Unless you’re a healthy toddler, a spinning instructor, or Leslie Knope, staying energetic from morning until night probably seems just about as realistic to you as scoring a date with Tom Hiddleston. Here’s the thing, though: if you adopt even a few of the daily habits of super energetic people, then it stands to reason that you’ll find it a whole lot easier to stay pumped about being alive. And that might have its perks.
Of course, I’m not saying that incorporating the habits of energetic people into your daily routine will magically keep you from ever feeling tired or bummed out again, because that’s just not realistic. I’m also not suggesting that changing your lifestyle will be easy. Although the things energetic people do on a daily basis may not be exceptionally difficult, people who manage to keep their energy levels consistently high still have to work really hard to make good choices every single day.
Unfortunately, skipping your workout will never stop being easier than forcing yourself to go exercise. Staying up late with your friends will always seem more fun than going to bed at a decent time, pizza will forever be tastier than kale, and reading is harder than watching TV. That said, developing energy-boosting habits is totally possible if you’re committed to feeling better.
Here are nine things energetic people do every day that you might want to start doing, too.
1. They Get Enough Sleep
This may be the most obvious sentence ever written, but if you want to become a more energetic person, then you need to make getting enough sleep a top priority in your everyday life. That said, getting "enough" sleep doesn't necessarily mean you need to get more sleep, either — because too much sleep can leave you feeling just as bad as too little. The National Sleep Foundation suggests aiming for between seven and nine hours per night, but if you feel good after just six, that's probably fine. Just figure out how many hours of sleep is ideal for your health and productivity, and then try to stick to that number.
2. They Exercise Daily
Hitting the gym may be the very last thing you feel like doing when your energy is low, but it's one of the best things you can do to protect your health and boost your energy level. Between all the endorphins it releases, the positive effects it has on our circulation, and the self-esteem boost it can provide, exercising may be one of the most effective ways to fight fatigue. High-energy folks know this, which is why they make exercise a daily habit.
So if you're looking to become a more energetic person, it's time to find an exercise regimen you can stick to. Personally, I would recommend walking outdoors every day, because the mental and physical health benefits of walking are compelling, and it's easy to do every day.
3. They Hang Out With Positive People
Excluding negative people from your life might sound a bit rough, (especially if some of your loved ones tend to be killjoys) but if you want to join the ranks of The Annoyingly Energetic, then you're going to have to start being pickier about who you spend your time with. Chronic pessimists are basically just energy vampires — and good vibes can be difficult to come by these days, much less hold onto. As Psychology Today put it, "In the times we live in, energy, especially the positive kind, is a precious commodity. It's not something you should willingly give up to the negative power of those who would steal your energy. Instead, keep a positive attitude and surround yourself with positive people who leave you feeling upbeat and energized."
4. They Eat Healthy
I think we all know that eating well makes you feel better than sticking to a diet of deliciously greasy takeout. Super energetic people actually put this knowledge to good use on a daily basis, though — whereas people like me have more of an on-again-off-again relationship with healthy eating. (Today I had Taco Bell for breakfast, last week I drank kale juice every day. So, yeah.)
Of course, eating well doesn't mean you never splurge. It does, however, mean you should be mindful of your portion sizes and avoid foods that will mess with your energy. As far as portion control goes, Lifehack suggests "maintaining proper portions of nutritious foods that correspond with your daily activity level." To know which foods to avoid if you want to stay energetic and positive all day, check this article out for starters.
5. They Stand Up Straight
Practicing good posture is kind of a big deal, and this isn't only true because your mom says so. In addition to causing some serious aches and pains, poor posture can deepen depression, increase your risk of developing certain diseases, constipate you, stress you out, cut off your circulation, and even mess with your career. (That last one has to do with how folks with poor posture are perceived.)
So, basically, you won't catch a super energetic person slouching around. If your posture could use as much work as mine, take a look at these tips for improving your posture.
6. They Act Energetic — Even When They're Not Really Feeling It
I'm sure you don't need me to tell you this, but when it comes to your mood, sometimes you really can "fake it 'til you make it." In fact, while it's not at all uncommon to allow a low mood to keep you from going out and accomplishing things, it really doesn't have to be that way — because the power of suggestion is a real thing. As Psychology Today explained, "We think we ACT because of the way we FEEL, but often we FEEL because of the way we ACT. Trick yourself into feeling energetic by moving more quickly, pacing while you talk on the phone, and putting more energy into your voice." Super energetic people do just that — infuriating as it might sometimes be.
7. They Don’t Overdo It On Coffee
If you're anything like me, then you probably rely on a Gilmore-sized cup of java to get you up and running in the mornings, and that's not a bad thing. In moderation, coffee can be really good for us. Overdoing it on coffee, however, can actually do more harm than good. Not only can excess caffeine contribute to anxiety, but if you're trying to replace sleep with caffeine, then you might find yourself feeling more fatigued after your caffeine buzz wears off. Plus, drinking coffee too late in the day can keep you up at night. None of these truths are lost on energetic people — so if you're trying to become more energetic in your daily life, follow their lead, and step away from that third cup.
8. They Do Work That Matters To Them
Not everyone has the luxury of working a job they love. In fact, here in the U.S., about 70 percent of workers have admitted to hating their job. All of that said, highly energetic people stay that way (at least in part) because they do work that's meaningful to them.
If that's not your situation right now, you should obviously do whatever you need to do to find a gig that you can feel excited about. But in the meantime, you might also want to consider volunteering at your local animal shelter or soup kitchen. You may not be getting paid for your services, but you'll probably feel really good about the work you're doing, and that feeling should help you stay energetic while you look for a better job. Plus, volunteering is just a nice thing to do, and more help is pretty much always needed.
9. They’re Always Learning
As Lifehack put it, "Energetic people are curious people, and they’re constantly on the lookout for new and interesting learning opportunities." So no matter how tempting it is to binge-watch Rick and Morty after a long day, it's worth your time to find a daily dose of educational entertainment that you can really get into. Whether that means watching Cosmos on Netflix, listening to Mignon Fogarty talk about the differences between "affect" and "effect" on her Grammar Girl podcast, or reading before bed, if you make an effort to learn something new each day, then you'll likely be living a more energetic life in no time.
Images: Kathrin Ziegler/DigitalVision/Getty Images, Giphy/(7)
