The idea of working out at the end of a long day, or when you are feeling fatigued and stressed, can often be the reason you don’t do anything – and you aren’t alone. So common is lack of energy that experts at natural health brand, BetterYou, have debunked some of the most common energy myths. New Product Development Executive, Keeley Berry, pinpointed how you can up your energy to get the most from an active lifestyle.

Myth one: Caffeine is king

Caffeine is a popular choice for a quick energy hit and caffeinated drinks will certainly provide a temporary boost, however, they are also one of the factors sabotaging our energy levels. Protecting us from several diseases, caffeine does have its health benefits, but drinking it daily will slowly degrade energy over time and it can also impair mood, disturb sleep and increase blood pressure.

Myth two: Increased exercise equals increased energy 

Exercise has a never-ending list of health benefits and we should all incorporate regular exercise into our weekly schedule, however, daily intensive exercise may not have the intended impact on your energy levels. Over-exercising can cause an energy imbalance between the amount of energy consumed and the amount of energy expended during exercise.

Myth three: You can train yourself to get by on little sleep 

It’s a common myth that we can learn to get by on little sleep with no negative side effects. The time we spend asleep should not be deemed a ‘waste’, it’s during this valuable down-time that our body repairs cells and creates new ones so that we can run at an optimum level. It’s also vital for mental and physical health and for our quality of life. In fact, a lack of sleep for an extended period of time can have an adverse effect, often being associated with reduced concentration and energy levels, as well as an increased risk of obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure.

Myth four: Detox diets improve energy levels 

While ‘detoxing’ encourages positive habits, such as eating more fruits and vegetables, there is no scientific evidence to support their effectiveness and these low-calorie diets can often make you feel more tired and can even cause nutritional deficiencies. For the vast majority of people, an active lifestyle and a healthy, balanced diet based on starchy carbohydrates with a rainbow of fruits and vegetables, plus some lean sources of protein, is the best way to protect health. Frequently, we can feel low in energy or generally sluggish if we are lacking in key nutrients that are either underrepresented in our diets or which are difficult to absorb from food sources. That’s why BetterYou is raising awareness of vitamin B12 and iron a nutritional components when it comes to feeling energised.