THE VITAL SKILL OF "ENERGIZING"
ONE OF THE GREATEST, MOST ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR LIVING A GOOD LIFE
An essential ingredient of mastering life! Do not let yourself be at below a high energy state - do at least a full round to feeling winded and/or exhilarated.
DISCUSSION:
Since energy is the "source of the force" to run life, it is a vital skill to be able to energize oneself to get much more out of life.
The other most essential skills are:
1. Knowing how to recover/rest/rejuvenate - and doing it
2. Being able to master one's emotions, which cannot be done without Correcting One's Collection Of Beliefs (see Beliefs Notebook).
Of course, to do that one must:
1. Learn
2. Think
3. Discover and distinguish what works
4. Choose what works best
5. Commit clearly to doing it as the best alternative. (i.e. choose it among the other alternatives in the moment)
6. Habitize it, so it occurs automatically and without effort.
To be able to do the above well, we must learn at the base level the key basic skills of life and to provide the power to do that we must keep ourselves at a reliable high level of energy.
Without the essential of energy, we have little power, while also generally being in a lower mood and lower psychological level of well-being (or a level of feeling bad).
The "when" is of course a vital part of the skill of controlling our state of energy. We must know the signs and know the repercussions of what the signs indicate is going on.
We need to know how to increase our energy capability and endurance for the long and medium term and then how to assure that we stay at a highly functional energy level in the short run, where we feel good and have sufficient energy to think well and to enjoy what is going on, with sufficient attention units to be able to do so.
SET ALARMS FOR ALL ENERGIZING SESSIONS
Other than the quick pick me ups as needly irregularly, I find it essential (if I really want to assure it gets done) to set alarms using my iCal or Google Calendar. I use the iCal because it sets auditory alarms.
For my master routine for my "breaks" when finishing a time
block, I set the alarm in the next time block for 15 minutes before the time block occurs, so that I can finish up my current time block and have enough time to do a 10 minute break. I also, again in that next time block, set the alarm for "at time of the event", so that I know when to start my next time block.
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Some special added reasoning: Movement cleans out the body also, which makes it function better and to maintain an essential for good health: Maintaining Homeostasis For High Functioning. This also reduces greatly the damage that can be done to the body by being out of whack for any period of time.
Periodic demands on the body give the message to the primitive brain to keep on pumping out human growth hormone, generate new growth in the brain, and to maintain all vital functions. (See and know: The Effects Of Not Keeping In Balance - Abuse This And You'll Suffer.)
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Go to the Energy Card, below, and print it!
SCAN THIS WHOLE COLUMN FOR IDEAS!
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THE ENERGY CARD RE-MINDER
See the "Energy Card" to carry around with you, remind you of what to do when "down" in any way:
ABSOLUTELY DO THE MASTER ROUTINE, BELOW!
THE ENERGIZING ROUTINES
WHEN:
1. Regularly: Regardless, reenergize every 50-90 minutes (decide what is best for you_
2. Whenever you are feeling/noticing low energy (or the indicators of it, such as fuzzy thinking, sluggishness, body not "feeling good").
Decide the times, then set the alarms necessary to assure that you will do it. (See what to do, in the body of the Discussion to the left.)
WHAT TO DO, WHEN...
Of course, we do different routines to meet what is required for different circumstances and levels.
THE REGULAR MASTER ROUTINE (Every time block; for me every 80 minutes within a time block of 90 minutes, i.e. for a 10 minute break.)
1, Drink a full glass of water
2. Quick in and out breaths through the nose only, rapidly raising arms over my shoulders and head. Make sure all breaths are deep and "hit bottom". (Similar to this: Video - start at 5:00 minutes)
To a count of 30; perhaps 30 seconds
Stop if you get dizzy, check with doctor to
see if it is ok to do, perhaps start less
rigourously
3. Cupping, patting entire body. See "Qigong" page, 1st half. (See the other videos on YouTube.)
Repeat rapid nose breathing, as above.
Optional (all or one or more):
20+ forward lunges (Video, 2:20)
20 quick pushups
20 jumping jacks (or "standing", moving only
one leg to the side, alternating)
20 squats (Video, 2:25) (on heels, knees not
moving forward, so you are "sitting")
What is "hitting bottom"? It is breathing in with sufficient depth (or force) to feel as if your breath hits the bottom of your lungs or stomach, like you've breather in fully.
Do this until you feel winded or exhilarated, or you won't have done enough.
QUICK PICK ME UPS:
Stand: I stand when I feel like I'm drifting into less energy or my body seems to need it. My full sized desk, which is big enough to raise my two monitor screens, is electronically raised so I can stand up and continue working, standing in great posture. As I get up, I breathe deeply.
Instant Energy From Something Good: Pretty much all the quick energy strategies to draw from. (The Bellows breath is similar to the quick in and out breaths through the nose.)
Drink a full glass of water
Breathing:
10 deep breaths and/or
Up to 30 quick in and out thru nose breaths,
while raising arms in rhythm.
Exercise of major muscles such as w/ pushups, squats) An excellent one is to raise knees touching them with your elbows.
(Use the small reminder card from that section.)
OTHER ENERGIZING ROUTINES
Morning Yoga - Quick 10 Minute Wake Up...(10:33) - Continue on to others
10 Minute Yoga Flow Sequence (9:57)
BUT WHAT YOU ACTUALLY MAY NEED
Once a day, usually, I will use The Power Of Napping. I recommend it super-highly, even if you've already has a good night's sleep, as it substantially increases alertness and productivity.
CONSIDER THIS "SUPER STRATEGY"
Although Tim Ferriss does ice baths, there are others who have spotted the obvious metabolism and energy raising of "cold showers" or immersions. Tony Robbins jumps into a cold tank every morning as part of his day launch morning routine. I have found, for me, that it is quite energizing to turn on somewhat cold water after taking a regular shower. It is not totally cold, but it is enough to initiate a reaction of "speaking tongues" and feeling like I must dance around, though it quickly becomes relatively ok, and then it becomes refreshing. I have not mastered doing this for a few minutes, but I do it long enough (30 seconds minimum unless I wimp out a little) at "just cold enough" to get a jolt. And I feel great afterwards for just the price of 30 seconds of discomfort - what a great buy!!!!
For anything that requires physical rigor, it is advisable to consult with your physician to assure that it is within your capacity.
Don't allow yourself to spend any time in "low energy"!
Do easy ramp ups if real low energy...don't allow to stay in low energy!
Slow, deep, relaxing, calming
10 deep breaths, hold between
Bellows breath - Super-energizer
POSTURE - Straight line down body center
HYDRATE!! - At least a full glass!
MOVE!! (SUFFICIENTLY) - Stand hourly, 5 min "cupping", major muscle movement, walking
REST (Sleep on exact schedule!)
1. More sleep, deeper (see instructions)
2. Naps: Micronaps (1 min), Mini (5, 10) Power (20 min) , Recovery (40), Sleep Cycle (90)
RELAXATION - Completely deeply (1 min; 2-5 min. and in nap as part of a nap)
EAT STABLE FOODS OF VALUE
Low energy, more protein
100-150 cals snack, protein/carb
Full meal when appropriate
"TAKE 'OFF TIME'" to rejuvenate
Card is in "Energizing" page in www.thelifemanagementalliance.com
Print a copy of page 3 of this page (after press print, the page numbers will show up) ; cut out the card contents below; attach it to a 3 x 5 card to post &/or keep in wallet.
