Do you have a lot of energy?

[awakenedsoul]

I got a pm yesterday saying, "You sound like you have a lot of energy." I thought that was really nice of her to say. It got me thinking. What makes our energy stronger or weaker? Do you have a lot of energy? Has your energy changed as you've gotten older? What are you secrets?

Have you ever been in a job or relationship that drained your energy? Were you able to change it?

[Sad Eyed Lady]

I think of myself as a "low energy" person. I get tired easily, but only at times. I tend to have low blood pressure and I associate it with that, but if that is the case or not I don't know. I think this tiredness has happened more as I have gotten older, although compared to a lot of my friends I am in better health, condition and take better care of myself. Just still low on energy.

[pinkytoe]

I seem to have the proverbial menopausal zest ever since I got past all of that nonsense. I hate going to bed at night because I can't wait to get up and do stuff - does that make sense?
For someone pushing 60, I am surprised at my energy level - but also very pleased.

[awakenedsoul]

Thanks for the replies. It's interesting to hear the difference.

SadEyedLady, I used to have low blood pressure, too. I don't know about now. Glad to hear you are in good health and take care of yourself.

pinkytoe, That's great! You sound like my vocal coach. She is bounding with energy, and she's "over 65".

I think biking to the gym and swimming every other day is giving me more energy. I've also been practicing a yoga set that seems to give me more power. It's not that hard, and I like the effects...

Anybody else?

[Aroha]

I have heaps of energy too.

I have never heard of the proverbial menopausal zest, pinkytoe, if it's a thing then I'd love to have it.

I think my secret is a good night's sleep, and my key to that was adopting primal way of eating two years ago. Up till then I had broken sleep ever since having children (like 20 years) and was feeling ever more sluggish and blah. Gave up grains and seed oils overnight, along with other processed foods (which were already fairly minimal) and started eating a lot more eggs, meat and veges. The energy and sleep kicked right in almost straight away. I often get taken for younger than I am and certainly feel better than I did in my mid 30s-40s. I'm slimmer too.

[pinkytoe]

I think my secret is finally learning and respecting my own natural equilibrium and tolerances. At this age, I know how much sleep I need, what foods sustain me and what situations are draining. Heavy traffic stresses me out completely so I try to avoid at all costs by doing things in my own four square miles. I also feel off if I don't get outside some everyday. Sitting for too long or generally being inactive does me in. But most importantly, I am trying to avoid negative thoughts - things that come about when one isn't disciplined about fending them off.

[awakenedsoul]

Aroha, Thanks for the secrets. Your dietary changes sound like they really are working for you. I feel good when I eat those things, too.

pinkytoe, I completely agree. I feel so much better if I spend time in nature each day. That's why I love my porch and cottage garden so much...it's so cool and invigorating out there! Now if I could just discipline the negative thoughts. Singing helps me...

Thanks for your insights and wisdom...would love to hear more!

[cdttmm]

I think most people would describe me as having a lot of energy. I would agree most of the time, but there are times when I just feel very depleted.

Getting enough sleep, consuming very little caffeine, avoiding alcohol, limiting my sugar intact, eating lots of fruits and vegetables, and keeping wheat and dairy to a minimum all seem to help me. I also find that I need to work out every day or nearly every day. And not just 20 or 30 minutes. It needs to be some type of long cardio workout. An hour is good, two is even better. On the weekends I try for three or more. (Okay, I run ultramarathons and I've been into endurance sports for nearly 20 years, I guess that means I have a lot of energy!)

I have come to realize that certain people just wear on me. I try to avoid those people. I've had job situations that were amazing and I could work for hours and hours and hours and always feel energized. And I've had job situations that were so terrible I felt my life energy was draining away. I avoid the latter type now and I am totally unapologetic about it.

Last but not least, I'm also the type of person who needs to get outside every day. I do best when I limit my screen time (laptop, TV, phone, iPad, etc.) and go outside -- even if it is just to sit and stare off into space!

[awakenedsoul]

cdttmm, I don't know you, but I would definitely describe you as someone who has an exceptionally high level of energy. I feel better with lots of exercise, too. It seems like it discharges negative energy.

I know what you mean about people who are draining. Lately I've realized that people who discount my feelings or debate what I value are too overbearing for me. It feels like a lack of respect. I don't expect them to agree with me, but it's a drag when they counter everything I say. I feel better and have more energy when I'm around people who can agree to disagree.

