Energy is the source of everything we do. The more we can replenish our energy, mentally, physically and emotionally, the better we can feel and the more we can do. I don’t know about you, but I have a lot going on in my life: full-time job, 4 kids, 3 stepkids, husband to be, a house, friends, family, personal goals, etc! I have a lot of responsibilities and I like to squeeze fun in there too! This is exactly how I want it, but I also want to make sure I have the ENERGY to show up for the life I’ve created! There are some basics to making sure you’re providing yourself with the right things throughout the day and night to keep your energy level high and working FOR you instead of AGAINST you. This is what helps me show up EVERYDAY!
One – Hydrate Your Body
The liquids that you consume have a direct effect to how you feel. While coffee can give you a caffeine boost, this tasty beverage should be limited to four cups a day. You guys! That’s not four huge mugs a day either, that’s the measurement. It’s also recommended that you stop drinking it completely after 2pm. When you have coffee too late in the day, it can contribute to insomnia and sleeping issues. Water is the drink of choice. Water will keep you going. It’s also important to limit the amount of alcohol you drink. This will work against your energy level, which is the very thing we’re trying to avoid. Save this for occasions where you don’t mind if your energy is a little lower. For more info check out these 5 tips to drink water and like it!
Two – Eat Consciously
The foods you feed your body will directly affect your energy level. Sure – those tasty and quick processed snacks might give you a quick spike in energy that you need but will contribute to the low you feel later. Try looking at the bigger picture about how you want to feel ALL the time. Whole foods give your body what it needs to show up all day and don’t work against you. Yes – they take more time to prepare but the extra time you take NOW will help you LATER when you’re trying to find the energy to do the things you need or want to do. It doesn’t mean that you can’t occasionally have that treat, it means that most times, you reach for foods that fuel your body so that you have energy to live the life you want!
Three – Exercise Regularly
Exercise – that thing that people seem to either love or hate. This should be a part of your routine EVERYDAY. It gives you a dopamine boost, which helps improve your mood and helps your body to feel better. If you don’t feel good after a workout – you haven’t pushed yourself enough to get to the benefits. I know it sounds weird but you have to put out some energy to get more back in return. It’s SOOOO important to show your body some love and gratitude for everything that it does for you on a daily basis. Try different types of physical activity until you find the right one for you!
Four – Get Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep can be a challenge for so many people. There’s never enough time in the day to get everything you want done. If you’re not recharging your body at night though, you will run out of energy. Our bodies all need different amounts of sleep so figure yourself out! Get a starting point and add or remove 15 minutes at a time to see at what amount you wake up feeling the most refreshed! This is generally in the 7-9 hour range. Once you find that magic number, stick to it, even on the weekends. Going to bed and waking up at the same time everyday is recommended to improve your sleep quality, which has a direct impact on your energy levels.
Five – Calm your mind
We live in a hectic world, but that doesn’t mean that we have to have a hectic mind. The more control you have over your mind, the more in control you will feel in your life. Are you taking too much on at one time? Lighten your load! When you control your level of stress, you will have more energy to put towards the life you want! There are so many different types of tools available for stress relief, so educate yourself, try some out and see what works best for you! From meditation, to having a bath, to exercising, to talking with a friend – you’ll see what you like depending on the type of stress you have but remember to deal with it. Built up stress can cause havoc in your mind and your body. Reducing your anger and frustration will also help improve your energy levels. These suck the life right out of you. Sometimes that means letting things go, dealing with things or learning new ways of looking at them. Figure out which one it is for you!
Time and energy is limited, but there are some basic things we can do to improve our energy to make the most out of the time we do have! Giving yourself the things you need to be successful in the long term will outweigh any short term methods you use. While getting to this place might require you to make some changes in your life, you will soon start to see the benefits they have on your life. Taking care of you body AND you mind are the best way to let yourself know that you matter. So chin up, start small and let yourself reap the benefits!
What other ways do you use to keep your energy levels up?