February 18, 2025

What is human energy and how can you get more of it?

More energy please

There is definitely no shortage of products, programs and advice on how to get and have more energy. From drinks and supplements, to snacks and special diets, there seems to be a never-ending quest for finding ways to give your energy levels a boost. And it’s certainly nothing new. When the energizing effects of coffee were discovered in the plant’s native Ethiopia, nearly 2,000 years ago, it quickly expanded into part of daily life in the Middle East and Europe in the 15th and 16th centuries. The use of betel nut (chewing), which produces strong stimulant effects, goes back even further, as far as 5,000 years ago in Asia and India. Coffee and supplements aside, the worldwide market for energy drinks alone is now around $75 billion. So, why are we looking for more energy?

What is human energy?

The word “energy” can refer to various forms of power that are created from some type of physical or chemical process, i.e. nuclear energy, wind energy, solar energy, gravitational energy, and so on. Energy can also refer to the vitality that is needed for physical or mental activity – the ability to do work. This definition goes back to how the concept of human energy was viewed by the ancient Greeks. In 1840 it was discovered that the nervous system is powered by electricity. With modern science, we now know that biological energy, that which drives our physical energy, comes from the process of trillions of mitochondria in every cell in our body converting glucose and oxygen into the compound adenosine triphosphate (ATP) which fuels our cells, turning chemical energy into electrical energy.

The fact is, a majority of people feel like they could use more energy. Persistent fatigue or lack of energy affects as many as 45% of people in the United States, and one survey found that roughly 15% of people said that a lack of energy kept them from doing things that were necessary. This illustrates two types of energy lack, or energy drain.

Complete energy drain is all-out exhaustion, where you just do not have the energy to do anything, no matter how appealing or necessary. The feeling of fatigue can be almost as if you were sick. There is also a lower-level type of energy drain. This is more generalized in that, while you may still be functioning, there is an increasing lack of interest in activities you normally like, and you become less and less active. It can also make it harder to concentrate and lead to impatience and frustration, even with simple challenges. This is the majority of people who look for things to give them an energy boost throughout their day.

What causes low energy?

Because we know that physical energy – the amount of vigor or stamina you have to engage in a particular activity – is driven by chemical/electrical processes in your body and nervous system, it is obvious that anything that disrupts those systems is going to disrupt your energy as well. Things that commonly disrupt and drain your energy include:

Stress. Stress can be caused by any number of things involving work, family, relationships, financial situations, etc. It can also be a by-product of anxiety, which can be rooted in any one of those things.
Negative emotions. These are often experienced as reactions to frustration, resentment or anger. They can also come from deep sadness due to loss or disappointments.The reality is, both stress and negative emotions can consume enormous amounts of energy, and ways to prevent or resolve them are important in preserving your physical and mental health as well as your energy.

Overwork. Job, family and social or personal obligations cause many people to overextend themselves to the point that is beyond their personal energy capacity. This can also contribute to stress and negative emotions. The key is to set priorities, and even boundaries, if necessary, to be able to have the energy to do the best for yourself and the other commitments in your life

Sedentary habits. This seems unavoidable to many people, as many types of work simply don’t require a lot of physical activity. And it may seem that by being inactive for much of the day, there would be a burst of pent-up energy ready to go. However, it is pretty well known by now, that is not the case. It actually becomes a self-feeding cycle – lack of activity, reduces your energy, which leads to less activity, less energy, etc. This is combined with the fact that many sedentary work situations involve using mental energy, which can also be draining.

Substances. Namely, these include nicotine and alcohol. While you may get an immediate, momentary pick-me-up from smoking or drinking, overall they have a negative impact on your energy, not to mention the negative effects on your overall health.

Poor diet. There is an obvious and common sense connection between your diet and your energy level – if you’re not getting the right amounts and kinds of nutrition, and taking in the wrong kinds of foods in your diet, your energy is not going to be at its best.

Ways to get more energy

Most things related to health start from the basis of what can be seen as the “four pillars” of a healthy life. From weight issues, to heart health, to your appearance, to sexual health, and overall general health, the things that are always at the foundation are: Sleep, Activity, Water and Diet.

Sleep

The effect sleep has – both quantity and quality – on your energy, cannot be overstated. General advice is that you need 6 to 8 hours of quality sleep however, it is a highly individualized component of your health. Everyone needs to simply do what works best for them, adjusting to what their body and energy level tells them. Riize Sleep is convenient, fast-acting, mild supplement that can aid in restful sleep.

Activity

As already stated, one of the things that contributes to lack of energy is lack of activity. Exercise requires your cells to burn more energy and circulates oxygen, actually increasing your energy in the process. While it may seem as if moving about when you feel exhausted is the quickest route to feeling more exhausted, the opposite is true. And exercising can lead to higher brain dopamine levels, which helps elevate mood.

Water

The only nutrient that has been shown to enhance performance for all but the most demanding endurance activities is not some exotic sports drink – it’s water. A feeling of fatigue is one of the first signs that your body is not properly hydrated, and thirst can also be mistaken for fatigue.

These, along with a variety of other elements, minerals and trace minerals can be found in foods that are known to help with sleep, and includes some complex carbohydrates as well as proteins. Some of the more popular ones are:

While getting the right amount of sleep, exercise and water are no less important, diet is a more involved part of your energy level.

Diet

To get the most energy from your diet, it should consist mostly of whole, unprocessed foods. They provide the most usable forms of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Key ingredients of a good energy diet include:

– Whole grains – Eating more whole grains and less sugar (refined), helps keep blood sugar balances for a more steady, consistent release of energy.

– Magnesium – This mineral plays a part in over 300 biochemical reactions, including converting glucose into energy. Natural sources include nuts like almonds and cashews, along with whole grains and fish.

– Vitamin D – Vitamin D supports muscle function and contributes to increased energy by supporting the function of mitochondria within the cells. It is found naturally in dairy products and also often taken in supplement form. Most importantly, don’t forget the sunshine, because sun exposure on the skin helps the body convert cholesterol into Vitamin D.

– Vitamin B12 – B vitamins are important, necessary parts of a well-rounded healthy diet. As part of that group, B12 helps build the adenosine triphosphate compound that fuels the cells by converting chemical energy into electrical energy. In addition to converting your food into energy, it also supports healthy eyes, skin, bones and mental focus. B12 is found primarily in animal products like eggs, cheese, salmon, chicken and beef.

– Caffeine – The truth is that, while too much caffeine can be bad for your sleep health, it can help increase your energy, as it has been known to do for centuries. If you are going to get it in a coffee-type drink, consider a latte, which provides both the caffeine and some protein from the milk. However, there are dozens of other ways to get it, as it is in many energy drink products and supplements. To get the most from the energizing and improved concentration effects of caffeine, it is important to know your personal sensitivity to it and use it appropriately.

When you need to supplement your energy

Making the four pillars of health a part of your lifestyle is important. However, there may be times or situations when you could use something to supplement your energy level. Riize Energy oral dissolving strips are a convenient, effective way to do that. Each Riize Energy strip provides a compound of vitamin B12, caffeine, L-theanine, and electrolytes, on an oral dissolving strip that give almost immediate bioavailability of the energy-producing ingredients.

L-theanine is a naturally occurring amino acid found in tea. Studies have shown that, when combined with caffeine, it helps increase energy as well as cognitive performance – the participants reporting feeling less tired and having increased alertness. And electrolytes help the body produce and use energy by regulating chemical reactions of the balance of fluid in your cells.