Energy is one of our most important assets. This is true from both an ecologic as well as a personal perspective. If we consistently use too much energy we eventually burn out or break down. If we use too little energy we find ourselves becoming weak and atrophying. Our world tends to celebrate work and activity and ignore time for renewal and recovery. To perform at our best, we need times of activity as well as periods of rest. In their book “The Power of Full Engagement”, Loehr and Schwartz state that energy, not time, is our most fundamental resource.
How can we take care of ourselves physically to ensure that we’re maximizing our energy? There are three things that have been proven to be valuable:
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Daily quiet times. In his book, “The Relaxation Response”, Herbert Benson, MD recommends taking 10-20 minutes each day to close your eyes and consciously relax all your muscles. Instituting this simple practice decreases blood pressure, strengthens the immune system and decreases pain syndromes.
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Nightly 7-8 hrs of sleep. Sleep research shows that from a health perspective the ideal amount of sleep is 7-8 hours each night. Benefits of regular, adequate sleep include improved memory and mood, less inflammation, and actual weight loss.
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Weekly rest periods. Athletes know that to perform at their best they must train hard, and take regular rest days. This prevents overuse injuries, restores glycogen stores, and prevents mental burnout. Incorporating a regular 24 hour rest day each week is part of maximizing the energy needed for full engagement.
Keeping our body healthy is not just about doing more. It’s also about giving ourselves the time needed for rest and recovery. Let’s manage our energy well and incorporate regular balance and renewal in our lives.
Republished with permission from the Living Whole Newsletter, Spring 2012. To learn more about the Living Whole Employee Wellness Program, click here.