December 2006

Top Ten for a Creating a Reserve of Energy and Vitality

Go to bed earlier so that you wake up naturally without an alarm clock. If you need an alarm clock to get out of bed in the morning, you probably aren’t getting enough sleep. While some people need 6 hours of sleep, others need 9 or 10 to be their best. Experiment until you find your ideal sleep requirements. Rested people are not only much happier, they are more productive!
Drink a lot more water. Most people are buzzing around on caffeine, which dehydrates the body and eventually wears out the adrenal glands. Both brain and body need water to function effectively so drink up! If you don’t like the taste of your water, get a filter—it makes a difference. When I lived in the Catskills, I had my own well and the mountain water was so delicious I drank heartily. I’m convinced that the reason people don’t drink enough water is that it doesn’t taste good loaded up with chlorine and all sorts of chemicals and our body naturally rejects it. Try Evian, it is the bottled water safe enough to give to babies. Keep a glass of water by your bed at night. Mine is always empty by morning. Drink a full glass of water first thing every morning. Bring in a big water bottle and keep it at your desk throughout the day. Talk your boss into getting a water cooler for the office on the basis that hydrated workers are more efficient. If it is handy and tasty, you’ll be more likely to drink.
Get a monthly massage/bodywork. If you are under extreme stress or live and work in a big city like New York, Los Angeles or London, you may need a weekly massage just to maintain a semi-relaxed state.
Take four relaxing holidays/vacations a year. Especially if you are self-employed! You need to get away from your daily life to get perspective on what is really important and to recharge. If you take your laptop and cell phone and check email and voicemail while away, it doesn’t count as a holiday.
At least once a week, engage in a “high flow” activity. Do something that gives you energy at least once a week, preferably a few times a week. Something that lights you up and leaves you radiant, energized and alive. I love ballroom dancing and it completely energizes me. Some people like soccer, meditating, painting, yoga…whatever does it for you, make sure you keep this activity in place, especially when you are the busiest. After all, that is when you most need the energy boost!
Get your top four personal and emotional needs completely satisfied. Neediness in any form drains not only our energy, but the energy of those around us. You can’t afford it. Find out what your top four needs are with the free Emotional Index Quiz at www.lifecoach.com (see Coaching Quizzes)
Install bigger boundaries than you think you need. Subtle digs, rude comments or remarks drain our energy. Don’t step over anything. Gently inform people when they have said something that bothers you (“Do you realize that was a rude remark?”).
Take a multivitamin and extra Vitamin C every day. Or better yet, eat organic food whenever you can. Modern day production leaves our food depleted of minerals and vitamins so you need to make up the difference somewhere.
Get in motion. Move your body three times a week as a minimum. Walk, go the gym, swim, dance, lift weights, play tennis. If you are in a rut and can’t seem to get off the sofa, hire a personal trainer to come to the house. Don’t worry, you’ll soon find the motivation to do it yourself. Make sure you do something fun that you enjoy so you’ll keep it up.
Stop suffering. Pain may be inevitable. Suffering is a choice.

Enjoy!
Talane