What to Do When Life Is a Chore

There is nothing that will drain your energy like being bored all the time and having no enthusiasm for the things you do in your everyday life.

Many people who are chronically tired are actually in a rut, doing the same things every day and just going through the motions with no enthusiasm for life.

If this sounds like you, there are some things you can do about it:

1. Try Something That You’ve Never Tried Before

Do you think you love art but think you can’t draw or paint? Try taking an art class.

If you like music but have never even attempted to carry a tune, learn to sing.

Many times we surprise ourselves with our ability to do things we never thought we would or could do. That realization alone can give you more energy and enthusiasm for life.

2. Do Something Active

Physical activity is known to increase energy, so if you enjoy the outdoors, take up hiking or biking. If you are interested in spiritual matters, take a yoga or tai chi class.

You can even combine physical activity with a desire to help others or the environment.

For example, volunteer to help clean up a river, walk dogs at an animal shelter or work on a construction project to help build homes for low income people.

3. Go Back To Your Roots

You can probably remember something you used to enjoy but haven’t done in years. Did you collect trains, stamps or coins as a child? You can bring a whole new perspective to these hobbies as an adult.

Did you play little league baseball? Maybe now you would enjoy being a coach.

4. Ask A Friend Or Relative For Ideas

Sometimes we avoid the hobbies and interests of others because we consider it their domain. However, most people like to share what interests them.

Ask the artist in your family to give you painting lessons or join your mountain-climbing friend on his next excursion.

If you know a history buff or someone who is good at cooking or do-it-yourself projects, ask him or her to teach you something about their hobby.

Dealing With Boredom At Work

The trickiest type of boredom to beat may be boredom at work. That’s because most of spend so much time at our jobs.

If you find yourself bored with your work, this can not only affect the time you spend on the job, but it can also drain you of the energy or motivation to live fully when you are not at work.

After a mind-numbing day at a boring job, you may compound the problem by coming home and doing nothing in the mistaken belief that you are saving your energy to recover from a draining day at work and get through the next one.

The best thing to do if you are bored with your job is to try to find a job that you like better.

Of course, that’s not always easy and in the short term at least, you may need to find a way to make your job less of a drain on your energy.

1. Make Finding The Positive A Challenge

There is always something positive that can be taken from any experience. It is your choice to try to find what that is no matter what situation you’re in.

Find something new you can learn at work or just simply take on the challenge of staying positive. If that doesn’t work, do the job for the long-term benefits or for someone you love.

At the very least, a job is a paycheck that pays the bills and makes your life less stressful than it would be without one.

2. Stick With Upbeat People.

Seek out enthusiastic, upbeat colleagues and stay away from complainers. This is very important if you want to keep from burnout and boredom.

The energy of the people around you is contagious. If you don’t believe that, try to spend a day with the most positive and interesting people in your work environment. Then spend the next day with the complainers.

On which day do you have more energy? Sometimes just being around energetic people can increase your own energy and give you a new perspective on your situation.

3. Emphasize The Social Aspect Of Your Job.

While the tasks you perform at work may not be very exciting, you can develop positive relationships with the people.

If you work in any kind of customer service job, interacting with the people can be the focus of your workday. This can be very rewarding because you never know when a smile or friendly word can make someone’s day.

You can also develop positive relationships and even lasting close friendships with your co-workers. After all, you probably spend at least as much time with them as you do with members of your own family.

Going to lunch or taking coffee breaks with work friends can help to alleviate boredom and add some meaning to your day.

Just remember to build relationships with positive people and avoid those who complain about the boss or the job and drain your energy further.

Other Ways to Boost Energy

While boredom may not be the only reason for your chronic tiredness, it will certainly contribute to your lack of energy.

If you have other stressors or reasons for being tired, those things should also be addressed.

You can explore the issue further and find tips for beating many causes of tiredness in the “End Tiredness Program” ebook.

Herbal remedies have been used for thousands of years to help with a wide variety of ailments, including low energy.

If you’re tired all the time and can’t seem to find a solution, perhaps an herbal remedy will help boost your energy level.

If you want to try herbal remedies, be sure to use products from a reputable source.

It is also a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider before trying any of these remedies and stop taking them if you notice any side effects.

1. Cayenne

If you like hot spices on your food, season your dishes with cayenne pepper and you just might see your energy level improve. Cayenne is a member of the pepper family. It is a good source of antioxidants as well as B vitamins, calcium and potassium.

