Pursuing What Gives Us Energy: 9 Areas of Focus

In order to accomplish all the things, you have to do what gives you energy.

And I'm not talking about the jolt you get from a Starbucks espresso — I'm talking about doing things that cumulatively give you vitality, awaken your soul, and feed your need to make a difference and contribute.

Of course, without proper self care and paying attention to what our bodies are telling us, we’re not going to have the stamina or wherewithal to keep going, or even start. We’re going to have difficulty in finding clarity in our purpose and what we want to ultimately be and do.

When I listen to my body (and mind), I'm able to be more creative, empathetic, alert, my mood is better, and I'm a more creative thinker. And who doesn’t want all these things? So, while my grandfather says, “everything in moderation,” I like to practice these nine self-care principles to ensure I'm operating at my best — as most often as I can.

1  Nourishing Food

I know this one is obvious, but how many times do we sabotage ourselves by eating and drinking things that we know are nourishing to our bodies? My mindset has shifted over the years, and I think it’s partly growing older (and therefore knowing more about what my body wants), but also keeping my autoimmune condition at bay.

When I eat the wrong things or consume one too many glasses of wine, it affects way more than my weight. Everything from digestive issues, to brain fog and plain lethargy, I know what foods my body craves and aim to give it what it needs. This is mostly through meal planning and always having healthy options in the house, to making a run to Whole Foods for delicious healthful lunches during the work day. And, of course, only enjoying wine occasionally (which is probably the hardest part of it all).

2 Water and plenty of it

I hate being thirsty almost as much as I hate being cold. And it’s no surprise, because our bodies are around 60 percent water. When we’re dehydrated, it can impair many aspects of our brain function, including mood, performance and memory. The trick is to make consuming water a part of your daily routine.

I crave water and I'm always thirsty, but I know my husband, for example, can go nearly all day without it and not realize it. While many smart devices can even remind you to drink enough fluids, use whatever system works for you to ensure you’re getting enough. Studies even recently have shown that sparkling water is just as effective as still in preventing dehydration, and water from fruits and vegetables is even better than that from the tap.

3 Working out

I would be remiss to not mention that moving my body every day contributes significantly to my energy levels. As I mentioned in a post about why I workout in the mornings, moving my body as soon as I wake up sets a tone for the day, and for me is the ultimate way I can show my body love and practice self-care.

As we know, working out improves mood, increases your metabolism and has a ripple effect on so many of the other energy-giving principles I've outlined here. Everything from encouraging more water intake, to sleeping better and making better decisions about what foods you’re eating. For me, pushing myself through a workout every morning is one of the best ways I can ensure my energy levels stay up throughout the day.

4 Rest and sleep

A no-brainer here, but this one is crucial for me. As we all know, getting good sleep affects body function, mind and mood.

If I get less than seven hours of sleep, I'm a wreck the next day. I stare off into space, have serious brain fog and question whether I can effectively operate machinery. But a lot of people do just fine with less sleep — able to function, and rather well, on just five hours a night.

For me to feel energized and rested every day, it’s all about routine. Going to bed at the same time during the week while allowing some more flexibility during the weekends. When I get good sleep, my circadian rhythm is regular, and I find myself waking up before my alarm (even on days with 5:30 a.m. wake-up calls).

If you find you’re too busy to get the rest you need, rethink your day and where you’re spending time. And take your sleep as a serious part of your self-care. Because my husband is a night owl, we are often on a different schedule, but we’ve learned to embrace that we’re different. He knows I’ll go to bed early, and he’ll come rest with me but stay up and read or quitely tinker on his phone. We’ve made it work for us so we both get what we want and need.

5 Nature and sunshine

Do you ever find yourself craving outdoor time and being in nature? The National Institute of Health cites several studies where sunlight markedly improves mood and reduces stress.

This past summer, I found myself saying that all I wanted to do was to go on a hike — one weekend after the next. I craved to be outside, fresh air, sunshine, see the trees and leaves, and connect to nature. The more I'm outside and enjoying my surroundings, the more at peace I am, and the more vibrant I feel.

Some of this could be connected to the fact that I grew up on a lake on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere, connected to nature and running around barefoot and playing in the lake. Doing such things bring me back to my childhood and provides a sense of familiarity I need in my life.

6 Creativity and taking action

We all have that one creative thing that lights us up — and when we indulge in it, it feeds our soul. For me, this shows its form in photography, writing and digital design. I just can’t get enough of it. I do it for fun; I do it because my mind begs to indulge in these endeavors.

Stretching our minds makes us feel accomplished — learning and expanding what we’re capable of doing. And pursuing passions ignites us in a way that nothing else can. So it’s no surprise that when I indulge in creativity and take action on the things that mean a lot to me, it awakens me in a whole new way.

Find and cultivate the things that feed your creative soul, and take the time to indulge. It will have a positive effect on every other part of your life and contribute to your purpose.

7 Ongoing learning

I was a nerdy kid. And this was back when being nerdy wasn’t considered cool. I loved school, learning and challenging my mind. As I've grown older, I probably enjoy it even more. Because, think of it: Now we get to actually choose what we want to learn more about, and there are so many resources out there to acquire knowledge from — most of which are free.

For me, learning new things builds confidence and cultivates interest in subjects I may have not been exposed to otherwise. I love how listening to a new podcast or reading a book can challenge our perspectives and make us see things in a new light. Learning and listening can also be a source of relation, knowing that we’re all human, after the same things in life, and that in fact, we’re never alone in our struggles.

For me, there’s nothing better than listening to a good podcast that sparks action, new thinking, and motivates me to try something new. If podcasts haven’t been your thing so far, you’re totally missing out on a whole new world of learning, insights and growth.

8 Time with my people

There’s a lot of talk these days about the importance of your tribe and how spending time with the people you love actually can increase life expectancy. And, really, there’s so much power in being able to spend time with people you care about. Pouring into those I love ignites me and gives me purpose.

If I don’t have the opportunity to really sit down and connect with my spouse — eye to eye, uninterrupted time — every week, then it totally throws us off. We value and hold sacred the time we get to spend together, without interruption.

Spend more time with those who matter to you, as it can be argued that the relationships we have are the most valuable thing in life.

9 Time with my thoughts

Nowadays, it seems everyone is buzzing about the benefits of meditation. It’s become less of a woo-woo practice and something that even us ordinary “unenlightened” folks are dabbling in.

Even brief meditation (five minutes a day) can affect mood, anxiety, creative thinking and concentration, and other aspects of our health. It’s not surprising that a University of Rutgers study found that meditation reduced the amount of cortisol in the body by 50 percent.

I will admit that it’s something I have yet to try, and this might be because I’m afraid to see what will happen when left alone with my thoughts. It seems rather challenging when I think about how my mind is constantly going a million miles an hour. But I guess that’s the whole point. I can see how ridding yourself of your thoughts can have a seriously positive affect on your well-being.

Honor thy Self

Listening to our bodies and doing the things we know give us energy are critical to being the best versions of ourselves and accomplishing all the things that we want to achieve. I’ve had my fair share of self-sabotage… actively choosing to not cultivate the habits that will ultimately lead me to become the person that I strive to be. And what a crappy feeling that is.

But it’s all a choice we have to make. If, one by one, we can commit to honoring these principles on a daily basis, we will ultimately be happier and better off for it. Since I’ve been more mindful about incorporating these aspects into my life, I've increasingly been more productive and an overall happier, more compassionate, resilient version of me.