7 Steps to More Energy Than You Thought Possible

Vibrant Life, Sept, 2001 by Sheila Wray Gregoire

When the pace of life starts wearing you down, try some of these.

If you were to ask women to identify their biggest health concern, what would you expect most of them to say? Probably breast cancer or heart disease, or even excess weight would immediately come to mind. And yet, according to a 1998 study at Toronto's Women's Health Sciences Centre, women's top health concern is far more mundane. Women--and men too --are simply too tired.

If you feel as if you're always running just to "catch up," try these strategies to minimize the frantic pace of your life and help you to feel invigorated.

Step 1: Plan

How many times have you come home from work at 5:30, wondered what to make for dinner, put on the spaghetti sauce, and then realized you don't have enough pasta? Time for another dash to the store, or perhaps a phone call to order pizza.

Before the week starts, take time to plan your menu to minimize the last-minute rush. Let your family members each choose one meal a week (they're more likely to eat it, then, too!). Once you've finished your menu, check your cupboards for ingredients and make a list of what you need. Then buy only what you'll use. You'll save time by not unloading groceries you don't need, and you'll save money by not buying things you won't use for months!

Step 2: Delegate

Maybe the reason you feel as if you have too much to do is simply that you do have too much to do. You feel out of control, ready to give up before you even start. It's time to delegate.

Elizabeth Prinzen, a home-schooling mother of eight, was recently feeling overwhelmed. She wanted to be able to give her undivided attention to the children during the day, but often the mundane got in the way. After talking to her husband, Bernie, about this, they realized laundry was the biggest culprit. Now three of her children do the laundry, and the house runs more smoothly.

Take an honest look at all the chores that you do--both at home and at work--and ask if somebody else can do some of those instead. Three-year-olds can dust. Though they may need help now, with practice they'll be pros by the time they're 5! A 9-year-old can be taught to make a simple meal such as spaghetti, and can certainly start to do laundry. A 5-year-old can sort socks while watching TV. You may have to tie these chores to an allowance to encourage kids to help, and they may resist major changes. But it is in everybody's best interests that everybody helps, so persist!

Then take a look at work. Are you doing tasks that someone else should help you with? After the downsizing that's occurred during the past decade, often one employee is asked to do the job of two. If you're regularly staying past 5:30 or 6:00 just to finish up, then it may be time to speak to your employer about delegating some of your tasks to somebody else.

Step 3: Eat

Where does your energy come from? Children know. We tell them all the time. "You'd better eat your breakfast, or you won't have any energy at recess!" You get energy from food, yet often your eating habits rob you of energy instead of providing the boost God intended.

"We can't overstress the importance of eating breakfast," says Peter Vash, endocrinologist at the University of California (Los Angeles) Medical Center. Don't skip breakfast, but don't grab a doughnut or Danish because you're in a hurry, either. Eating nothing first thing in the morning signals your body to store fat, leaving you lethargic. But eating high-fat foods increases insulin levels, leaving you tired. Instead, eat low-fat food with some protein to help your body "rev up" for the day. The same logic applies to lunch: if you eat high-fat foods, you'll be tired in the afternoon. So stock your cupboards with pieces of fruit, whole-wheat crackers, bagels, rye bread, and granola. Eat in a hurry if you have to, but today, promise yourself at least to eat.

Step 4: Relax

Stephen Covey, author of Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, claims that many people spend their lives "putting out fires": loved ones storm out of the house, big blowout fights occur, you have nervous breakdowns or crises with your in-laws. If these things are consuming your energy, it could be because you're not putting your energy into the things that will prevent such crises: taking time to nurture your spiritual side, and spending time with people you love.

Take some time today to do something just for you--even if it's only for 15 to 30 minutes. Have some quiet time with God. Take a bath. Listen to a motivating tape. Do those things that will refresh your spirit so that you feed your soul to be able to handle whatever comes your way.

Step 5: Say No

Look in the mirror and repeat this 10 times: "No. No. No. No." It seems deceptively easy. Yet many people have trouble saying the word.

When someone calls for a favor, do you automatically say yes so that they won't be mad at you? Do you let your children be involved in all kinds of hobbies and lessons, even though it leaves you with a crazy driving schedule? Perhaps there are other commitments you have accepted that are wearing you out.