There are all kinds of things in life that drain our energy. Demanding, difficult people can drain us. Our jobs can be draining. Even social media and the news can be draining. As a result, it’s important to develop good habits to protect your energy.
Realize that there is no value in being exhausted. When we’re exhausted, we can’t think clearly, and we struggle to manage life’s stressors. In short, when we’re tired, we simply can’t be our best selves.
So, it’s important to find ways to protect your energy. Below are 6 effective strategies that you can use each day to protect your energy. Adopt them to stop from feeling drained and become a happier, more energized YOU!
1. Pause Before Making Commitments
It’s nice to be sociable and helpful… to a point. But if you say “yes,” every time someone asks you do something with them or for them, pretty soon, you’ll be exhausted. Worse yet, you’ll have no time to do the things that you actually want to do!
So, when someone wants to take up any amount of your time, ask yourself this question, “Do I truly want or need to do this?” If the answer is “no,” then decline. Yes, folks be disappointed by your answer. But that’s OK. It’s more important for you to protect your time and your energy.
2. Limit Looking at Technology in the Morning
Technology, in many ways, is wonderful. It allows us to communicate with others with ease. And it helps to keep us informed. But it’s also draining. For instance, the news, for the most part, is negative. And many of the emails and text messages that we receive during the day are full of complaining and negative thoughts. Being flooded with all that negativity isn’t the way to start your day!
To start your day energized and feeling good, you need to begin your day technology-free. Consider simply starting your day in silence. When you get up in the morning, read, meditate, and have a hot cup of coffee or tea. If you start your day quietly, you’ll then have the energy to face the world and any challenges that come your way.
3. Take Quiet Micro-Breaks
I’m a big believer in taking frequent breaks throughout the day. What I’ve found is that just a two-minute break makes an immense difference to my energy levels.
To keep your energy up, I’d recommend taking periodic breaks during the day. You might consider taking a break just to look out the window, read a couple of pages of a book or listen to a piece of classical music. Those tiny, serenity breaks will make a big difference in your energy levels. Even simply going for a short walk can be incredibly energizing.
The good news is that micro-breaks don’t take much time. Just a 2-5 minute break can be incredibly uplifting!
4. Connect with the World on Your Terms
There are all kinds of ways that technological communication saps our energy – emails, group chats, Facebook feeds. It’s endless. The problem is that we feel an obligation to read all this stuff and respond to it.
Now, of course, I’m all for being polite. But I don’t believe in being held hostage by the barrage of communication that I receive on a daily basis. So, I don’t respond to every communication that I receive.
Admittedly, that sometimes feels rude! But to preserve my energy, I have to be rude in order to survive in today’s world of easy communication.
So, my advice is this: To preserve your energy, connect with the world on your terms. Respond only to the communications that you feel like responding to. And don’t feel obliged to respond to every last communication that you receive.
5. Your Sleep Like Is Sacred. Protect It.
A good night’s sleep is critical to your keeping your energy level up. Without a good night’s sleep, we can be tired, irritable, and unable to think clearly. So, you have to do whatever is necessary to protect your sleep.
One important way to get a good night’s sleep is to bed at the same time every night. It also helps to keep your bedroom tidy and serene. And most importantly, to sleep well, you need to have peace and quiet.
The key is to make your sleep a top priority. For example, I don’t communicate with other folks after 10 p.m. From my point of view, there’s no conversation that I need to have after 10 p.m. If folks want to communicate with me, they can do so between the hours of 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. After 10 p.m., my position is this: “Don’t bother me. I’m sleeping.”
Realize that making your sleep a priority isn’t selfish. Rather, it’s self-preservation. Because the main way that you protect your energy is by protecting your sleep. So, be fierce about protecting your sleep!
6. Make Time During the Day for Energy-Boosting Connections
One wonderful way to boost your energy during the day is to seek out positive social interactions. For example, during the day, you might take the time to call or text with someone who lifts you up! Or, you might offer a kind comment to a family member or colleague. Alternatively, you might find time to have a positive interaction with a stranger or animal. Realize that those are all energy boosters.
Remember that as human beings, we are built to be kind. So, having supportive, kind and gentle interactions makes us feel good. Those interactions are energizing!
So, during your day, seek out positive interactions with others. The more uplifting interactions that you have with other people, the more energized you will feel!
If you are seeking to protect your energy, consider following the 6 approaches above. If you do so, you’ll be happier, mentally healthier and so much more energetic! (To read about the simple but effective power of walking away, click here.)
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