Cayenne is thought to help improve circulation and, as a result, help oxygen travel through the bloodstream more effectively.

This results is more energy. Cayenne is also said to help boost metabolism and it is thought to act as a catalyst that can increase the effectiveness of other herbs when it is added to an herbal formula.

2. Ginseng

If you search for herbs to boost energy, you will undoubtedly come across ginseng. This is an herb similar to ginger that is often used to relieve stress.

It is also believed to strengthen the immune system, freeing your body to use its energy for daily activities rather than to fight illness.

In Asia, ginseng is often used as a general tonic to strengthen the body. It is said to help prevent illness and it is even reported to have a positive effect on the treatment of low libido.

Ginseng comes in ground form which can be taken in a capsule or used to make a tea. It is very important to follow the directions on the product label when taking ginseng to boost energy. Too much of this herb can have a counterproductive effect by causing insomnia.

If you have any kind of medical condition, including low or high blood pressure, be sure to consult with your doctor before taking ginseng.

3. Ginkgo Biloba

Another well-known herb that can help boost energy is ginkgo biloba.

It’s most common use is to help people with memory by increasing the flow of blood to the brain, but the increase in blood flow can also help to boost energy and mood.

Ginkgo Biloba has antioxidant properties than can help the immune system function better, which may also result in more energy.

The leaf of the Ginkgo Biloba plant is usually dried and crushed into a power to use in capsule form.

Don’t use this herb if you are on blood thinners or are taking aspirin to thin your blood because this herb has blood-thinning properties of its own.

4. Licorice

Licorice has long been known for its effect on the adrenal glands, the glands that secrete hormones when you are under stress. Licorice stimulates the adrenals to produce more adrenaline, which will give you more energy.

In Chinese medicine, licorice is often recommended to combat chronic fatigue.

Licorice is available in many forms, including powders, pills, capsules and teas. Use caution when taking licorice and do not use it for long periods of time.

If you are in doubt about how to use this herb, consult a health care provider who is knowledgeable about nutrition and herbal remedies.

5. Green Tea

Green tea boosts energy in a few ways.

First, it contains caffeine, but not as much as you would get from a cup of coffee, so it will boost your energy without the crash of a highly caffeinated drink.

In addition, green tea is rich in antioxidants that can help boost the immune system.

The best and easiest way to use green tea is to make a cup of tea.

If you want the best tea, try organic loose-leaf tea. Green tea bags and green iced tea products are also widely available.

6. Astragalus

Astragalus or astragalus root is an herb that is used in traditional Chinese medicine to boost the immune system and enhance the body’s energy.

The herb is said to enhance strength and regulate metabolism.

Astragalus is available in powered form or as a tincture or tea.

Consult with a medical professional before using astragalus if you are taking antiviral medications because the herb can increase the effects of such drugs.

Astragalus should also not be used by people who are taking an immunosuppressant or those who are on blood thinners because astragulus can also thin the blood.

Other Ways To Increase Energy

In addition to herbal remedies, there are many other ways to increase energy. Diet, exercise and other lifestyle factors affect the amount of energy you feel each day.

Many more ideas on how to increase your energy can be found in the “End Tiredness Program” ebook.

Matt H wrote:

From reading all of these posts it really alarms me how many of us experience this. It seems like many of you are just like me. You have tried so many things and nothing has worked. It is rare that I will have days that I actually feel awake and I cherish those days. I often wonder if there is something biologically wrong with me. Or perhaps that I make myself anxious by constantly worrying about this….and that the anxiety actually makes me more fatigued. It really is hell to go through life like this. I hope we all figure it out.

Annabelle Parfait wrote:

I am a 14 year old female, and I hate getting up early in the mornings for school. Yes I realize everyone says this, but for me I feel it’s different because I’m starting to actually worry about how tired I am becoming. I have no energy for anything anymore. It’s scaring me help me!

Our Response:

It’s natural to worry about things that affect our health, but worrying about being tired will probably just make you more tired.

Many people, especially young people, find themselves worried about being tired. It’s normal to worry, but that will only make you feel worse.

Try to accept that many, many teens and young adults feel tired all the time. Of course, that doesn’t mean you should accept being tired. Just try not to worry about it.

There are things that can be done to increase your energy. It may seem like you’ve tried everything, but it is really a matter of experimenting until you find out what works for you. Everyone is different, so it’s not always easy to find what will work for you.

