Enhance your Energy: Top six energy zappers and how to eliminate them

Winter is a time of stillness and hibernation and a time when energy can get heavy and depleted. We may feel tired and under pressure, wanting to extend our duvet time. Although this is in keeping with seasonal changes, we don’t want our energy levels to get so low that we become ill.

Greater awareness of energy allows you to live more consciously and make better choices. After all, life is just a series of choices. The choices you make today determine your future. There are powerful things you can do to eliminate energy zappers and really enhance your energy in the winter months, when we can all use an energy boost. Energy Doctor, Caroline Shola Arewa outlines six energy zappers and how to eliminate them.

1. Lack of exercise

Exercise is crucial for creating and maintaining optimum energy levels. When we fail to get enough exercise the body can become lethargic and overweight and before we know it a vicious cycle is entered of low energy levels, followed by poor motivation and no desire to exercise. In order to raise energy levels again this cycle needs to be broken.

It’s a myth that exercise drains energy. In fact exercise activates your body’s circulation, immune system and releases feel-good chemicals. So break the cycle and schedule a 15 – 30 minute exercise routine into your day. Yoga, jogging, weights, whatever works for you, even if it’s simply leaving the elevator and taking the stairs.

2. Poor diet and eating habits

A high-energy diet keeps the body vibrant, healthy and free from disease. It figures that a poor diet will do the opposite, cause fatigue and ill health. We all know ‘we are what we eat’, butit’s not just what we eat, but when, where, how and how much.

Eating on the go is bad for digestion and means you can feel unsatisfied and overeat as a result. That’s where how comes in – stop and take time to eat. Enjoy the ritual of honouring your body and savouring your food. How much is also very individual but we need surprisingly small amounts of food to maintain health. Digestion uses a lot of energy, we all know over-eating is draining. Develop conscious eating habits and you will radiate high energy. 

3. Insufficient rest and relaxation time

Overwork is a major energy zapper. The culture of working long hours, staring at computers or working from home without clear boundaries causes tiredness, poor concentration and exhaustion. There is always more we can do, so we have to decide when enough is enough.

Your body is able to self regulate, but only if you use your system efficiently. It’s important to take time out to relax and recharge. Relaxation tools such as breathing exercises, meditation and mindfulness techniques balance energy. Take two-minute vacations – time to stop, breath, relax and simply be. Close your eyes for two minutes, be still and focus on your breath. Use this simple tool several times a day to rest your system, trigger the relaxation response and create an immediate change in your energy levels.

4. Negative thinking and self talk

Appreciate the power of your mind. You talk to yourself more than anyone else speaks to you. Is your self-talk positive and encouraging? Or do you find yourself using terms like, it’s just not me, I can’t, its too late, I’m too fat, I’m broke, I could never, life is hard? Negative thinking and judgemental self-talk zaps energy in a big way.

Your mind believes everything you say. ”Whether you say you can or you say you can’t, you are always right.”So why use unconstructive, negative self talk? If the way you talk to yourself is anything other than positive and encouraging you are wasting time and precious energy. Change the script, sing a different tune, fake it till you make it, whatever it takes, make sure the way you speak to yourself is the way you would speak to a treasured friend.

5. Toxic relationships

Energy is enhanced when we value healthy relationships and release unhealthy ones. Apparently people come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. The trick is to determine who’s who and act appropriately.

Instead we are given to complaining about people, whinging when things go wrong and at our worst excessive energy can be used in anger, guilt, rage and resentment. All these emotions cause chemicals reactions in the body. And according to pharmacologist and research scientist Candace Pert, we get addicted to these chemicals. While we all complain and get angry at times, when our relationships cause excessive stress and negativity, they are toxic and its time to release and let go. Preserve energy by fully appreciating those you love and being courageous enough to release those who are with you for a reason or a season.

6.     Cluttered environment

Last but not least your environment has a major impact on your energy levels. A clutter free external space is generally a reflection of a clear and focused mind. A busy, disorganised and distracting environment probably means you are overwhelmed, lack clarity and find it hard to concentrate. Our clutter reveals what is really going on inside.

It’s important to mention that we all process information differently and this is mirrored in our environments. Left-brain dominant people tend to be filers, they like things organized and sequential. Right-brain dominant people loose things in files and can find anything in piles, because they are spatial thinkers. It’s useful to know your dominance and have realistic expectations. You can file or pile, whichever works for you, but clear your environment regularly to avoid overwhelm and energy blocks.

So this winter make the conscious decision to enhance your energy and start living life to the max.  

For more information visit www.energy-4life.com

Caroline Shola Arewa will be holding free talks entitled “Moving from Exhaustion to Boundless Energy” in the One Life Theatre on Friday at 16:30 and Sunday at 14:30. She will also available in the Oasis for Energy Balance taster sessions.