6 ways to boost your energy

I wish I needed less rest. 

Chronic illness and fatigue throughout my teens and twenties means that I have trained myself to live my life managing my "clear space" so that my diary isn't too full, my plans aren't too hectic and I have down time scheduled in.  I remember a clear day at university when I was dodging some social gathering for fear of exhausting myself and getting ill, and I realised that management was the key. I could do the party, but maybe not ALL the parties!!

Over the last 27 years of managing this I have realised that there are some dominant things that I return to time and again to boost my energy.

1 - Sunshine - or failing that, fresh air and being outside. Getting a dog has been game changing for that. I always knew I loved the summer but I now also love a rainy, windy walk full of all the elements too!

2 - Any exercise, and for me, it's almost impossible to overdo it. Sounds crazy doesnt it, surely this exhausts me more…but I’ve realised there is a psychological element to fatigue, and actually being physically tired is emotionally energising! For me at least.

3 - Early nights and early mornings. I hate wasting the day and as much as I love getting into bed, I’m also keen to get up and on with the day. My favourite part of the day is the bit before the world wakes up - on holiday I love to be up and about with the cleaners and delivery guys, before the sun rises too high. The peace is unlike any other for energy - something to do with the blue morning light I suspect - give it a try. (THRIVE members, see more on this in the expert session with Mary Bloom about sleep in menopause)

4 - Me time - see above! I'm pretty sociable and I love people, but I also need space. Alone time. As much as I love people, being sociable is also quite depleting for me, so time alone is hugely important.

5 - People. Im a contradiction I know, but people are such a mood boost. Being amongst friends and human connection is just good for the soul.

6 - Prioritise sleep above all else...and this is not always easy I know with children and menopause to handle. But there are steps I take such as reducing caffeine after mid morning, reading before sleep and no phones in bed, to help my sleep to be quality even when it can't be quantity.

How about you, what are your energy boosting routines? 

If you’d like to try a session specifically designed for boosting energy and moving your body - even when you don’t want to, here is a great one

Read more about my experience of chronic fatigue here and if you'd like to join. us in THRIVE where there are expert sessions dedicated to energy in midlife, and movement sessions specifically tailored to boosting energy, you can do a 7 day trial here