What were your favorite jobs? When you have work that you love, that passion makes such a difference. I've quit jobs that felt like dead ends, too. Another door always opened. Doing work that uses my talents and that inspires me has been one of the high points of my life. Touring with Broadway shows was such a rush! I still have friends from shows I did in my twenties. We have such good memories. They are such special people. I appreciate how lucky we were to have those opportunities together. When I see them at reunions, I am filled with energy and excitement.

Thanks for you post. Anyone else?

[meri]

I need a lot of physical activity and alone time preferably outdoors to have energy. Eat the right foods, be in a good shape, get couple of hours of good sleep and stay away from crowds and noisy places (and people). I seldom lack physical energy but struggle to keep up mentally. I used to think it's caused by the recurring bouts of depression but came to realize it has more to do with the environment I chose to and promised to live in. Waking up most of the days in the city that I cannot bear makes me dig deep to find some meaning and beauty but thankfully I usually do find it and do realize there is a lot to be grateful for.

In the end I manage to do a lot of things and am very active but I am nowhere near to sparkling and gleaming with enthusiasm and energy. People sometimes make comments about how is it possible that I do so much, have 'drive' and energy to keep going when I am 'always SO calm'.

[awakenedsoul]

meri,
Avoiding crowds and noisy places and people is wise. You sound like an introvert. I need alone time to recharge, too. I'm sorry you live in a challenging environment. As you say, you promised to do so. I think our surroundings really can zap or enhance our energy. I love being surrounded by animals and nature. It's relaxing and soothing to me. From reading your posts, you do sound very calm... (and mature.) I can see why people would say that.

Thanks for posting. Keep 'em comin'!

[Aqua Blue]

I am very low energy and have always been. I think it is due to the chronic inflammation of my autoimmune disease.

It probably has a lot to do with why I am voluntarily simple. When I was in my early thirties I knew I couldn't keep working in newborn intensive care, an area that I loved. I moved to a Dr office setting which was much slower paced and more regular hours. As my energy has dwindled I have choose a smaller house, no garden(used to have a huge garden and canned etc. most all of the veggies we ate), less things to take care of etc.

It also played a role in my divorce. And probably the straw that broke the camel's back in regard to whether or not to have kids. Energy level has really been a factor in my whole life.

In my 20 and 30's I was very fit, hiking long distances etc., but it didn't seem to play a role in the underlying exhaustion.

[awakenedsoul]

Wow, Aqua Blue. My impression of you over the Internet was of someone so vital and bursting with energy. I had no idea you had chronic inflammation and an autoimmune disease. I'm sorry. That must be very difficult.

Did you have low energy as a child? It's great that you were able to do work that you loved. It sounds like you've been able to downsize and make your responsibilities more manageable.

[Rachel]

Such an interesting discussion. It seems like we might all have different "set points" as far as energy and each person uses his/her own strategies to cope with that. I think I have a lot of energy, but I struggle not to pour it into anxiety! I so agree that physical activity can make a huge difference.

[Aqua Blue]

Wow, Aqua Blue. My impression of you over the Internet was of someone so vital and bursting with energy. I had no idea you had chronic inflammation and an autoimmune disease. I'm sorry. That must be very difficult.

Did you have low energy as a child? It's great that you were able to do work that you loved. It sounds like you've been able to downsize and make your responsibilities more manageable.

Yes, I was a low energy child, much to my mother's dismay. I would always fall asleep at evening church services(Sunday and Weds) or when we were visiting relatives. That annoyed her. When I went to nursing school I stayed for the first couple of months in the dorm, but moved back home where I could get more sleep. I hated summer camp and actually only went once, I could not get enough sleep so never went again.

In my 20s and 30s I hiked all over Western Montana. We (I was married at the time) hiked most of the peaks in Glacier. Once I hiked from Many Glacier hotel to Granite Park chalet and out the Garden Wall which is about 25 mile all in one day. I was very fit, but still exhausted, lol. I have adjusted my life and downsized to make it manageable.

