As we creep into the midpoint of 2021, it’s been almost a year and a half since the pandemic started and life as we knew it changed. For many people, this was a difficult year of job loss, financial struggle, relationship strain and illness. With increased vaccination efforts and cities throughout the country loosening restrictions, many people are feeling tired, but a renewed sense of optimism and excitement for the future.
How can you rebuild yourself, your energy and your commitment at this point in time? Are there habits you can start to form to help you get to where you want to be and move forward this year and beyond?
In this article, we will share four habits that can help you rebuild yourself and boost your energy to accomplish your objectives this year.
4 Habits to Rebuild Yourself and Boost Your Energy
Now, before we get into the four habits, let’s talk a little bit about habits in general. A habit is not something you try once and expect immediate results. It’s also not something you do twice or even three times and expect results.
Habits take consistency, time and commitment to form and become integrated into your daily life. Some research suggests that it could take 25 to 30 days for a habit to form. But no matter what time frame is best, it is clear that you have to make a concerted effort to practice these habits in order for them to have the impact that you desire.
Incorporate physical activity into your daily routine.
While you probably know the benefits of exercise, making activity a regular part of your daily routine can be a challenge for many people, especially during quarantine. You’ve probably heard of people who join a gym and buy some fancy workout clothes, only to hit the gym full-steam and give it up after two weeks.
As we mentioned, habits take time and it’s not always easy. However, sticking to some amount of physical activity 5 to 7 days a week can create dramatic results. Energy levels can soar through the roof. Your ability to handle stress can improve significantly. You’ll be more awake during the day, and sleep better at night. Your skin glows.
The struggle to make physical activity a habit is very real for many people. Do not give up. Understand from the start that you are going to face obstacles and that you are going to want to avoid it. By knowing this from the beginning, you can put plans in place to help you overcome those roadblocks. Give yourself options.
If you have to work late so you can’t get to the gym, don’t beat yourself up about it. Instead, think about what you can do to get your heart pumping. Maybe that’s walking up and down your steps ten times or doing a quick lap around the block. Or maybe it’s hopping on YouTube and trying a fun new cardio yoga routine. It doesn’t really matter what you do as long as you keep your heart pumping.
Eat well.
The food that you put into your body has a significant impact on the way you look and feel. Putting chocolate syrup into the gas tank of your car and expecting it to drive well sounds pretty stupid. But for many of us, this is what we do every day. We eat junk foods that are processed or high in sugar and expect our bodies and minds to run like a well-oiled machines.
Make it a habit to take your nutrition seriously by being mindful about the foods you eat and the drinks you consume. Choose whole foods that are unprocessed such as whole grains, lean meats, leafy greens and fruits and vegetables. Drink plenty of water and avoid an excess of caffeine and alcohol.
Eating well is not an all or nothing endeavor. Once you create a habit of eating well, you can give yourself those little treats here and there. But because your body is no longer addicted to sugar, you’ll be able to enjoy these treats as one-offs and get back to feeding your body what it really needs.
Get some good sleep.
Sleep is a time for our bodies to renew and repair. People who have sleep issues may have difficulty focusing throughout the day, have short fuses and develop health problems. The benefits of sleeping well are well-documented. In addition to exercising and eating well, making good sleep a habit is vital to improving your energy and rebuilding yourself.
Create positive sleep routines, keep yourself on a sleep schedule and make sure that your sleep environment is set up for success. There are many tools available to help you sleep better at night. Consider a fan or white noise machine. Invest in blackout curtains or high quality sheets. Your sleep time should be sacred. It is worth making good sleep a habit.
Focus on organization.
What happens when you feel disorganized? For many people, being disorganized can result in time management issues and can even cause them to shut down completely. Our minds work so much better when there’s a sense of order and routine. You can help yourself develop a habit of organization by carving out time at the start of every week to plan your days.
While for some people, this may sound really confining, it does not have to be. By giving yourself the time to think about what the week has in store, you can be better prepared and make sure that you are accomplishing all that you’re setting out for yourself. By giving yourself this time, you’ll prevent the need to be reactive. Instead, you can be proactive which can give you more time and space.
