How to raise your energy levels

It would be great if our energy levels were always high, but the reality is we’re all human, and there are times when our energy dips. So what are some of the things you can do to increase your energy when you feel like the tank is emptying?

Ways to support your energy levels

Fuel your body

• Spend time every day enjoying the benefits that can come from deep breathing exercises.
• Improve your cardiovascular fitness by increasing your levels of activity to allow your body to take in more oxygen.
• Make exercise fun and interesting.
• Put time aside to do activities you enjoy, alone or with friends.
• Make healthy eating a way of life.
• Drink enough water each day. If you need more tailored support, you may want to speak to a nutrition professional about what food is the best fuel for you.
• There are many books and plans on healthy eating. Find one that works for you.
• Take care of your body. This could mean spending quiet time by yourself, booking a massage, having a bath or making time for whatever helps you relax and recharge.
• Have a go at complementary forms of body care, such as reflexology, if this feels right for you.
• Get a good night’s sleep. Wind down before going to bed and make sure your room is free from irritants and distractions.

Fuel your mind

Like your body, your mind also needs to be well fed through activities such as reading great books, participating in stimulating conversations and continuing to learn something new every day. The most powerful fuel of all for your mind is the thoughts that you think.

• Read up on the power of your mind. There are many books around that can help you better understand your thoughts and mindset.
• Make a wish list. It’s always good to have some great visions and dreams floating around “out there”. Equally powerful is writing your dreams down. You may be amazed at the difference this can make to your life.
• Develop the use of your right and left brain to release the potential within.
  Set yourself some great goals and commit them to paper: short, medium and long term.
• Think high-quality thoughts. Deal with the inner critical voice that so often negatively affects your mental well-being.
• Develop positive affirmations to create positive paradigms that your subconscious mind will use for guidance.
• Choose inspirational readings each day to keep your mind focused and uplifted.
• Display visual messages around you in the form of uplifting and powerful words and/or pictures.
• Pay close attention to what you fill your mind with through TV, music, films, reading, conversations and actions.

Fuel your spirit

• Listen to your favourite music or sing your favourite songs, and learn some new ones.
• Lift your spirits with laughter. Get together with friends who make you laugh, read a funny book or see a comedy show.
• Have a good cry if you need to. This can help release pent-up emotions and make space for how you really feel.
• Do something playful or unexpected. Treat yourself kindly, buy yourself something special, go to a restaurant for dinner, buy a colouring book and coloured pencils, or invite friends over for a creative evening. Think of your own things you could do to lift your spirits and write them down so you can use them on one of your less creative days.
• Try something you haven’t done before. You could learn to tango, write a story, paint a picture, paint a room in a bold colour, or try a new look. Live loudly sometimes; your spirit may need it.
• Do something you have always wanted to do. Book a weekend trip to a place you have always wanted to go, have a birthday party even when it’s not your birthday, buy a journal and write down all the things you can think of that you would like to do but never have. This might include going to a restaurant and ordering dessert before the main course, starting a hobby that you thought you’d never have time for, or exploring a new career direction.

The important thing in all of these lists is to choose something right away, or think of your own ideas, in each category and take action. Even if it is only a small action, it is important to do something right away.

Check the list of where you find your energy regularly. Keep adding new ways of bringing more energy to your lifestyle and, when you notice things starting to slip, take action and get back on track.

As you develop a healthier and more energised way of life, you may feel more in control of who you are and how your life is going, and you may be able to find a higher level of fulfilment in all that you do.