Our Energy -- What Enhances It and What Drains It

Author: Susan R. Johnson MD, F.A.A.P.

Published: Nov 3rd, 2009

A few years ago while waiting for my son at his dental appointment, I came across a magazine article that spoke about the things in our lives that enhance or deplete our energy. Here is that list along with several of my own suggestions and observations.

ENERGY ENHANCERS

Physical Energy Enhancers

• grade Nutritious, vitamin and mineral packed organic fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds
• grade Good quality fats like coconut oil, olive oil, raw organic dairy products, avocados, pumpkin seeds, vitamin D cod liver oil, fermented foods and almonds
• grade Grass fed beef and free-range organic chickens and eggs
• grade Abundant pure water
• grade Light from the sun, moon, and stars
• grade Walking in a beautiful place
• grade Swimming in lakes, oceans, and rivers
• grade Hiking in the mountains and strolling along the beach
• grade Getting plenty of sleep (remember the sleep before midnight counts as double!)
• grade Doing things at your own pace rather than how someone else dictates them
• grade Dancing, singing, or playing musical instruments
• grade Bike riding, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, and canoeing
• grade Relaxing movement therapies such as Tai Chi, Eurythmy, yoga
• grade Taking a warm bath or sauna
• grade Receiving a gentle massage
• grade Giving and receiving hugs, back-rubs, and foot-rubs
• grade Holding hands
• grade Painting, drawing, knitting, quilting, carving wood, sculpting clay

Mental and Spiritual Energy Enhancers

• grade Saying YES to what is
• grade Spending time with friends and family who are positive and enhance your life
• grade Having adequate savings and maintaining a reasonable level of spending
• grade Maintaining a nurturing environment that is neat, clean, and organized
• grade Facing old conflicts and finding ways to forgive and move on
• grade Allowing spaces of free time in your scheduling for the unexpected
• grade Get more sleep (It is your connection to the spiritual world)
• grade Saying only what you believe to be the truth
• grade Doing everything with love
• grade Practicing gratitude
• grade Focusing on what you want instead of what you don't want
• grade Saying no to anything that goes against your values and integrity
• grade See your own gifts and bless the gifts in others
• grade Listening to and following your inner guidance
• grade Spending time in nature
• grade Having Fun, laughing at yourself and at life
• grade Praying, meditating, taking moments to still your thoughts
• grade Identify your dreams and follow them
• grade Listening to uplifting music
• grade Reading or listening to inspirational people, books, tapes, and poetry

ENERGY DRAINS

Physical Energy Drains

• grade Smoking
• grade Alcohol
• grade Drugs
• grade Sugar
• grade Margarine, corn oil, and other partially-hydrogenated and trans-fats
• grade Skipping meals
• grade Too much caffeine
• grade Food additives
• grade Lack of exercise or overdoing exercise
• grade Too much time spent driving
• grade Not much time in nature
• grade Insufficient sleep
• grade Constant rushing

Mental and Spiritual Energy Drains

• grade Too much mindless TV
• grade Too much time in front of a computer screen
• grade Excessive exposure to the news on TV, radio, and in newspapers
• grade Too much noise
• grade Spending time around negative, complaining, demanding people at work or at home
• grade Talking about yourself negatively, putting yourself down, putting others down
• grade Worrying and thinking too much about the past or the future
• grade A cluttered environment
• grade Financial concerns and overspending
• grade Projects you haven't finished
• grade Relationships and conflicts you haven't resolved or forgiven
• grade Resisting and resenting your life
• grade Holding things inside that you are afraid to express
• grade Pushing yourself to do things that you don't want to do
• grade Staying in a job you dislike or can't transform
• grade Staying in an unhealthy relationship that you can't transform