After the holidays have come and gone and the New Year’s resolve has worn thin, it’s easy to find yourself in a slump. You feel lethargic, unmotivated, and in a rut.
Here are seven tips to help you restore your energy and zest for life:
1. Do something. Sometimes, the best remedy for pulling out of a slump is just to get up and do something. Set the timer for 10 minutes and go organize a drawer, or fold a load of laundry, or clean the kitchen.
Just getting up and getting busy will usually help you shake off some of the feelings of sluggishness. And many times, when the timer goes off after 10 minutes, you’ve forgotten how unmotivated you were and have fresh inspiration to tackle other projects.
2. Serve someone. I’ve found that going out of my way to bless someone else is one of the greatest antidotes to discouragement. Not only does it take my eyes off of me and my own situation, but it also gives me more purpose, fulfillment, and joy.
3. Get your heart pumping. If regular cardio is not a part of your schedule, that may be why you’re feeling exhausted and despondent. Hearty exercise produces endorphins that will not only improve your health, but also your overall mood and outlook on life.
4. Make sleep a priority. Getting less than seven hours of sleep on a consistent basis can impair your memory, alertness, quality of life, and cognitive abilities. Make it a priority to go to bed early and get deep, uninterrupted sleep and you’ll find that you have much more creativity and energy.
5. Develop a morning routine. I’ve been amazed at how much smoother my days go when I create and follow a morning routine. Right now, my morning routine consists of getting up early, reading my Bible, exercising, taking a shower, getting dressed, starting a load of laundry, and then doing my morning blogging/computer work.
When I get up and start my routine before my children wake up, it has a tremendous positive effect on the rest of our day. As an added benefit, on the days that I follow my morning routine, I get so much more done.
6. Clear your calendar. Sometimes, a lack of energy stems from overloading your plate and trying to do too much. It’s high time we stop feeling obligated to be everything to everyone. Determine your priorities, set limits, and freely say “no” if the opportunity or commitment is going to send your home or health into a tailspin.
7. Remember that “His grace is sufficient.” As the hymn writer so aptly said, we aren’t promised “flowery beds of ease.” Life is full of struggles and difficulties. There will be days when the pressures and stresses of being a parent or spouse or friend or employee will overwhelm you. But it is in our darkest hour that God’s grace and power can shine the brightest.
Constantly look to the Lord for help. Ask Him for strength and grace when you know you have nothing in and of yourself. He will never fail you or forsake you!
Copyright © 2012 by Crystal Paine. Used with permission.
