It is commonly believed that we lose energy as we grow older, but I conclude that the level of energy one has in life is not so much connected to age, as it is to state of mind. Naturally, when someone is coming to the end of their life and may be more susceptible to disease, they may not have the same reservoir of energy and vitality as someone much younger. But I have seen human dynamos aged in their nineties with more vitality than people half their age.
The difference is their attitude and zest for life: they have found what they love to do, and they do it.
In my experience, the people who are at the most risk of ‘suffering’ a lack of energy are those who do not feel like they are living purposefully; they feel lost, overwhelmed, and out of focus. They are scattered and are trying to live other people’s lives. They are the ones also whose diets and lifestyles are also not all that ideal.
The body and mind are inseparable in their interactions and, therefore, we need to be accountable for how our psychology may be affecting our overall health. For instance, distraction and lack of direction in life can be a major contributor to a lack of physical energy.
Often people spend their day carrying around a long list of tasks in their mind; things that they think they must do should have done, could do, etc. The mental energy expended just thinking about this never-ending to-do list can leave you feeling drained, lethargic, and completely overwhelmed.
In today’s fast-paced world, it is essential we learn how to delegate and not try to take responsibility for everything. I suggest putting this imaginary list on paper, reviewing it, and then separate what only you can do from what you know you can give to someone else to do. Once you have done this you will not feel as overwhelmed and immediately more motivated and energized.
There are several other ways we can enhance our energy and vitality, without reaching for coffee or cola.
Here is how you can enjoy high energy levels naturally:
1. Prioritize your daily actions. When you fill your day with high priority, energizing, and inspiring actions, your day won’t fill up with low priority, de-energizing, and despairing distractions. The former elevates your self-worth and the latter drains and lowers it.
2. Prioritize what you eat. Eat the most vital and invigorating foods. Eat them with moderation, rhythm, and consistency. Eat to live. Don’t live to eat. Fuel your body with quality nutrients.
3. Drink clean water – the universal solvent – more than sweet or falsely energizing drinks that initiate volatilities in your blood sugar levels that induce rises and falls.
4. Do moderate exercises such as walking, swimming, yoga, or dancing.
5. Breathe deeply and diaphragmatically until it is your daily standard and habit, and you will have a tight abdomen and loose shoulders instead of tight shoulders and a loose abdomen.
6. Do not eat heavy and lie down. Eat light at night.
7. Read classical and inspiring books written by inspiring originators and masters.
8. Document what you are grateful for each day. When you are grateful for what experiences you receive, you receive more experiences to be grateful for, and you will generate an increase in energy and physical wellbeing.
To paraphrase David Thoreau, most people are living quiet lives of desperation, not invigorating lives of inspiration. Most people are not doing what they love, nor loving what they do. They aren’t grateful, so they are unwittingly putting on the brakes in life and lacking the energy and vitality to live.
By making changes to the way you approach your life, and by placing greater emphasis on personal fulfillment, purpose, and congruence with your highest values, you can enhance your vitality naturally, and without outside stimulants.
Who Is The Writer?
Dr. John Demartini is a human behavior specialist, educator, international best-selling author, and founder of the Demartini Institute. Visit Dr. Demartini’s website for more information.