Only six months into a global pandemic and it feels like life before 2020 never existed. Just like any positive human, we try to find the silver lining, that light at the end of the tunnel however, it can be exhausting! Mental and physical exhaustion affects our productivity and creativity, and I just can’t see us surviving this year without either of those traits being nurtured. Creativity’s never been more important. It lights up our brains and helps us adapt to a rapidly changing environment.
At Streamtime we do our best to motivate one another and stay connected while working from home. We’re also incredibly lucky to be surrounded by such amazing and inspiring people that are only a Zoom call away! One of those people is Sean Hall. Founder and Chief Energiser of Energx, Sean works with Australian businesses and builds the skills of “energy intelligence” at an individual and collective level. He believes that the strongest asset of any organisation is the collective energy and creativity of its people. We couldn’t agree more!
I caught up with Sean at one of Streamtime’s weekly webinars as he shared some energy-boosting tips that anyone can implement to thrive in uncertain times. We also discussed his approach to nurture high-potential talent for employees and employers.
Check out some simple hacks to boost your energy that lead to higher efficiency and increase your hiring potential.
1. Focus only on what you can control
Easier said than done, but Sean is right. A global pandemic has led to us experiencing a level of uncertainty that no one could have ever imagined. However, there is a silver lining. If you’ve found yourself focusing on too many things at once, now’s the time to pay attention to only what’s important and allow more brain space for actual (raw) creativity. One of Streamtime’s most loyal of customers, Craig told me once to “enjoy the freefall!”. That’s what I’ve been doing and I couldn’t feel better. So, enjoy the uncertainty, focus on what’s important, and come for a ride with Craig and I!
2. Get more sleep
Healthy sleep has several benefits. One of those is an increase in energy. More energy – more creativity. As simple as that! Getting 7-9 hours of sleep per night is extremely important so pay more attention to your sleep regime. Are you still anxious when it comes to bedtime like I am? Try sleeping in a cooler bedroom. It helps your body cool down faster and reach a level of restorative and deep sleep.
3. Find your rhythm
Every human needs to establish their own rhythm. Rhythms evolve as the world unrolls. As we change so does the rhythm. However, it’s important to re-set ourselves to follow the rhythm that leads to a healthier and happier life. Whether it’s the morning routine or a night time run, listen to your body, and establish your flow. Right now, we might be in survival mode that is detrimental to our productivity and creativity. Let’s break this pattern and customise your rhythm to get the most out of your people.
4. Drink more (water)
85% of your brain is water. 70% of your body is water. Those are just facts! The conclusion is: drink more water and feed your brain and body with a much-needed fuel and energy provider.
5. Know what you’re grateful for
No matter how busy and unpredictable your day is, spend a minute thinking about the top three things that you’re grateful for. Maybe that’s your family, your new cat or an organised ToDo screen, make sure you acknowledge it. There’s nothing better than the warm, fuzzy feeling of love and appreciation for the simple things in life.
6. Breathe
Lastly, breathe. I practice yoga. There are several breathing techniques that can reduce stress, increase vitality, even fight any of the daily irritations of working from home with your partner!. I practice yoga a lot 😉 Maybe Headspace is not your cup of tea, that’s ok. But the 4-7-8 technique (I like doing it with my eyes closed) is a really simple method to relax and focus that’s worth a try:
- Exhale completely through your mouth
- Close your mouth and inhale quietly through your nose to a mental count of four.
- Hold your breath for a count of seven.
- Exhale completely through your mouth, making a whoosh sound to a count of eight.
This is one breath. Now inhale again and repeat the cycle three more times for a total of four breaths!
Those are the six tips on how to boost your energy during uncertain times. None of those tips takes a lot of time. They are also FREE! So, it shouldn’t be too hard to include a bit of self-care into your day-to-day.
Keen to learn more about energy? Below resources are free and available for you to share & watch on your own time. Namaste!
