Feeling energetic is a key to feeling happy according to Happiness Expert Gretchen Rubin.
Studies show that when you feel energetic, you feel much better about yourself. On the other hand, when you feel exhausted, tasks that would ordinarily make you happy—like cooking dinner—can make you feel overwhelmed and uninterested. Energy (or lack of energy) is contagious. If you feel energetic, you’ll help the people around you feel energetic, too and that makes them feel happier.
We asked Happiness Expert Gretchen Rubin New York Times bestseller Author of Happier at Home & The Happiness Projects share her tips on How we can Feel More Energetic.
Gretchen Rubin shares 8 easy to follow tips with Spa it Girl “First I drink something with caffeine in it, but if I feel like I need to take further steps, I try these strategies:
1. Exercise—even a quick ten-minute walk will increase your energy and boost your mood. This really works! Try it!
2. Listen to lively music. Make sure you have a playlist of songs that make you feel good.
3. Get enough sleep. If the alarm blasts you out of a sound sleep every morning, you’re not getting enough—and it matters.
4. Have a Power Nap. For some people, taking a 10-30 minute nap is a big help. I can’t nap, myself, but my father has been known to take three naps in one day.
5. Act energetic. Research shows that when people move faster, their metabolism speeds up. Also, because the way we act influences the way we feel (to an almost uncanny degree), by acting energetic you’ll make you feel more energetic.
6. Talk to friends. I’ve noticed that if I’m feeling low, and then run into a friend on the street, I walk away feeling much more energetic. Reach out if you need a boost. This is true for introverts and extroverts alike.
7. Get something done. Crossing a nagging chore off your to-do list provides a big rush of energy. For a huge surge, clean out a closet. You’ll be amazed at how great you feel afterward.
8. Do NOT use food. It’s tempting to reach for a carton of ice cream when you’re feeling lifeless, but in the end, all those extra calories will just drag you down. In general, be wary of the urge to treat yourself when you’re feeling low.
Stay connected with Gretchen Rubin
at www.gretchenrubin.com