[awakenedsoul]

These are fantastic replies, thank you. Oddball, I love reading all of that stuff, too. Which element are you? I like Barbara Brenan's books, as well. I'm also amazed at how our habits affect our energy. I've been much more social since I joined the gym. It's really energized me. I feel very happy and in sync around people who stay in shape and are physical. When I was attending the knitting groups, the energy was heavy, critical, and depressed. Sitting for hours listening to women complaining literally made my muscles ache! Surroundings are a big influence on me. I think that's why I love keeping a clean, neat home. I just feel so much better about everything. My front cottage garden feels like it showers me with healing energy. It's like a cocoon of positivity. Plants really thrive on care.
Rachel, Yeah...how we use our energy is key. I think that's why I love art and physical activity.
Aqua Blue, That's so interesting. Would you describe yourself as highly sensitive? I don't like loud group situations, either. They really overload my circuits and exhaust me.

[Florence]

I have always been low energy. I learned early to pace myself, break large tasks into smaller ones. I have always tried to do things as efficiently as possible. I was always a morning person with most of my energy present in the mornings. I always wanted to take an after lunch nap and bedtime was always by 10pm. As I have gotten older, my sleep is more broken up but I still need about 9 hours.

[Aqua Blue]

I have always been low energy. I learned early to pace myself, break large tasks into smaller ones. I have always tried to do things as efficiently as possible. I was always a morning person with most of my energy present in the mornings. I always wanted to take an after lunch nap and bedtime was always by 10pm. As I have gotten older, my sleep is more broken up but I still need about 9 hours.

Florence, I could have written what you wrote, altho I pretty much have to be in bed by 9pm. Staying up till 10 really does me in, lol. I do need 9 hours of sleep and pretty much always have.

[awakenedsoul]

Florence and Aqua Blue, Well, this is interesting to me because I am the same way. I am also a morning person. I take breaks when I do projects, and prefer to work efficiently. I also always took a nap or meditated before going in to the theater, or to the dance/yoga studio to teach. I'm in bed by 9:00 or 10:00, too. Yet, other people describe me as high energy.

Oh, and it the winter, I get tired really early. I'm dozing off at 7:00 p.m. It's SO hard for me to stay awake at that time of year. My pot bellied pig used to go to sleep right after I fed her during the cold season. She was knocked out at 4:30 p.m. I think some of us need to hibernate. It's nice when you can listen to your body, and follow your inner clock. For a while I was teaching 9:00 p.m. classes, but it just got too late and too uncomfortable to continue.

[Rachel]

Yikes!! 9 pm classes!!! Who does that?! I WISH I had that kind of energy that late in the day!

I often go to a 6 pm yoga class and occasionally have fallen asleep on the mat halfway through. I don't care, I figure I'm better off doing half a class than not doing one at all. Fortunately, all the teachers at my studio are used to me and understand.

Yes, Florence, I find I can't stay asleep straight through all night no matter what I do. It definitely affects my energy level during the day because I can't sleep in or take naps---but I'm trying to do a mind hack with it and think of these wakeful periods as my chance to listen to a book on tape or do some stretches. Being upset about it just makes it worse.

I love that phrase "cocoon of positivity." Love that phrase! It is how I feel about an oriental rug we have in the living room. I look at that and feel good no matter what else is going on. I need to try to create a "cocoon of positivity" around my mind for when I go back to work in a few weeks!!!

[awakenedsoul]

That was the only night slot I could get when I was renting a studio by the hour. It didn't work...

I've had a couple of yoga students fall asleep during savasanah and start snoring. I think they must be exhausted. That means you're really relaxed!

Glad you like "cocoon of positivity" Rachel. Thanks. I'm getting motivated to write again. (I used to do side work for a magazine writing articles on dance and yoga.)

[ApatheticNoMore]

No. Part of why I really don't believe in full time work (and yes sure a commute won't help any). It seems to take almost all of what little energy I have, and that's incredible disheartening. It almost seems akin to a constant struggle to keep from going under (water) metaphorically.

[Florence]

Rachel, it took me years to learn to just go with it when I wake up at night. I had sleep studies and took Ambien (not a good idea) before I just accepted it. Like you I listen to audio books and generally fall back to sleep.

[Float On]

It depends. If there is something I really don't want to do...then suddenly I'm sick and no energy. Most of the time I enjoy everything about my life so I do have a lot of energy and enthusiasm and am ready at a moments notice.
Now, yesterday, 6 trips to town including one very important interview, and I was completely zapped by 6 p.m. and crashed on the sofa and napped till the phone rang at 6:20. It was a good thing the phone was on the sofa with me or I wouldn't of been able to get off the sofa to get to the phone. I stayed on that sofa till I crawled to bed at 9:30. When I woke up this morning at 6 a.m. I honestly thought I was waking up at 10:30 p.m. Guess I finally got that sleep I missed out on during the full moon.

