Posted by John Brackett | Posted in Optimal Nutrition, Personal Energy | Posted on 17-09-2009
Tags: energy, mood, music, Personal Energy, workout
I just finished reading a great article about mood and energy, and how much your energy levels can affect your mood, self-esteem, and accordingly all of your thoughts, words and actions. When we’re vibrant and full of energy, feeling good comes naturally and it’s easy to get in that workout, eat right and smile all day at work while you get things done. But when we don’t have energy? It may be harder to find yourself in a good mood, and a lot easier to reach for emotional comforts in the way of food, tv or anything else.
Through optimal nutrition, it’s possible to get to a state where you naturally enjoy boundless energy and high moods – all the time. Instead of covering that here, I’m working on a 3-part video series that’ll go over that topic in the context of how to never get sick again. So while that project is being carried out, we’ll go over the best 3 ways to raise both your energy levels and your mood.
1) Do Something You Love
If you ever find yourself trapped in a low-energy or bad mood situation, do something you love to do. Even if it’s getting away for just a few minutes, the effects on your mood and energy are well worth it. To some people that might mean curling up with your favorite book, taking a hike, playing a few rounds of darts…anything that you truly love to do that makes you feel good.
2) Get In A Workout
Who doesn’t feel good after even a quick workout? The trick with workouts is that they’re more like an investment than just winning the energy lottery. You get in the workout, and instead of a quick energy rush that’s gone in a flash, you get hours of sustained energy and enhanced mood as the benefit! It doesn’t have to be at the gym, either; I’ll commonly make up new exercises around the house to keep it fun and feel good at the same time.
3) Turn Up Your Favorite Music
I know of some research that showed physical exercise as the #1 energy enhancer and listening to music as #2. These aren’t two random strategies, they’re the strategies. The important part with music is that you listen to what you love to hear; if you listen to your favorite tunes, your energy will skyrocket. Music has always had an amazing ability to let us forget about the worries of our daily lives and get taken for a ride on the creative side. Find the ones that mean something to you and turn it up!
These are just 3 simple ways to instantly boost your energy and mood – in other words, to feel good! Make a habit of doing what you love, first and foremost. It could be a quick daily ritual, or it could be something you like to go out and do every weekend. I won’t say any more about exercise – we’ve been told enough! But music is one that gets forgotten easily, or you may hear music that doesn’t inspire and uplift you. Find ways to bring empowering music into your life and have some serious fun with all the extra energy ;)
Unleash Your Vitality,
John Brackett
Now you’re talking MY language John. I began studying classical violin 3 weeks before my 58th birthday…..after only a few months of piano lessons as a kid. Even if I’m tired when I begin to practice, I always feel better AND more energetic when I finish practicing. When time permits, sometimes its hard to put the violin down. It’s some 2 years later now and I always look forward to learning more. Glad you talked about music. It centers me.
That’s terrific, it sounds likes you’re living those ideas! It’s so powerful to have that energy and mood booster in one form or another, especially if it’s creative and constructive in nature. Health and nutrition is one side of that for me, but I also love playing guitar, drums and mandolin so right up the same alley!
It is not enough to say exercise but also specify which type of exercise. Though there will be a lot of subjectivity in this, I feel yoga would have an edge as it is the only form of exercise that does not consume much energy.