Energizing Tips
"Look after the roots of the tree,
and the fragrant flower and luscious fruits will grow by themselves.
Look after the health of the body,
and the fragrance of the mind and richness of the spirit will follow."
-B.K.S. Iyengar
We could rephrase the above quote in this way:
"Be rooted and built up in Jesus and established in the faith,
and we will bloom with joy and produce spiritual fruits.
Take care of our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit
and we will be more in tune with Him who created us."
We want to look at some ways on how to get a boost of energy when we need some. God has created us so complexly that there are many different ways to do this and it often depends on what caused our weariness in the first place.
Remember this: God is Light. Light is energy. Without light there is no life, no colour, no energy.
Let’s start off with the simplest tips of all and hopefully you’ll be invigorated. Some of these are contrary to one another so it’s up to you to decide which one/s you need at the time.
- Have a glass of cool water. You might not feel thirsty but your body might be dehydrating. If you don’t think so, have a drink anyway because our brains are mostly moisture and mental fogginess can be a sign of thirst. If there is not enough fluid in your body, blood volume can drop; and as a result, your body (and heart) must work harder in order to supply your cells with oxygen and nutrients. Dehydration can cause everything from mental fogginess, impaired short-term memory, dizziness, and fatigue. Here’s a verse in Scripture that I don’t mean to take out of context but I find it so fitting:
- Have a cup of tea, or even coffee but watch your sugar. Don’t like tea you say? There are many benefits to drinking teas and it’s amazing what we can learn to like if we have a good enough reason.
- Do not get into the habit of enjoying “energy” drinks. Most of them are a combination of caffeine plus huge amounts of sugars that are guaranteed to make you crash.
- Have a healthy snack like some fruit & nuts, fruit & yogurt, peanut butter & crackers, cheese & crackers, etc.
- Believe it or not, one of the rewards of fasting is more energy! Sometimes our sluggishness comes from being overfed instead of underfed. Fasting has physical benefits as well as spiritual…You may not feel very energetic while fasting but pay attention to how you feel the day after. You might like it so much that fasting won’t be that hard to do after all. You might not need as much sleep either.
- Go for a walk or do some form exercise. A staircase can be a good spot if the weather is such that you can’t go outside. Stretching exercises can stimulate the nervous system so it’s energizing for the body and mind.
- Slowly tense and relax your muscles, from your head to your toes. When stressed, our muscles become tense without us realizing. This helps to relieve some tension and anxiety.
- Set the timer for 10 minutes and do something you’ve been meaning to do. Getting it done will provide a boost of motivation that can be refreshing.
- Take a power nap. It can reverse information overload and help retain what we’ve learned. Plus, sometimes we just need to catch up on some rest.
- Going out and connecting with a sister or friend, especially when most of your time is with your young ones, provides a breath of fresh air and motivation to keep on, keeping on. Check out Philemon 1:7
- Do you expect something for every special occasion? How about doing something for someone else in your honour? Yes, it’s backwards but it’s neat how it cheers you up!
- I even enjoy grocery shopping by myself because it gives me some space and time to make decisions by myself. And as you know, there are many choices/decisions to make even in the grocery store! I also enjoy browsing health food sections to see what’s available and if there’s a super good deal that I can afford, I’ll see it as an investment into the well-being of my family.
- Dare I give this tip? I keep coming across having a piece of dark chocolate, 70% or more because it’s rich in iron, magnesium, copper, plus antioxidants. Do have it in moderation of course! The best way to enjoy this one, in my opinion, is with a handful of almonds and a cup of unsweetened green tea:)
- Using a good vitamin-mineral supplement has done lots, not just for me, but the whole family over the years. If I’m lacking important nutrients, it makes it more difficult to be the wife and mom that I ought to be.
- Essential fats are important and can not be made within the body, so we need to get them from our diet or supplements. These fats are found in oily fish, seeds, and nuts. 60% of our brains are made of fat and a lack of omega-3 fatty acids can lead to mental health problems like depression and fatigue (opposite of energy). These fats also naturally lubricate our skin, joints, and digestive system.
- If you’re constantly low on energy, you might need to get medical attention. Being low in iron (anemia) or thyroid dysfunction can be draining.
- How about music. Ever tried turning on some wholesome, uplifting music when feeling down, or when you need to get some work done?
- Or, a burst of colour like a bright red flower…then imagine. What are colours going to be like in Heaven? Here’s an article that tries to describe it and I’ll just post a small part of it here from:http://www.faithwriters.com/
article-details.php?id=1933
How about you read the whole article when you have the time.
There is no eloquence adequate to describe the colour of heaven.
|
In closing, may I encourage you to put the kettle on for tea. While you’re waiting for the water to boil, take a few deep breaths, do some stretches, turn on some uplifting, harmonious music, and choose a tea you’d like to try. Either for the first time, or try it again. Now sit down and enjoy your tea while thanking God for all the lovely things He has created. Not just for Himself, but for you to enjoy as well and may His Joy be your strength (energy)!
Now it’s your turn to share what energizes you
--
Tina D. Wiebe
