I remember when I thought it was normal to be so exhausted at the end of my day that I couldn’t remember my head hitting my pillow. Worst of all, I’d wake up feeling as if I needed at least a nap! I had accepted this kind of a lifestyle for many years. Then, one day, I spoke with a woman in her 80s who was DAILY working out vigorously and lifting weights. She felt great and had tons of energy! She really kept herself busy.
I thought to myself “Where on Earth is she finding the energy?” I’m barely a quarter of her age and feel drained. I couldn’t recover from a night out with my friends. Her secret was to stay active, eat a well-balanced meal, and the sleep would come naturally. I took her advice and began to visit the gym more often.  Amazingly, I began to feel better! I even changed my diet so I ate healthier; fresh fruits and vegetables, lean-er meats, less fats. I felt energy from within, I was on the honor roll, and was promoted from a bench-warmer on my softball team to a starting player! I was 5th on the line-up to bat versus a fill-in if we were short a player. Life was good!
However, over the years, my life changed. Life was really a challenge as grad school took hours away from my social and family life. Meals, if they were even existent, were not very well balanced at all. I munched on chips and salsa at midnight during my study groups. Dinner was a bowl of pasta and butter with garlic. When I went to bed with a full tummy of something I found in the house. Upon waking, I crammed down something that resembled a sugary breakfast food. Sure, I wasn’t starving, but my entire body was in self-destruct mode.
Tired and fatigued, that’s the main complaint Americans have today. Our lifestyles are jam packed with things to do. It has become more physically and emotionally demanding. Modern technology has made things happen quicker and easier, so we don’t have to hunt for food, walk 100 miles to visit our family, and if we get sick our immune systems can function better. The whole world is now at our fingertips! You can be connected with them at the touch of a button. Yet, some how, we still don’t have time for ourselves. We experience diseases caused by stress and fatigue. Our meals are not well balanced or even healthy! Restful sleep is a thing of the past. To do lists run through our heads all day long, giving us no peace of mind. We’re on to the next project well before the task at hand is done.
What is the answer to reducing stress and fatigue in our lives? The first thing most Americans reach for is something that contains caffeine. Some of these items include cola beverages, coffee, chocolate, over-the-counter diet pills, and even some common pain relievers. Did you know that over 90% of men, women, and children consume this stimulant drug daily?
Caffeine is only a temporary fix for an energy boost. Your initial reaction to the stimulant may satisfy your craving for more energy, but it won’t last long. Actually, caffeine doesn’t give you energy, it over-stimulates your central nervous system to give you the feeling of more energy. It can affect you in many ways, ultimately affecting your health. You may experience a feeling of being jittery or shaky, rapid increase in heart rate, increased blood pressure, poor quality of sleep, decreased blood flow to brain, slowed mental function, elevated cholesterol levels, and it increases the risk for cardiovascular disease. Women may experience a significant change in their menstrual cycle. You may also feel more fatigued after the effects of the caffeine have worn off. That sounds to me like you’ve defeated the purpose!
There are herbal products that can be used to stimulate the central nervous system. Some examples are guarana, cola nut, ma huang, and Chinese ephedra. Some of these herbal products can be extremely dangerous.
Stimulating the Central Nervous System can create more stress and fatigue with repeated use. These stimulants, at best, provide you with a boost of false energy. In my opinion, the best choice would be consuming a proven to be safe, natural product with a blend of herbs that help you by improving, enhancing, and strengthening your body’s systems that are involved.
Cordyceps CS-4 Extract, Panax Ginseng Extract, and Green Tea are all excellent choices. J. Zhu of the Department of Pediatrics at Stanford University School of Medicine has done a study on how Cordyceps has helped restore energy and provide health benefits to its consumers. He found it promotes more efficient use of oxygen, naturally increases energy levels, is an excellent antioxidant, has strong anti-aging actions, decreases LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) by about 17%, and regulates your immune system. This herb feeds the mitochondria (the energy center of all cells) and gives your cells, tissues, organs, and systems a natural boost of energy. This type of energy also increases your metabolism!
Panax Ginseng Extract acts as an adaptogen for stress and fatigue. An adaptogen helps to normalize various body systems, just like how aspirin normalizes body temperature. Ginseng was approved in 1991 by the German Commission E for “invigoration and fortification in times of fatigue and debility, for declining capacity for work, and for concentration.”
“Ginseng, in about 30 days, restores your energy level, increases vitality, and energizes the way you feel! A number of studies have been done testing ginseng against stimulants such as caffeine while the subjects were doing mental tasks. Generally, those on the drug stimulants were a little faster, but those on ginseng made significantly fewer mistakes.” claims Dr. Bruce Miller, DDS, CNS.
Green Tea Extract has been used for thousands of years. Studies in China, for periods up to 10 years at a time, have found fewer diseases and reported feeling better than those who did not use green tea. Green tea contains polyphenols, which are very powerful antioxidants. Antioxidants naturally give you more energy and vitality. They clean your system and prevent further damage done by free radicals.
Green tea has also been known for its ability to stimulate your body’s natural detoxification process. It raises the metabolic rate and fat burning beyond caffeine alone! So, by consuming Green tea, you not only will feel rejuvenated but also will experience an increase in metabolism!
“Studies have strongly indicated that green tea helps prevent the following cancers: mouth, pancreas, esophagus, colorectal, stomach, skin, prostate, bladder, and lung.” A recent study in the Boston area showed that those who consume one or more cups of green tea daily had a 44% decreased risk of heart attack versus those who consumed no tea. Other studies showed a decreased in cholesterol levels and that it prevents the formation of oxidized LDL cholesterol.
Cancer and heart disease are at the top of the list of the most deadly diseases. Studies have shown that stress and fatigue can contribute to the diseases, which result in improperly functioning body systems. Therefore, if you can reduce the stress and fatigue, you are enhancing your quality of life and improving your health!
What is the best anti-fatigue/anti-stress solution? Meditation, massage therapy, and physical activity (such as moderate exercise) are all excellent ways of feeling refreshed and energized. Find a hobby or just do something you really enjoy!
If you are looking for a proven to be safe, natural, consumable product, I would recommend the “Shaklee Energy Pack” or the “Shaklee No-Stress Pack” and are available at my office. The Shaklee Energy Pack includes the Energizing Soy Protein, Shaklee Basics, and CorEnergy. CorEnergy includes Cordyceps CS-4 Extract, Panax Ginseng, and Green Tea Extract. The Shaklee No-Stress Pack includes B-complex, Stress Relief Complex, and MoodLift. Both packs make great care packages or gifts for anyone any time of year! The products contained in these packs come with a 100% money-back guarantee if for any reason you are not satisfied with them. Contact Anne Pyrda for more information on these and other products, product guarantee, and services.

The information contained herein is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose or treat any individual or condition. Please consult your medical professional for the care that is appropriate for you
For further information, please contact Anne Pyrda at Anne’s Wellness Center at 315-736-4516 or visit us on the web at www.AnnesWellnessCenter.com. Suggestions for future articles are welcomed and can be emailed to anne@AnnesWellnessCenter.com. Anne’s Wellness Center offers services and products to balance and maintain a healthy lifestyle and improve your quality of living.