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Lack of Energy
Why It's Happening:
A small portion of men feel quite tired in midlife due to declining testosterone levels. Should you wish to check your testosterone levels, see a physician for a blood test.
Stress, sedentary lifestyle, depression and poor nutrition can contribute to lack of energy, too.
What You Can Do:
If you are feeling markedly low in energy, you need to self-evaluate. Consider whether you are under major stress. Are you depressed? Do you ever exercise? How is your diet? Simple lifestyle changes such as eating a low-fat diet, exercising three times a week and getting eight hours of sleep a night have been known to re-ignite the energy level of many a midlife guy. With this energy comes greater libido and sexual enjoyment.
Cut the sugar and caffeine from your diet, says nutritionist Susan Mitchell, Ph.D., R.D., creator of ThirdAge's Say YES™ to Food diet, and co-author of Eat to Stay Young (Kensington, 2000). Also, Mitchell recommends drinking plenty of water all day long, and don't skip meals.
"Exercise is a supreme fatigue fighter," adds Walter Bortz, M.D., author of 99 Steps to 100. "Rather than lying down when you feel tired, take a walk, go for a bike ride, take a swim."
Mind-body exercise such as yoga, tai chi and chi gong can be excellent energy boosters. Stress management exercises may also help fan the flames of your life force. The Stress Relief Kit for Boomers contains more information on stress relief and energy enhancement.
Remember, just a little exercise goes a long way, healthwise. The National Institutes of Health calls exercise the "most effective anti-aging pill ever discovered." Besides helping to boost energy levels, reduce stress, speed up metabolism, and promote blood and oxygen flow throughout the body, exercise also helps cut your disease risk. Discuss potential lifestyle changes with your doctor: If you've been sedentary all your life, you don't want to start on too vigorous an exercise regimen all at once.
See These Related Resources:
Get fit with Chad, your personal trainer
Your weight loss solution center
Eat to increase energy, with nutritionist Susan Mitchell, Ph.D., R.D.
Your guide to passion and intimacy
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