Healthy Computing Tip # 422: Manage Your Energy
Are you full of pep and energy, ready to do more? Or do you feel drained and exhausted? After giving at the office, is there nothing left to give at home? Do you feel as if you are on a treadmill that will never stop, that more things feel draining than energizing? Feeling chronically drained is often a precursor for illness and may contribute to errors; conversely, feeling energized enhances productivity and creativity and encourages health. Increase vitality and reduce discomfort when you manage your energy.
How to Manage Your Energy*:
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Monitor your energy drains and energy gains. For the next week keep a log of events, activities, thoughts, or emotions that increase or decrease energy. Make two lists: Energy Drains and Energy Gains.
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Identify common themes associated with energy drains and energy gains.
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Each day increase one behavior, interaction, task, or thought associated with energy gains. Decrease one associated with the energy drains.
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Continue every day to increase your energy gains and decrease your energy drains.
For a detailed a step-by-step guide to increasing energy gains and decreasing energy drains request a copy from healthco@sfsu.edu.
*Adapted from Peper, E., Gibney, K. H. & Holt, C. (2002). Make Health Happen: Training Yourself to Create Wellness. Dubuque, IA: Kendall-Hunt.
