Your energy level permeates many different aspects of your life including your mood, work performance, personal relationships and more. Manage your “energy account” by doing the things that add to it, and avoid the things in your life that draw on that account.
Plan ahead
- Plan your day with time to rest before and after activities.
- Plan work or activities for the times of day when you have the most energy.
- Spread out tasks like housework over a week or month.
- Ask family or friends to help you with things you find tiring or hard to do. For example, housework, shopping, cooking, child care, running errands, caring for your pets or plants.
- Arrange your home so that most activities can be done on one floor. Keep supplies and equipment within easy reach.
- Work part-time or flexible hours, if possible.
- Plan activities or outings where you can sit down to rest.
Prioritize
- Decide which activities are really important to you. Save your energy for things you enjoy most.
- Postpone less important activities or ask others to do them for you.
- Set realistic goals.
Pace
- Do one activity at a time, without rushing.
- Stop and rest before you get tired, even if it means stopping in the middle of a task.
- Rest between activities.
Position
- Sit to do things whenever possible.
- Use walking aids, such as handrails, grab bars, a cane or walker.
- Avoid heavy lifting.
