Though I still do sometimes, I have become great at not dragging through days like a zombie. I used to sit down to do some writing or reading and just feel dead. This lack of energy and ambition would result in a Twitter session (tweeting is easy) and meaningless Facebook surfing and stalking (wait, what?). Followed by that would be 10-15 minutes of zone-out time.
I want to talk about a few cool ways that I usually manage to keep myself at least coherent during even the longest of days.
Walk. Going for a walk does something really good for me. It makes me more aware. Maybe it’s the cars screaming by that could kill me instantly? Maybe it’s the occasional squirrel running by or the mystery roadkill creature I try to ignore but just can’t seem to not look at? Anyway, do this.
Really hot and really cold shower. I’ll take a shower with really hot water and then randomly change it to freezing cold. Not sure about the medical mumbo-jumbo behind this, and quite frankly I’m too lazy to look it up, but it works for me.
Tapping and a nap. I found this great website through the wonderful Jen Smith on Twitter and tried a little Tapping. It’s an Emotional Freedom Technique that is actually very neat. I thought it was kind of new-agey and weird at first but it works. It really does. SO, I do a quick Tapping session and then a 10-15 minute worry free nap ensues.
What kind of things do you do to get a quick burst of energy (caffeine and other drugs not included)?
the growth of this site depends on you, please share it. get free updates when I post again by rss or by email.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m more of an ‘exercise for energy’ type of person. As long as I don’t kill myself at the gym or in the park, I’m wired after a good workout. (Actually, that’s my plan in about an hour!)
That tapping site makes me think of EMDR. It’s a sort of hypnosis through repetition, tricks your brain into spending it’s shallowest (most accessible) resources on the tapping rather than on avoidance techniques like worry or stress. It allows you to confront underlying emotions or thoughts. That’s how I seem to remember that working anyway. New agey or not, I’m glad it works for you!
Hey Nate! :)
Some really good tips here Nate. I loved your description of your walk… It sounded kinda scary but exciting! (screeching cars and roadkill! ;)) lol!
Hot and cold showering is great! I studied nutrition a few years ago and learnt about this there… apparently the change in temperature moves the lymph in our body which is very good for us. Always best to finish on cold (finishing on hot leaves our body in a more ‘acidic’ state … alkali is better.)
*Aw* – you made me blush! Thank you for the mention. Yep, I wondered if EFT might be a little woo woo too but it really works doesn’t it! I have been using it a fair bit recently and am amazed at how quickly I can free myself of negative emotions.
Exercise is a huge energiser for me. I love running and walking. I have also recently started practicising yoga again always leaves me feeling sparkly and new!
Jen
@ jay – That usually works for me as well, but the problem is that once I’m working out I don’t feel like stopping, and then I end up more tired than before. If I could limit myself it would be more effective for sure! I just checked out your site, great stuff!
@ andi – That sounds about right. It’s strange how it works, but it has been for me so I’m going to keep sticking with it :-) Thanks for stopping by!
@ jen – Yes, my walks can be quite terrifying haha! I would definitely prefer a trail in the woods. And thanks for the little explanation on the shower, that makes a whole lot of sense. I’m so glad that you tweeted about tapping that day because it’s been so great for me since. That’s the power of social networking right there! Thanks for the comment :-)
So does tapping actually work? I’ve heard a bunch about it, but nothing concrete from anyone I actually trust.
I don’t think it could be bad for you, I just worry it might be a waste of time.
@ joel – I suppose it varies from person to person, but I can tell you that it really works for me. Once you do it a few times you can really identify the spots to tap that relieve the most tension (my collar bone for me). Go through the intro video at tapping.com and try it out. I promise you won’t die :-)
I’ll check it out, but if I die, I’m coming after you =)
{ 2 trackbacks }