How I Got My Energy Back - Elisabeth's Story
In this post, Elisabeth, co-founder of Aarja Health and Brand Manager, shares her personal story and explains how she regained her energy and found a balance for her well-being.
I can easily remember how frustrated and hopeless I felt when I was in my 20s because my health wasn't working well. This was the period of my life when I should be at my peak, or so I thought! After three heart surgeries almost in a row, I felt this fatigue coming on that I had never felt before. Just taking a shower or going to the store felt like insurmountable obstacles. I mustered up enough energy to get through work, but after work I couldn't do anything. My free time was spent on the couch, and I was embarrassed because no one understood that there was anything wrong with me, I just looked lazy to the outside world.
For me it almost felt like lying in an open coffin, because in my head I wanted to move and do things, but my body wouldn't listen. At the time, I didn't know what to do, and all I felt was that my health was only getting worse. I remember the time when I thought I couldn't do this anymore and I kept asking myself: Is this really how my health is going to be for the rest of my life? I had no answer. Finding the right solution for the situation is not easy when you do not understand how the body works or what is the cause of illness. If I had known everything I know today, my life between the ages of 20-30 would have been completely different, I'm sure of that.
I met my fiance during this dark period in my life, and he introduced me to running. He was an athletic and active person and he was very patient with me. We started running slowly, but after just a few times I felt that I got more energy back into my life! I still remember how amazing and surprising it felt. Was that all I needed?
I was able to start doing more things after work and had enough energy to do small things, like cleaning a closet. It was so rewarding. The more I put into my running, the more I got out of it. I have to say that I wasn't very fond of it from before, and I'm still not super happy. But with all the amazing health benefits, I motivate myself to get myself out the door. The best medicine for me today is still running outside in nature. It lifts my spirits, gives me a boost of energy, makes me feel strong and clears my mind. I have learned that all movements are important - no matter how small they are.
It turned out that my fiance also had serious health problems. Health is a matter of course until you lose it. We started a health journey together and wanted to learn more about how to improve health also in alternative ways. We traveled to meet various experts and health gurus around the world who specialized in nutritional treatments. What surprised us was how many people we met who had that in common with us. That the answer to good health lies not in prescribed manufactured medicines, but in how you live your life. That is, it is better to prevent what causes disease than to get it and then treat the symptoms with medicine. We discovered a whole new world of alternative health and self-care. We collected a lot of information from different sources and even during the trip we made changes in our lifestyle - what we eat, how we take care of ourselves and simply that we prioritize our own well-being. And a few years later we both healed.
What is important to us today?
We want to be sure that we are getting all the vitamins and minerals through our diet or through supplements because a poor diet leads to a lack of essential nutrients that our bodies need every day. A poor diet causes disease and suppresses our energy. It took me several years to understand what proper and adequate nutrition means. I had always thought that supplements were unnecessary because I thought that if you eat a varied diet that should be enough. But the food we buy today is not as nutritious as you might think, and you have to plan your diet really carefully if you want to get all the nutrients through your diet.
Especially up here in the north where we don't have any sun for two months, it couldn't be more important to take extra vitamin D. My winters were so much better than before thanks to my running routine and supplements. Knock on wood, but I rarely suffer from any seasonal illnesses anymore, compared to before. I truly believe in the power of boosting the immune system naturally. I think it's about the right diet, exercise and rest. When everything is in balance, you then have the energy to enjoy life to the fullest!
Here are Elisabeth's best tips that she uses in her everyday life to increase and maintain energy, especially during the darkest winter period:
1. Exercise - it gives you energy and endorphins, which lift your mood!
2. Get fresh air - it's easy to stay inside when it gets dark, but fresh air makes the brain work better, but it can give you more energy and help you focus.
3. Stay hydrated - drink enough water! Dehydration causes fatigue because it affects the flow of oxygen to the brain and makes your heart work harder to pump oxygen to all your organs — and that makes you more tired and less alert. By staying hydrated, you stay energized.
4. Vitamin C and D - I make sure I get enough vitamin C to boost my immune system and reduce fatigue. Vitamin D is the most essential during dark days!
5. I also use B vitamins, magnesium and iron to support my energy and health.
6. Sleep - now during the polar night we need more sleep. So take care of good sleep, it is one of the best investments for yourself!
7. Eat healthy - a varied diet with lots of vegetables and berries and good sources of fat, protein and carbohydrates will definitely support your energy levels.
8. Pay attention to your thoughts - feed your mind with positive thoughts and try to release stress. Your mind affects your energy more than we realize!
9. During this period we use a daylight lamp to add some "sunlight". Lack of light affects mood and energy, so this helps a little with this darkness.
Shop now for your vitamins and supplements to support your daily energy.
