Not to disillusion anyone here, but our metabolism is actually not built like a speed gauge. There’s no gas pedal to pick things up or down … Not that we would ever hit the brakes and slow our metabolism for any reason, unless we were stranded without food for an extended period. You know, survival stuff.

But no. Generally speaking, we want to keep our bodies burning fuel quickly and efficiently so that we can keep up our energy, and not store extra calories as fat. Reminder: Calories equal energy. It’s gas in the tank. Unfortunately, fuel for humans is typically delicious, and lights up reward censors in the brain to ask for more. Oftentimes, we give in, because YOLO.

Reward centers firing or not, some of us happen to have a slower metabolism, or have slowed our own metabolism by not fueling it properly, suffering from chronic stress, thyroid disorders, or auto-immune diseases, or trying fad diets where we restrict calories and put our bodies into panic mode, damaging our systems along the way. If any of these pertain to you in a major, Captain Obvious way, we recommend inquiring about natural ways to boost your metabolism and talking to a professional for help STAT.

Of course, there are some steps we can take if we’re feeling a little sluggish to help reprogram the body to burn, utilize, and detox our “fuel” a little quicker. It all comes down to blood sugar, macros, hydration, and movement. Here are our favorite hacks and all-natural ways to boost your metabolism.

Work out

Hydrate

We also recommend drinking warm, hot, or at the very least room temperature water, as it’s easier for the body to assimilate, doesn’t slow digestion, and increases this thermogenic effect. Plus, it’s so comfy cozy, and still refreshing when you add a little lemon— a perfectly easy and enjoyable, natural way to boost your metabolism.

Don’t starve

If you’re just straight up hungry and fighting it because you want to lose weight, you are sending your body into panic mode — especially the ladies. That’s because it causes our blood sugar to crash, which is tied to insulin, a hormone. ICYMI, all hormones talk to each other; they are the chemical messengers in the body. When we starve ourselves, we are turning on survival genes that ask our bod to store fat instead of burn calories as fuel. Because our body thinks we are dying, and/or that it’s not a good time for reproduction, our estrogen production is sent through a loop. Think about that irony.

Prioritize sleep

Turn off your devices, read, light candles, do some self care and self massage, and get to bed at a good, consistent time each night. Getting into a routine will make it easier to fall asleep at a similar time, making consecutive nights of restorative rest a regular part of your body’s circadian routine. Watch the positive effects pile up.