Ways to Keep Your Energy Up All Day

Is getting through a day without feeling like you could fall asleep a struggle? Most of us would say yes. As a full-time writer, I am my own boss and have to make sure I stay motivated. Some days I feel like I could take a nap at about 3:00. The trouble is, if I do that, I have to make up the work I might have missed later when my family is home. I’ve found the following strategies help me to keep my energy at a consistent level all day.

Eat Lightly
Nothing sends me into snooze-ville faster than a big lunch. If you’re like me and usually eat at your desk, this can be even worse because it might mean you mindlessly consume extra calories as well.

A better strategy is to eat a small snack at about 10:00. A piece of fruit or a handful of nuts. This will keep your energy up so that by the time lunch rolls around, you’ll still be hungry but not ravenous. Then at lunch, by attention to portions. Keep carbs to a minimum and eat slowly. Purposely eat 2/3 of what you would normally. If you are still hungry later, allow yourself a small snack at 2:00 or 3:00. This way you are balancing out the calories to keep your energy at a more reasonable level.

Check Email and Facebook at Set Times Only
Here’s a bad habit of mine: check email, write a few sentences, see what’s on Facebook, find a link to add to Twitter, check email, respond to email, see a link you want to forward…. and on and on. Doesn’t reading this list make you feel tired? Trying doing it repeatedly throughout the day. Instead of doing this, check your email at a certain time. Then, close it. Promise yourself you will check it again in a couple hours. The same goes for Facebook, Twitter, and any other site that can take up your time. Doing your activities in this manner will actually make you feel more productive and energetic.

Take a Short, Brisk Walk
At about 2:00, take a short walk. It only has to be about ten minutes long, but even if you can get five in it will help. If you can go outside, even better. Doing this will bring your energy level up at a time when it is programmed to plummet. Getting fresh air also gives you a whole new outlook when you get back to your desk.

Nothing can make your day feel longer than when you are trying to plow through it without taking a break. Your productivity will go up if you allow a mental and physical break from your surroundings.

Image: sxc.hu.