How to manage your energy levels
Energy – the basic building block of life. Without energy, we couldn’t get out of bed in the morning, much less go for a run, or handle with care a challenging toddler (or teenage) tantrum. So how can we manage our energy levels enable to enable you to live life to the full and be a source of positive energy for all who come in contact with you? By Investing time each day to recharge, refocus, and refuel your Heart Body & Soul.
There are different types of energy and they all can have a very different impact on our lives. Positive energy, negative energy. High energy, low energy.
We all find ourselves feeling the effects of negative energy at times (angry, anxious, burnt out, depressed). If we spend too much time in the emotions of this negative energy, dark clouds can form overhead and every experience is tainted and makes life pretty miserable.
You know those down days – from the minute you get out of bed in the morning and stub your toe on the way to the bathroom, nothing goes right and its a downward spiral from there.
Other days you operate from high positive energy – you are confident, purposeful, connected and “on”, getting shit done left, right & centre.
But, without going to the well to refuel, we soon run out of that high positive energy and need to curl up and recover on the couch with a good book or binge watch a TV series in a day.
Just like in physics where for every action there is an equal and opposing reaction, balancing energy is a little similar. The aim is to balance energy expenditure with energy renewal. As written in The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz, “energy capacity diminishes both with overuse and underuse, we must balance energy expenditure with intermittent energy renewal.”
But before we get into the specifics, what does optimal energy look like? Simply put, its the alignment of the 5 core dimensions or layers of the energy pyramid – physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.
At the base or foundation level is PHYSICAL energy – good nutrition, healthy sleep habits, exercise & movement, physical stamina, and an overall sense of wellbeing.
Next level up is MENTAL or cognitive energy – focus on top priorities and decision making, be flexible and open to changing course.
The third level is EMOTIONAL energy – self-confidence, resilience, a sense of belonging and optimism.
And finally is SPIRITUAL energy – aligning with your core values and connecting to a purpose bigger than yourself, or living your “why”.
So, it makes sense then that if you are not sleeping or eating well, your energy foundations are not as solid as they could be and you might be looking for a coffee and chocolate at 3.30pm.
Similarly, if you are running around after kids and ticking off all the crappy little jobs on your to-do list, which let’s face it isn’t emotionally or spiritually fulfilling, your energy will be compromised and you lack the stamina and motivation to look out for #1 – you.
How then, can we work towards alignment of these core dimensions? The answer lies in including activities and rituals that address each dimension into your daily life to restore and amplify your energy.
Here’s a little activity for you to try and work towards building energy rituals into your day.
For each of the dimensions – physical, mental, emotional & spiritual – ask yourself the following questions:
- I am at my best physically when I feel… (Strong? Fit? Eating well? Drinking water regularly? Well rested?)
- To feel this way more often I will…(Create a list of daily rituals, habits or actions you can take, such as scheduling exercise, creating good sleep habits, getting outside for a walk, etc)
- From the lists you create, then decide on 2-4 “non-negotiable” activities or rituals that you feel you need or require in your day to keep your energy in balance.
My non-negotiables are a daily walk outside, at least 10-minutes of solo downtime that could be spent meditating or writing in my journal or reading a book, and some form of purposeful movement. These are my fundamental requirements or energy refueling daily activities.
How do you manage your energy levels?
Its topics & activities like this that I cover in the Mojo Makeover workshop. Interested? If so, please sign up for the waitlist HERE and you’ll be first to know when the next workshop is announced.