You can do many activities to help raise your physical and mental energy levels. Your physical and mental energy are so intertwined that when you do something to help one, you’re automatically helping the other. Here are some practical activities to try.
1. Develop a Daily Meditation Practice
Meditation is an effective way to help reduce mental stress to focus better. Additionally, you’ll learn to be more mindful in everything you do, often avoiding exhaustion in the first place.
2. Move Your Body Every Single Day
Moving is so important that even if you have a physical job, you should still find a way to get in more moving intentionally. Even if it’s just a few brisk ten-minute walks, it’s a way to clear your mind and get your blood flowing. Anytime you feel a slump coming on, take a fast-paced walk.
3. Keep a Gratitude Journal
Another way to stay energetic, both mentally and physically, is to be a positive person. Not everyone is positive naturally, but you can start to trick your mind into being that way by keeping a gratitude journal. Each night before bed, write down three things you’re grateful for in your life. Gratitude will be the last thing you think of each night. You can make this even more effective if you use a journal and a coloring book. Coloring will soothe your mind and relax you.
Check out our free Gratitude email course to
learn more about practicing gratitude
4. Find Your Energy Music
Everyone has positive, uplifting music that they enjoy, making them feel optimistic. A song with an uplifting message and a good beat can do wonders for your physical and mental energy! If you’ve had a hard day at work, listening to an upbeat song may very well be just the ticket for your ride home in the car.
5. Play a Game
Games and puzzles are great ways to have some downtime but are also good for your mind. Do at least one type of puzzle each day (such as a crossword puzzle) to help keep your brain thinking and get your mind off other things that are pressuring you and draining your energy. Our family also plays games regularly for fun and social connection.
6. Start a Yoga Practice
One of the best exercises for both mind and body is yoga. There are all types of yoga that you can practice. There are many options to stream free videos for beginners to get started. Alternatively, you can join a class, which is a great way to feel more connected to the world at the same time. One of my favorite books on yoga is “Energy Medicine Yoga” by Lauren Walker and Donna Eden.
7. Eat a Healthy Snack
Eating a healthy snack can be just the thing to raise your energy levels. A crunchy apple or some crisp veggies can help give you the fuel to continue your day without the energy crash that comes after sugar and caffeine.
8. Drink Water
Sometimes, it’s impossible to take time out to do anything mentioned. If that’s the case, a fast way to improve your energy is to drink water so that you’re hydrated. Most adults should drink between eight and ten 8-ounce glasses of water each day to stay hydrated. Take the challenge and commit to drinking enough water for 30 days, and you’ll see a huge difference.
It might seem like these activities will take away from the time you need to spend on things you need to do. But the truth is, the higher your physical and mental energy, the higher your productivity. Everything is easier when you feel energetic. Taking breaks with these activities can help you become far more productive and exponentially reduce mental and physical exhaustion.
Read more about self-care and stress reduction:
- How to Get Control of Your Stress and Avoid the Overwhelm
- Simple Habits to Help Boost Self-Care
- 5 Steps to a Stress Detox
