How to Reset Your Energy

How to reset your energy

A step by step guide

By guest contributor Susan Hart

If there were a guaranteed way to reset your energy that worked for everyone, somebody would have bottled it by now and be living off the riches that such a cure-all would produce.

But life offers few guarantees so we go with what works for us.  After trying different ways to reset my energy, I’ve found the way that works best for me is to plan ahead for an uninterrupted period of me-time (ideally for one day) to reset my energy that includes lounging, gorging, purging so that I emerge with renewed enthusiasm and excitement!  I call it a slugfest.

Toning down your busyness, responsibilities, commitments and all those things that drain our energy may mean sending your family away for the day as the slugfest really needs to take place in your territory, hence the need to plan ahead. Other plan-ahead details include your food, beverage, programming, etc., so that you can be fully present during your reset time.

NOTE: In case of emergency, plan ahead with your family, schools, etc., a signal or system – such as arranging for a neighbor to knock on your door or setting a unique phone sound on your cell with one exception with the do not disturb phone setting. The point is not to let the highly unlikely chance of an urgent scenario or others’ far-fetched objections distract from your reset time (yes, this time is THAT important).

With pre-planning done, focus on your only task at hand: become a sluggard. By sluggard, I’m referring to a couch potato, a lounger, a lazybones, a sloth. i.e., “that sluggard attached to my sofa is my brother-in-law”.

Here is your step by step guide to do so:

Step 1: It’s understood that you get up whenever you want. Don’t confuse get up with wake up – two different things. Don’t bother changing clothes for the day – just stay in your PJs – bathing and other hygiene rituals are optional.

Step 2: Hang out where your body is most comfortable – maybe it’s the couch, maybe it’s on the floor surrounded by pillows, maybe it’s your bed. Doze in and out of watching TV reruns (do not watch anything close to news or controversial shows- keep it light, funny and entertaining) or reading a lame novel or useless tabloid – nothing too cerebral.

Step 3: Stay off of all gadgets – turn off phones, computers, iPads, etc.

Step 4: Eat a container/box/bag of something you know you shouldn’t. Eat in a place where you know you shouldn’t – like your bed. (NOTE: fresh linens may be required at the end of slugfest).

Step 5: Wash down your guilty pleasure with organic wine to minimize a sugar or preservative headache (or if you’re like Shannon- a nice tequila on the rocks).

Step 6: Give yourself permission to have a substantial, de-suppressing ugly cry. If prompting for tears is needed, read old love letters, look at photos of family/friends no longer here, mentally re-live a botched life experience or a particularly moving farewell.

Step 7: Consider journaling with pen and paper (no gadgets) during or after your ugly cry, your thoughts, feelings, regrets, lessons, revelations, etc.

Step 8: Doze some more, but only if your body and mind need it.

Step 9: Indulge in a small, healthy meal (that you prepared or purchased ahead of time) with a top-of-the-line glass (or two) of wine/champagne/tequila.  Light candles.

Step 10: Enjoy a bouquet of your favorite flowers while you take your time dining in the evening with the least amount of man-made noises as possible (open your window, eat outside, etc.)

Step 11: Treat yourself to a decadent scoop or piece of something sweet – quality over quantity.  Eat slowly.

Step 12: As your slugfest starts to wind down, pamper yourself with a bubble bath, facial, hot shower or whatever relaxes you.

Step 13: Spray lavender in your hair or do whatever you prefer to engage your sense of smell.

Step 14: Put on clean PJs. If needed, put fresh linens on your bed. More lavender spray.

Step 15: Read a few pages of a good fiction book in bed with low light or a book light.  If needed, put a note to your family on the bedroom door to remind them NOT to disturb you in any way.

Step 16: Put in earplugs and turn off lights.

As you drift off, give thanks for being tired and weary because it means you’ve made a difference.

Sweet dreams!

**** Thank you Susan for this awesome contribution!  If you would like to be a contributor contact us.