The mind is one of the biggest contributors to energy levels. The benefits of having high levels of mental energy include happiness, confidence, focus, and increased willpower, motivation, and productivity, which is why it can be so important to learn how to boost energy when it’s low.
Additionally, the mind has a huge effect on one’s level of physical physical energy. Increased willpower and motivation often lead to healthier eating habits, less procrastination, and more.
The way we think has an astounding effect on the way others perceive us and how we perform. When you feel confident, you look confident, and you will also perform more effectively, increasing the likelihood of success in whatever you are doing as you increase your energy levels in the long-term.
This article covers 15 ways to boost mental energy levels.
1. Be Grateful
Remind yourself of the things you are grateful or thankful for in your life. Gratitude will make you think more positively and give you more mental energy.
If you’re not having fun at work, be grateful that you have work and are earning a salary. If you’re having challenges in any aspect of your life, understand that challenges make you stronger, and be grateful that you don’t have a boring life.
Being grateful reminds you of what’s important. For example, you might be upset about being stuck in traffic. Being grateful for your family will remind you of the traffic’s relative insignificance.
Action item: Write down 5 things you are grateful for in your life to boost energy.
2. Practice Negative Visualization
Negative visualization originated in a philosophy called Stoicism. Stoics periodically contemplate, but they don’t worry about, “worst-case scenarios.”
Negative visualization is practiced to lessen the impact if these scenarios do come true[1]. In addition, it’s intended to reduce insatiability and force you to appreciate what you do have.
Most of us spend our idle time thinking about the things we want but don’t have. We would be much better off, Stoics believe, to spend this time thinking of all the things we have and reflecting on how much we would miss them if they were not ours.
3. Surround Yourself With Great People
Humans are naturally social, so building relationships makes us happy and gives us energy. Spend time with people who think positively and boost energy simply by being who they are. It will help you respond better to life when you’re around people who offer this kind of perspective.
Action items: Who in your life is overly negative? Should you be spending as much time with them as you do? What kinds of people would you like to spend more time with? Create a game plan for meeting or spending time with these people.
4. Think Positively
Thinking positive thoughts will make you feel more positive. Feeling more positive and optimistic will boost mental energy.
If you’re feeling sluggish or depressed, forcing yourself to think positively is a great way to start reversing negative momentum. Momentum has a profound effect on our energy levels, as energy builds on itself. If your mental energy levels are declining, it gets harder and harder to start improving them.
Focus on the positive in any situation. Take advantage of opportunities as they present themselves. Instead of thinking about what could go wrong, think about what could go right.
5. Declutter Your Mind
Most people are very busy and have a lot on their mind, which can get in the way when you want to boost energy. We receive information at a faster pace than ever before. Declutter your mind by delegating, setting reminders, taking notes, and keeping a calendar.
To avoid making mistakes, and to declutter your mind, keep as much as you can outside of your brain. For example, if you set a meeting with someone, put it in your calendar so you no longer have to remember it. Keep a to-do list, as it will be enable you to be more present and conscious of what you’re doing in a given moment.
You can learn how to make an effective to-do list here.
6. Go Outside
Exposing your skin and eyes to sunlight will give you Vitamin D, which can boost energy.
In addition, our minds and bodies are used to being awake during the daytime, and we naturally have more energy during those hours. Getting exposure to sunlight reminds our body that it’s daytime and that we should have more energy[2].
Action item: if you’re feeling tired while at the work, take a short break outside in the sun.
7. Have Fun!
Don’t forget to allocate time to friends and family, hobbies, etc. These activities provide excitement and keep you motivated. It seems counterintuitive, but taking a break from work can actually help you get more work done. Having fun stimulates your brain in a way that boosts energy.
Action item: Set times out of your week for hobbies or activities you find fun.
8. Stimulate Your Mind
Keep your mind stimulated but not overworked. Mental challenges will give you energy, but too much may leave you fatigued and overwhelmed. Without enough challenges, you may become bored and lethargic, so try learning a new skill to stimulate your mind.
Action item: Make sure to challenge yourself each day with a new experience or goal.
9. Meditate
Many people find meditation to be a great way to boost mental energy. A basic definition of meditation is simply being conscious of mind and breath, and it has been shown to have a variety of health benefits that can help boost your energy levels.
While meditating, the goal is to not think about the future or past, but to be present. I think of meditation as a time to let my thoughts flow freely and to take notice of my emotions, thoughts, and body.
Action item: Look for a meditation class near you.
10. Try New Things
If you stick too close to the same routine, your brain can go into “auto-pilot.” As discussed above, mental stimulation is essential to boost energy.
Try breaking your routine, and learn something new. Go on a spontaneous adventure to give yourself a fresh perspective. Go into a bookstore and pick out a random book from a genre you don’t normally read.
Action item: Choose an activity that you do consistently and adjust it in some way.
11. Practice Minimalism
Learn to say “no” and eliminate excess in your life. Throw away what you don’t need. When you have fewer items in your life, there is more space for things you want.
12. Focus on What You Can Control
Stoics believe in focusing on what’s within our control. Wanting or hoping for things that are not in our control will disrupt our tranquility, and worrying about or hoping for something that we don’t have an impact on can cause anxiety.
Action item: List what you’re currently worrying about or hoping for and differentiate what is in your control from what is not.
13. Do What You’re Passionate About
Taking part in activities, professionally and personally, that you’re passionate about leads to more happiness. Spending time on activities that you don’t enjoy can be exhausting.
Action item: What do you love doing? How can you arrange your career or lifestyle so you can do more of it to boost energy?
14. Take Responsibility for Your Emotions
Emotions have a strong effect on your energy levels. If you are feeling sad or embarrassed, you will have less energy. If you are feeling proud or confident, you will have more energy.
By taking responsibility for your emotions, you will become less dependent on external validation or circumstances to influence energy levels.
15. Be Present
Thinking negatively about the past or future can cause anxiety. Accept the situation you’re in and take the best action you can. Wishing you were in a different situation, or wishing you had done something differently in the past will only cause you stress.
The Bottom Line
Each of the actions above can be easily incorporated into your daily routine to improve your mental health. Identify what is causing you to lack energy, and apart from getting a good night’s sleep, exercising, and eating healthy, try some of the above to boost energy and reduce fatigue without that energy drink or extra cup of coffee.
More on How to Boost Energy
- 12 Changes to Make When You Feel a Lack of Energy and Motivation
- 5 Simple Stretches To Boost Your Energy At Your Office Desk
- 7 Causes of Low Energy (And How To Boost Yours)
Featured photo credit: Jonathan Sebastiao via unsplash.com
Reference
| [1] | ^ | Daily Stoic: The Stoic Art of Negative Visualization |
| [2] | ^ | Environmental Health Perspectives: Benefits of Sunlight: A Bright Spot for Human Health |
