Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Steps to More Energy for Writing

Copyright © 2013 Joan Y. Edwards and Her LicensorsNeed More Energy?Copyright © 2013 Joan Y. Edwards and Her Licensors
Need More Energy?
"Steps to More Energy for Writing" by Joan Y. Edwards

Do you need more energy for writing? Here are 12 steps to help you re-energize yourself. 
  1. Accept yourself as being okay,  if you're tired. Also, accept yourself as being okay if you're not tired.
  2. Be open to more energy. Don't keep saying, "I'm tired. I have no energy." Those words themselves, zap your energy. Stand up. Hold your hands up high in the air. Hold your fingers apart. Spread your toes apart. Ask God to send you energy.
  3. Drink a glass of water. Water hydrates your body and makes it work better. It grounds you. When you're feeling edgy, nervous, or listless, drink a glass of water. Savor every drop.
  4. Eat protein: peanut butter or nuts, like cashews.
  5. Dig in the dirt. Garden. Get back to nature. Sit and watch the birds and squirrels. Walk around your yard or a nearby park.
  6. Exercise for 1 minute of exercise, alternate with 1 minute of resting, for five minutes. It'll get your pituitary gland in your body to send endorphins to your brain that give you a feeling of well-being and lessen your pain. We get endorphins from exercise, excitement, laughter, love, and orgasm. They said you get endorphins from eating spicy food. You can do yoga, too.
  7. Breathe in deep through your nose and breathe out through your mouth three times. Relax. Then breathe in shallow through your nose 3 times quickly, and exhale through your mouth three times quickly. Repeat this until you feel calm. This is a good way to do it if you have trouble sleeping. At least it's worked for me.
  8. Complete a Task. Finish a task or work on a task as long as you set your timer. If you do as you say you're going to do, you'll build up an "I can do this" attitude. Next time set the timer for 10 minutes longer and see if you can make that. Completing tasks sends a level of excitement to your brain. It sends endorphins to your brain that gives you a feeling of well-being. Make an effort to finish any task you begin. Even if you have to break it down into only 5 minutes at a time.
  9. Declutter, recycle, clean up, straighten, and Feng Shui. Even picking up only 5 things that are out of place and putting them where they belong, can make a difference in your mind and body.
  10. Take a nap - a power nap or a regular nap, especially if you are sleep deprived. A little nap will rest your body and might give you renewed energy to last you four hours until you can sleep through the night. That has been my experience.
  11. Be thankful. Write down or say aloud three reasons you are thankful. a litany of reasons you are thankful will fill you with more endorphins and a feeling of well-being. Meditate.
  12. Celebrate you. Get a cupcake. Put a candle in it and celebrate you. Think about all the good things you've accomplished in your life. Get a big poster and write your name in big letters. Underneath it write good positive words to describe you: Loving, kind, talented in many ways, determined, etc.
Copyright 2013 Joan Y. Edwards and Her Licensors When you're tired, just a little exercise might be better or a nap.. 
Copyright 2013 Joan Y. Edwards and Her Licensors.  
When you're tired, just a little exercise might be better or a nap.

If you're without energy for a month or more, perhaps a physical checkup with your health care provider would help. You could be anemic and need iron or have a thyroid that's not working full power.

If none of these ideas seem to work, brainstorm your own or ask your friends what helps them. Start writing, perhaps that will energize you even more.

Never Give Up
Joan Y. Edwards

"Joan's Elder Care Guide" 4RV Publishing, Release June 2015

11 comments:

  1. Excellent tips, Joan. At times, I must try them all especially #1. I'm not good at accepting my weaknesses, but once I do, I'm on the way to recovery. Thanks for great reminders.

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  2. Dear Janet,
    Thanks for writing. I'm glad you think the tips are excellent. I know what you mean. It is amazing that once we accept ourselves that things look better all around. Celebrate you!

    Never Give Up
    Joan Y. Edwards

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  3. Dear Vivian,
    Thanks for stopping by. You're welcome for the tips. Celebrate you and all you do to help others!

    Never Give Up
    Joan Y. Edwards

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  4. Hi Joan,

    Declutter and organize rang a bell. Thanks!

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    1. Dear Linda,
      Thanks for writing. I'm glad that declutter and organize rang a bell for you. Awesome.

      Celebrate all the organizing you do to help others.
      Never Give Up
      Joan Y. Edwards

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  5. Joan, it's so important to keep the boy health and active while writing. Thanks for these tips!
    smiles
    Steph

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  6. Joan, great tips, especially, for me, the exercise. Doing something physical frees my mind to start churning.

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    1. Dear Margaret,
      Thanks for writing. I'm glad that you thought these were great tips for you. It's awesome that doing something physical frees your mind to start churning. Realizing that and putting it to good use to get more creative writing flowing from your mind to your paper is awesome.

      Celebrate you and your willingness to share what works for you.
      Never Give Up
      Joan Y. Edwards

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  7. Dear Stephanie,
    Thanks for writing. You're right. It is definitely important to keep the body healthy and active while writing. You're welcome for the tips. I'm glad they made you smile.

    Celebrate you and the gift of humor you share with others.
    Never Give Up
    Joan Y. Edwards

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  8. Joan, interesting post. I like the idea of the 5 minute on/off exercise strategy. When writing or working on marketing or social media, the day can slip away, sitting in front of the computer - you offer lots of tips for breaking it up!

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