Navigating Energy Changes As We Age: The Crucial Role of Increasing Energy in Our Lives

Where does our energy go after 40? And how do we intentionally regain it back?

Energy is probably the single, most important topic to focus on at our age. As we traverse the journey of life, one inevitable truth becomes apparent – our energy levels undergo a transformation, especially as we pass the age of 40. The vigor and vitality that once seemed boundless in our 20s and 30s start to wane, leaving us to question where our energy goes and how it impacts our ability to perform in various aspects of life. It is important that we understand how the body changes, what we can optimize, what we can let go of, and how to hack our energy for performance. I’ll delve into the dynamics of energy as we get older, and underscore the paramount importance of sustaining optimal energy levels for a fulfilling life.

Nutrition and Metabolic Changes

The body undergoes significant changes as we age, and one of the most noticeable aspects is the slowing down of metabolism. This means that the body becomes less efficient at converting food into energy. More importantly, our body reacts differently to diets. The quality and quantity of our food is directly correlated to our energy levels. Sugar is not our friend. Too much alcohol becomes our foe. And unfortunately, weight stays on longer. It’s important to recognize our unique needs and how our individual body reacts to certain diets. We are at an age now where our kids seemingly eat everything, without gaining a pound or losing energy, and here we are, sitting on the opposite spectrum. It’s frustrating but true. As a student of life, you must never stop testing, experimenting, and finding out what works best for you. It is your life obligation to find more energy at this age and a diet that works for your body type.

Hormonal Shifts

Hormonal fluctuations play a pivotal role in energy regulation. For both men and women, the production of hormones such as testosterone and estrogen decreases with age. These changes can contribute to a decline in muscle mass, increased body fat, and a general decrease in energy levels. Hormonal imbalances may also influence your mood, further affecting your ability to perform optimally. The sooner you recognize your hormone imbalances, the better chance you have of testing out natural ways to raise your hormone levels with diet and exercise. Hormone replacement is a complicated subject. My recommendation is to get tested, find experts, experiment, and ultimately optimize your hormones.

Lifestyle Factors

Beyond the biological factors, lifestyle choices become increasingly influential as we get older. Poor decisions at our age have much more dire consequences. What we eat is more important, exercise and heavy lifting are essential, sleep is critical and managing stress is non-negotiable. As we age, experiences, responsibilities, and the challenges of life accumulate, potentially leading to mental fatigue and emotional exhaustion. Practices like mindfulness, meditation, and proper stress management become crucial for preserving mental and emotional energy. It also fosters resilience and sustained performance. 

Energy for Performance

In order to perform at the highest level every day, your optimal energy levels are fundamental to achieving peak success in various aspects of life. You are busy, but are you exhausted and busy? There is a difference. With many years of life lessons and experiences behind us at this age, we should be excelling in our careers, maintaining meaningful relationships, and pursuing personal passions, with the energy reserves needed to meet the demands of life.

Without sufficient energy, tasks may feel more burdensome, motivation may wane, and the overall quality of life may be compromised.

Essential Strategies for Sustaining Energy 

• Nutrition
• Exercise
• Sleep
• Stress Management
• Mindfulness

These strategies are the basis of energy preservation and enhancement. Beyond nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management, and mindfulness, there are many other ways to optimize performance such as supplements, cold therapy, meditation, natural herbs, fasting, and many more.

The Influence of Energy

Probably the most significant part of understanding and optimizing your energy is the influence that you will have on your kids. When they see your relentless discipline and positive habits, their own resilience could be unstoppable once they understand how to manage their diet, exercise, stress, and mindfulness at a younger age. Be the influence they need to see so they can master their energy levels and succeed in life.

As we navigate the terrain beyond 40, understanding and actively managing our energy becomes paramount. Recognizing the biological shifts, addressing lifestyle factors, and adopting strategies to sustain energy is key to unlocking the full spectrum of life's possibilities. By nurturing our physical, mental, and emotional well-being, we can not only adapt to the changes that come with age but also continue to perform at our best in the various roles and endeavors that define our lives.