This week’s blog is all about energy – I’ve yet to meet someone who doesn’t want a bit more energy (usually quite a lot). There are many ways of getting more energy. There is energetic potential in all of us – our food stores contain energy just waiting to be converted but energy comes from different places. Sometimes we become energised by a good idea or by listening to an inspirational speaker. Reading a book that takes us into another world for an hour at a time can be energising. We can energise ourselves through people too.
Here are the top 7 ways that I energise myself, and the good news is they’re all free and easy to do! Let me know your thoughts, and what you do to stay energised – you can email me at leanne@bodyshotperformance.com.
Also, look out for the latest podcast episode released today – Weds 11th October – with Dr Rebecca Moore, about how to spots the signs of anxiety and manage the symptoms with food and exercise.
Disconnect and Reconnect
One of the simplest ways to energise yourself is to take a break, whether that’s for a few minutes, few hours or several days. One of my favourite ways to disconnect and reconnect is by going for a hike. I put my phone on silent or sometimes on flight mode, and walk in the nearest bit of countryside to me which is Kent. I reconnect with nature, and sometimes hear nothing more with the ground crunching under my feet and birdsong. Sometimes the thinking time throws up a really good idea or provides clarity on a problem I’m thinking about, and sometimes I just enjoy the time out.
Spend time with animals
This isn’t for everyone, but spending time with animals can be very energising. I have cats and I love to be with them, although they sleep a lot which isn’t quite so inspiring… There are a few studies that have demonstrated the uplifting effect that animals and pets can have on people, especially for those who have mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. In 2001, a study showed that pet owners had lower heart rates and blood pressure levels and reacted better to psychological and physical stress.
Surround yourself with positive people
Being around positive upbeat people can be like a shot of adrenaline into your system when you’re receptive to it. I don’t mean spending all your time with Mr Motivator (if you remember him!), or someone who’s crazy happy all the time because that’s going to be annoying. I do mean being around people who don’t wallow in negativity, gossip or complain, but instead focus on being kind, open-minded and fun.
Fresh air – no environmental stressors
If we want to feel energised, we need to be mindful of what we put in our body, including the air we breathe. Filling your lungs with fresh air when you can will breathe life into your body, providing oxygen to your organs, muscles, gut and brain. If you live in a city, this might be more challenging, so try and get fresh air when you can even if that means heading out of town more often. There are also masks you can wear if you cycle through traffic a lot, for example.
Use minimal chemical products in the house
Many of the common household products we use contains lots of nasty chemicals that are good at killing bugs but are not good for us humans. Breathing the chemical fumes from these products or absorbing them onto your skin can be detrimental to health. Prolonged exposure can reduce your energy levels because your body is fighting the toxins. We use Farmdrop for all our meat, groceries and household products because they work with eco- and environmentally-friendly suppliers.
Position furniture to promote movement
Movement is energy! Recovery is energy too however, and finding that balance of training/working and recovery is the key to consistent energy levels. Staying active will help keep you energised, so position your furniture (whether it’s at home or work) so that you have to move more. Place items you often reach for away from your favourite chair so you have to get up more. Move desktop items to the other side of the office. Lots of daily life movement will help keep you alert and energised.
Ensure you have adequate sunlight
When I step out into sunshine I feel an instant shot of energy. Whilst there isn’t any solid science suggesting humans can create energy from sunlight (like plants do), getting a dose of sunshine helps us synthesise vitamin D3. A new study shows that the brain produces more of the mood-lifting chemical serotonin on sunny days than on darker days. This might also explain why people suffer from seasonal affective disorder, which is a feeling of low mood or depression in the winter months, and is reasonably common.
What’s your Health IQ?
If you’re reading this, you’re are probably in a reasonably senior position, running your own business or have a busy life running the home and juggling other responsibilities. Either way, you’re busy. The convergent pressures of work and family life have probably meant that the time you did have to spend on health and fitness has disappeared. Why not talk to us and see how we can help.
Leanne Spencer is an entrepreneur, coach, TEDx Speaker, author of Remove the Guesswork, and founder of Bodyshot Performance Limited. Bodyshot is a health and fitness consultancy that helps busy professionals get more energy by removing the guesswork around their health, fitness and nutrition. Visit www.bodyshotperformance.com or email info@bodyshotperformance.com to register your interest in our services and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
