. I've been feeling fatigued and the doctor said it would take a while for it to go away because switching to rice and potato starches means taking in a lot less calories. . . enough that I need to eat more often and snack between meals just to get the minimum calories for my age/weight/activity level.

[nycindie]

Hmm... BD I think you're onto something. My workday starts at 10:45 and I usually have breakfast before going, but not always. I only have one break at work, for lunch, and it's around 2pm. I am not into sugary snacks, but have been eating more bread than usual (carbs = sugar) for lunch. Ugh,when I dig myself out of my messy financial hole, I want to go back to Jenny Craig. I just can't afford it right now. I guess until then I will try to eat healthier and avoid sugars.