Many people lead a very hectic lifestyle today. As many as two-thirds of Americans report feeling not rested and energized when they wake. Additionally, forty-two percent reported feeling tired as early as noon. And without energy, it’s hard to be productive, stay focused, and get things done adequately. More importantly, it leaves little energy for loved ones after the workday has ended. Unfortunately, the cumulative effects of low energy can severely impact one’s mental health and increase the risk of depression.
For these reasons, many people are looking for ways to increase energy levels naturally. Whether it’s by improving one’s diet or adding short intervals of exercise throughout the day, small changes in your routine can greatly impact your energy level. In addition to these strategies, you can consider incorporating herbs and acupuncture into your routine to improve energy levels even more.
These two strategies are a core component in Traditional Chinese Medicine, which seeks to balance one’s qi, or the vital energy needed to guide physical and mental health processes. Blockages, deficiencies, or excess qi can lead to illness. Therefore, herbs and acupuncture address qi imbalances and increase mental and physical energy.
The Link Between Acupuncture and Energy
There is a strong link between acupuncture and energy levels, and several pressure points in the body can relieve chronic fatigue. During acupuncture sessions, hair-thin needles are placed at precise pressure points in the body, which enhances the balance and flow of qi, or energy. Additionally, the process can balance hormones and regulate nervous system activity, which helps your body get deep rest to feel rejuvenated and ready for the day upon waking.
Several pressure points in the body are directly linked to energy levels, including:
- Acupoint ST-36 (Stomach-36/Zu San Li/Leg Three Miles): This point is found just below the knee cap. It is one of the most popular ones for mental alertness, as it relieves fatigue, better physical performance, and regulates the gastrointestinal tract. It is also a great pressure point for the autonomic nervous system, including heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration regulation.
- Acupoint Bl-10 (Urinary Bladder-10/Tian Zhu/Celestial Pillar): This pressure point helps relieve neck and shoulder tension and reduce unexpected headaches. It also gets the blood pumping, a natural way to stimulate energy. It is found at the base of your skull on both sides of the spine, just below the hairline on the back of the neck.
- Acupoint Kl-1 (Kidney-1/Yong Quan/Gushing Spring): This pressure point is on the sole. It can be found when you flex your foot by looking for a small depression about a quarter of the way down from the base of your toes. Stimulation of this point can improve blood circulation and increase energy.
- Acupoint GV-20 (The Governing Vessel-20/Bai Hui/Hundred Convergence): This pressure point is located at the very top of the head, perpendicular to the center point between the ears. It is one of the most effective pressure points for increasing energy, alleviating stress and frustration (contributing to fatigue), and reducing insomnia symptoms.
While acupuncture can profoundly affect your overall energy levels, it makes the most impact when combined with other elements of Traditional Chinese Medicine, including the addition of herbal remedies.
The Big Benefit of Herbs
Herbal supplements can boost your energy and help you maintain good cognitive health. Some of the best options to increase your daily energy levels include:
- Ginseng: Ginseng has been used for millennia to boost energy and stimulate brain function. It also improves physical performance, mental alertness, concentration, and mood.
- Sage: Sage is another common herb that can greatly impact cognitive performance. The compounds found in sage can improve mood, alertness, attention, memory, and word recall. It has also been shown to reduce stress.
- Guarana: Guarana is so effective at improving energy that it is a primary ingredient in energy drinks and supplements. It can boost physical performance, attention, memory, and alertness.
- Bacopa monnieri: This herbal supplement grows naturally in South Asia and helps with anxiety, insomnia, and memory issues. It also impacts brain functions, such as information processing and reaction time.
- Peppermint: Peppermint is such a powerful herb that even inhaling it as an essential oil can boost energy, mood, physical performance, and alertness.
In addition to this list, multiple other herbal supplements can improve one’s energy levels. They are most effective when combined in a way that is tailored to your body’s unique needs and used in conjunction with other elements of Traditional Chinese Medicine, including acupuncture. To learn more about the benefits of acupuncture and herbs, contact MK Integrative Wellness today!
MK Integrative Wellness offers various natural and herbal medicine options that use naturopathic medicine principles, from consultations, acupuncture, customized herbal formulations, natural pain management, and more. Our team can help you to manage your health and wellness through natural medicine options proactively.