7 Steps to More Energy Than You Thought Possible

Vibrant Life, Sept, 2001 by Sheila Wray Gregoire

It's time to decide what's really important to you, and to say no to the rest. Take some time, either with your spouse or by yourself, to write down what you think is reasonable and important for you and your family to be involved in. Then decide how to start eliminating commitments that don't fit. Put everything on the table--even your job. Many people work because they think they need the money, yet when you add up all the extra expenses of working (such as child care, extra clothes, and a second car), it often is hardly worth the money.

Get rid of the things that bog you down. Then practice saying no. It gets easier with time!

Step 6: Sleep

Before electricity, pioneers tended to sleep 10 hours a night. In today's 24/7 society, you can watch Jay Leno at midnight and buy groceries at 3:00 a.m. And what happens? You get sick more often, fall asleep driving, and are accident-prone.

Some people feel proud of a deluded ability to survive on six hours of sleep. Lisa, who has three preschool children, routinely stays up until midnight or later doing all the housework she says she can't do while the children are awake. Yet according to Dr. James Maas, author of Power Sleep, if you're getting less than eight hours of sleep you're likely sleep-deprived and you'll have less energy.

So what's the answer? Go to sleep and get up at the same time each day, and sleep for at least eight hours. This gives your body the rest it needs and trains your body to be alert at specific times of day.

It's tempting to stay up late and sleep in when you don't have to go to work or school the next day. Resist the temptation and give your body the rest it needs. You'll reap the rewards!

Step 7: Expand

One of the reasons you often feel so tired is that things are always the same. You have the same job. The children have the same routine. Your errands and chores are the same. Adding something different to the mix can give your life some excitement and leave you energized.

What have you always wanted to do, but never done? What have you always wanted to learn more about? Financial planning? Gardening? Another language? Where have you always wanted to volunteer, but never felt you had the time? Find something that's been nagging at you, and do it! You've already said no to superfluous things in your life, but it is not superfluous to make sure that you are always learning. When your mind is occupied with something new that you find fun, you have something to look forward to. So go to your library and check out a book. Explore community college or continuing education classes. Search for service opportunities. Try to expand your life, even if it's only for a short time each week. Enlarge your horizons. See how high you will soar!

Now you have seven strategies to boost your energy and enthusiasm. Don't be content just to try each one once. Changes won't necessarily happen overnight. But if you make these things a priority, you'll be pleasantly surprised at how much less stress you'll experience, and how much more energy you'll have to embrace the life you've been given!