[cody11]

I think the most important thing for energy is exercise when I was doing it religiously I was always up. So between sitting and no exercise I have become a slug. The body was meant to move and that gets the endorphins working for you. Also a positive mind set.

[awakenedsoul]

I've noticed that too, cody11. My attitude towards life in general is much better when I'm exercising. I also prefer to be around people who exercise. You can feel your own endorphins, and I feel like I can sense them in other people, too. My dogs are much better behaved when they get regular exercise. If they don't get their run, they start whining and acting neurotic. (One will dig at her bed.)

One thing I'm learning, too, is to not react. If I'm around someone who is eager to argue, I sidestep the situation. I'm just not interested in getting into conflicts over petty things...I feel like it's a waste of energy.

[cody11]

Hi awakenedsoul, Speaking of your dogs, my dog was used to getting our 1 hour walk everyday. He would look forward to it and so would I. I can tell he really misses it. I just can't walk that long with this back but am bound and determined to cure myself so we can do it again. I also can't deal with negativity in people. We have enough in this world to go around.

[awakenedsoul]

cody11, Oh, that's too bad. Dogs just love their walk. Is there a way you could take your dog somewhere close where he could run off leash? That way you don't have to walk so far. I am able to use the Walkydog and bike my dogs to a nearby school. They race around the fenced soccer field, and I walk around the track. (As long as there's no one there.) Sometimes the school principal is there with her dog and they play together.

I agree about the negativity. I've made a big effort lately to smile and be friendly to everyone I see. I think because of my hip I had gotten kind of distracted. Most of the time, people smile back. I hope you can heal your back and hip. I'm still working on mine. I can do much more in the pool than a couple of months ago. Bit by bit...

[cody11]

awakenedsoul, My dog and I are by ourselves. He hasn't been around other dogs other than when I left him with the breeder when I went on vacation in 2011. I wouldn't trust him off leash with other dogs. We do have a back yard and have a doggy door for him to go in and out when he want's. What I have been doing is walking him to the corner and back and seeing how my back is. So what I'm going to do is keep extending it gradually. I hope your hip. gets better soon. All we can do is try to work it out.

[Gardenarian]

I have a lot of energy. I need to move around a lot. I'm happiest when I'm spending most of my time outside being active.
I do sleep a lot though (not napping, but I sleep 9+ hours per night.)
I'm a lot more energetic when I'm on my own schedule and doing things I like. Not surprising!

[Rachel]

I'm getting motivated to write again. (I used to do side work for a magazine writing articles on dance and yoga.)

Definitely do that! Such a great way to contribute and give back to the world.

[awakenedsoul]

I have a lot of energy. I need to move around a lot. I'm happiest when I'm spending most of my time outside being active.
I do sleep a lot though (not napping, but I sleep 9+ hours per night.)
I'm a lot more energetic when I'm on my own schedule and doing things I like. Not surprising!

I feel the same way. Last night I dug up a lot of Bermuda and filled my green waste bin. I put it out for the trash collection today. It felt really good. We're finally having some cooler weather. It's funny how when you do things you like it energizes you. Going somewhere I don't want to ge has the opposite effect on me, too. Our bodies really tell us the truth.

[awakenedsoul]

Definitely do that! Such a great way to contribute and give back to the world.

Thanks, Rachel. I'm thinking of doing a book. A friend of mine just self published one on his career as a Broadway dancer. It was such an inspiring read! It's called The Only Boy Who Danced...by Ron Young. Everybody's got a story. It's energizing to use your creative talents and see where they lead you.

[ctg492]

Always had over the top energy. Life's issues the last year sucked my energy out of me. Still I felt I juggled and accomplished far more then many could have. I am now recovering my energy. When I run or bike a long ways, I tell myself Wow at 53 look what I am doing.

[frugalone]

I'm a low energy person. I used to have a lot of energy as a child, a teen and into my young adulthood.
My low energy may be due to low-grade depression, from which I suffer, and from Type II diabetes, from which I also suffer.
Exercising three times a week did help, but the longest I've ever stuck with a regular exercise program is eight months. Sigh.

[awakenedsoul]

ctg492, That's great! It makes such a difference to stay physically active, especially in the second half of life.

frugalone, I hope you get back to it. It can really help to discharge negative energy. Do you have something that you love doing? I think that makes a huge difference. It's all connected...