Energize Your Day!

How do you trigger that get up and go when you feel worn out and can only imagine collapsing in a heap on the couch?

In her book, Time Management from the Inside Out, Julie Morgenstern, explains how important it is to incorporate energizing activities into your schedule. She encourages you to think about what “activities boost your energy” and use them to invigorate you for the rest of your day.

This past weekend I experienced first hand the effects of a natural energy boost. I planned way too many projects for my first free weekend in a long, long time. Here is a peek at one.

I’m excited to share all the details of this cabinet project soon! When I was sitting on my couch contemplating my list of to-do’s, I was only able to get started and power through with the help of some upbeat, invigorating songs.

The types of activities that energize are different for everyone. When I need a recharge these are the ones that work for me.

• Listen to music
• Get up to stretch
• Change activities
• Read
• Talk a brisk walk outside or just head outside for some fresh air
• Call a friend

These are quick activities I can do at any moment to get me recharged. Energizing activities can also be planned in advanced.

One evening during the week, I schedule in a run with a friend. I look forward to this every week and afterwards I am pumped up by the exercise, connecting with a friend and enjoying some time for myself. It is easy to brush this type of stuff off, but when you schedule in time for your own well-being, you realize how it makes the rest of your day or even your week feel more balanced.

Julie Morgenstern gives more examples of energizing activities in her book, Never Check E-Mail In the Morning,

• focusing on a goal
• changing activities
• drinking a glass of water
• Taking a short nap
• stretching
• doing a physical activity you love
• going for a brisk walk outdoors
• eating a high-energy snack
• reading a book
• listen to music
• pamper yourself
• going outside
• do nothing
• calling a friend
• set a scheduled girls’ night once a month
• date night with your spouse
• planning a special outing

Which ones reinvigorate you?

As we think about all the ways we can energize our day, it’s also important to be aware of activities that drain you or undermine your get up and go efforts.

I often sit down with a little snack and coffee and turn on a favorite daytime talk show for a little treat. But it’s exactly that, a treat, not a recharging activity. Once I get all comfy, I have a hard time restarting. I am not perked up and ready to go like I am after I do an energizing activity.

We need time for both treats and recharges but just be aware of your own personal differences so you don’t confuse one with the other.

Enough with all this talk! Let’s make something happen! What energizes you? What is a task you have been dreading? Pick one of your favorite energizing activities and let’s get going to check that puppy off your to-do list! I am off to go clean the toilets (and trust me, I needed a recharge before diving into that!)