All We Need Is Energy, Actually
How paying attention to what fuels and drains us can elevate our daily life
You feel drained, unable to do the things you planned, even the ones you were excited about just a few days ago. You’re irritated to the point that you can snap at your friends and family without a reason. You’re procrastinating on a few tasks that are not too complicated, but you still can’t start them. You’re not lacking willpower, or time management skills, or empathy. You are running low on energy.
Energy has become a popular buzzword in the last few years, and like many of those, it gets a mixed rep. It starts with proper scientific research, which informs psychological theories and protocols, and then falls into the hands of TikTok bloggers, Instagram influencers, and shady gurus (you know the ones I’m talking about). At this point, it begins to lose its meaning, but the fundamental approach that changes the quality of life is still there. When your energy is low, you have limited resources and a restricted point of view. When it’s high, you get to the state of flow where creativity, collaboration, empathy and joy rule. So, how do we approach energy and bring it back to our lives?
Start building self-awareness
Stop for a while and let yourself just be without any external influences for a few minutes. It might feel awkward at first, and it might take you some time to notice the nuances of your state, but the longer you practice, the better you feel and understand yourself. How does your body feel at this moment? What’s on your mind? Breathe consciously and let the body talk to you.
Practice micro-pauses throughout the day to check on yourself
Life is hectic, and carving out the time to get in touch with yourself can be challenging, but try to get back with yourself a few times a day. Between tasks, stand up, breathe, stretch, or briefly close your eyes. Remember Rebecca from Ted Lasso, preparing for the meetings with other, mostly male, club owners? She’s acknowledging her worry, but chooses to remind herself how capable she actually is, and she’s building this feeling through her body.
Name and accept what you’re feeling right now
We live in an exponentially digital world, and we lose touch with our emotions all the time. Here’s a hint: they’re not the same as our thoughts, and we really feel them in our bodies. This is why we sometimes find ourselves with tension in the shoulders, wicked numbness in limbs or fatigue. They can also be symptoms of some psychological conditions, of course, so if you feel them often, please see your doctor. But if you feel the emotions get the hold of you, notice and name what you’re feeling without judgment. It’s okay to feel anger sometimes, too, so let it be with you for a moment, and you’ll feel how you unclutch gradually.
Track your own personal energy peaks and lows
You might have heard of circadian rhythm or cycles, which is essentially the natural 24-hour clock our bodies have. For most people, they are automatic, but certain factors can influence them and mess with the system’s balance. They are rooted in the sleep/ wake cycles, body temperature, blood pressure, performance level, and hormonal levels of melatonin and cortisol as well. Knowing when your system is at its best helps you create a more holistic schedule, without pushing too hard when your body restores energy and prepares for the next phase.
Find and share your passion and purpose with others
The famous 85-year-long Harvard study on causes of happiness showed that positive relations make us live longer and happier lives. Our social life and sense of purpose are essential for the quality of our life experience and our health. And it doesn’t necessarily mean finding your life-long calling – though if you’re blessed with this clarity, it’s a great gift to yourselves and others – but engaging in purposeful acts daily, however small they can be, will elevate your energy levels significantly.
So, what can we do to get our energy back?
Start with building self-awareness through small intentional pauses throughout the day to get the sense of how you’re feeling.
Check on yourself regularly to feel your body, emotional state, and pause a little
Name and accept the emotions you’re feeling so they don’t get stuck in your body
Track your personal high and low times within the day and plan accordingly
Lean on meaningful connections in your life and practice purposeful acts regularly
I hope these few steps will help you get back in contact with the most important person in your life, you. Energy is ever-changing, so don’t get too sad or irritated with yourself for letting it drop. You got this!
What do you practice to get your energy back? I’d love to know about your approach in the comments.
Know someone who’s struggling with energy and focus? Please, share this post with them.