3 Energy Practices to Help You Uplevel Your Life

Energy is the most powerful force in the universe. It can neither be created, nor destroyed.

We need energy to power our bodies and consciousness, to live in the world, to do anything that we will ever do as humans.

We can feel someone’s energy the moment we meet them. We can feel how their energy makes us feel in our bodies, and that helps us decide if this is a person we want to be around.

The energy coming out of you can be felt by others too-- it makes you, you.

Your energy powers your attention, and where you place your attention is what shapes your life.

Protecting your energy is an essential component of an expanded life. There are incredibly high levels of demands for our energy, and many of these are energy sucks-- your power is in discerning who and what gets your energy and attention.

These energy-protection and energy-hygiene practices will help you have better energy, as well as consciously decide where your energy goes... prepare for the compliments on your vibe!

1. BOUNDARIES

Set Boundaries with Yourself. If you know you feel better when you do certain things, make it a firm boundary with yourself that you do those things. Whether it’s your work in the world, a self-care practice, making time for relaxation, or forging a healthy habit, maintain your boundary and do the thing because you know it helps you feel good.

Be kind to yourself in this process, and always. You are lovable and worthy, even when you mess up.

Set boundaries with others, too. You can say no to things, you can communicate your needs and ask that your wishes be respected. If anyone takes offense to you protecting your energy, that’s reflective of their own issues, and has nothing to do with you. You are allowed to set healthy boundaries with the people in your life. If there’s an adjustment period, so be it. The people meant to be in your life won’t leave because you did what’s best for you.

You doing what’s best for you is automatically what’s best for everyone else. Even if others don’t see it at first, trust that this is true.

2. MEDITATION

You’ve probably heard this before-- meditation is good for you. You could benefit from meditation. I’m not trying to sound like a broken record, it’s just true. So I’m going to say it again, in case this is the push you need to start meditating.

Meditation is beneficial for your mind, body, and spirit.

Not sure how to meditate properly?

It can be as simple as closing your eyes in a comfortable seated or lying down position, then focusing on your breath by counting to 4 for each inhale, and 4 for each exhale. Set a timer for anywhere from 1 to 5 minutes for your first time. Try to consciously stay out of your brain. And when thoughts come up, know this is normal. Acknowledge the thought, then let it go and put your attention back on your breath. This is the practice.

This exercises the muscle that decides where you put your attention. And they say, “where attention goes, energy flows.”

Your attention is the director of your precious energy. That’s why training your attention through meditation is an essential energy protection practice.

3. UNPLUG

This one can be incredibly tough, but I know you can do it! Discovering to how sleep better, as well as restrict your availability to others, is hard. Especially at first.

We have these tempting little computers that fit in the palms of our hands that can tell us the answer to anything we ask, connect us to anyone in the world, let us play games, run businesses, meet our next partner, and show us whatever media we want.

They are incredible pieces of technology with many helpful and now-essential features. AND they can also lead to availability overload and overstimulation– not to mention the negative effects on your circadian rhythm and ability to get sleepy, which is a disruptive result of the blue light in the screens.

Limiting your availability and screen time is incredibly beneficial to your mental health, sleep, and thus, protects your energy.

It is not natural to be available to sooo many people-- family, friends, co-workers, bosses, employees, spam calls, etc.-- all the time!

It is perfectly acceptable and healthy to set time aside that you don’t respond to every text, call, or email (hello, boundaries!). If you absolutely need to, you can send something short, such as “Got your message, will respond tomorrow!”

If this is scary, please keep in mind: you don’t owe anyone your energy or attention. It's yours and no one else is entitled to it.

Better yet, let folks in your circle know that you are implementing a practice where you don’t look at your electronics after __(whatever time you choose)__, so they can expect a response from you by __(whatever time you choose)__ the next day.

Also try turning off your screens 1-2 hours before bed, to help yourself get nice and sleepy.

You deserve to have all your precious energy to do with what YOU please! YOU get to decide where your attention goes, and your energy subsequently flows.

Choose wisely, be kind to yourself in the process!

Implement 1, 2, or all 3 of these practices to help you on your journey to your best life! And remember that learning to enjoy the journey is what leads to living your best life now.