Learn all you can about natural ways to increase your energy level. Find things that you enjoy doing and, if you are really a worrier, find someone you can talk to.

This will help a lot, not only to increase your energy, but to keep your worries away. You can read the article about natural ways to increase energy for more ideas about this.

Yoga is an ancient system for creating harmony between body, mind and spirit.

It is an excellent way to deal with chronic tiredness, which is often a symptom of imbalance in at least one of these areas.

Yoga works to increase energy in a few ways. First, it helps to circulate energizing oxygen throughout the body by focusing on breathing properly and more deeply.

There are dozens of breathing techniques and exercises used in yoga, and many of them work directly to bring more energy to the body.

As you become a more seasoned yogi (practitioner of yoga), you will be in better overall shape, which will also give you a steadier and more lasting supply of energy.

Below is an overview of how to use yoga to increase your energy. If you are already familiar with the practice of yoga, you will probably recognize these exercises.

If you’re not familiar with the poses, or if you are new to yoga, you will want to find a teacher that can help you build a practice to improve your energy level. Most yoga teachers can tailor a practice to your individual needs.

Flow Yoga for Energy

One style of yoga, known as vinyasa, involves sequences of exercises that flow from one posture to the next. This helps build strength and stamina because it keeps your body moving and increases endorphins, the chemicals in the body that give you energy.

One example of a vinyasa sequence is sun salutation. There are different variations of this vinyasa, but in general it includes postures in which you will lift your arms, bend forward, do lunges and engage in plank pose, which is something like a push-up.

As you can see from the description how doing sets of sun salutations can boost your energy level

Poses That Build Strength

With a regular yoga practice, you will also improve your overall energy by building muscle. There are many yoga postures that are held for longer periods of time to build stamina and strength.

When you do these poses, you basically use your body’s own resistance as a tool for strength training.

Plank pose, downward-facing dog pose, warrior and chair pose can all be held for strength-building. If you really want to build strength and muscle, you can take “power yoga” classes such as Bikram and Asthanga, which emphasize the strength-building aspect of yoga.

Yogic Breathing

There are several kinds of breathing techniques in yoga that will increase the flow of oxygen through the bloodstream and leave you feeling more alert and energized. One way to use yogic breathing to increase energy is to practice “breath of fire” which is a rapid diaphragmatic breathing technique.

You can also use “alternate nostril breathing” to improve the flow of energy throughout your body. As the name suggests, this breathing exercise is done by closing off one nostril at a time while breathing in, then out through the other.

Mudras to Increase Energy

Mudras are gestures that are believed to create energy. The specific mudras described below are said to be very helpful if you want to regain lost energy. Practice these three times each day for fifteen minutes and see how your energy improves.

Dawn Mudra

For dawn mudra (which should be done first thing in the morning before you get out of bed), lie on your back and clasp your hands together with your right thumb over your left thumb. Raise your arms above your head and press your hands together.

Then bring your hands behind your head and take a few deep breaths with your elbows back against the bed. While you do this, open your eyes and mouth at the same time. This will give you a nice wave of energy for the beginning of your day.

Earth Mudra

Earth mudra can be done in a traditional cross-legged position. Rest your hands on your knees with your palms facing upward. Touch the tip of your thumbs to the base of your ring finger and stretch the other fingers out. Relax and breathe deeply while holding this mudra.

Sky Mudra

Sky mudra involves pressing all but your pointer fingers together. Your pointer fingers should extend straight out. Hug your upper arms into your body and extend your forearms up. Relax and breathe deeply.

Purifying Mudra

This one is similar to sky mudra, except that your pinkie finger should be the one extended on your right hand instead of your pointer finger. Yogis believe that this mudra has the power to detoxify and energize both the body and the mind.

Yoga is just one of the many techniques you can use successfully to increase your energy and stop feeling tired.

For more ideas of what you can do to end tiredness, read the entire “End Tiredness Program” ebook.

You’ve probably been in places that make you feel good. You’ve probably also been in places that are dreary and seem to drain your energy.

Whether intentional or not, the reason you feel different energy in different environments is described by the ancient Chinese art of feng shui.

What Is Feng Shui?

The idea behind using feng shui for energy is to design an environment that best allows for the circulation of “chi” or the vital energy considered to be the life force. The Chinese believe that if chi is circulating freely, your energy level will be high, but if chi is blocked, you will feel sluggish and tired.

Feng shui means “wind and water.” These two elements are vital to life and they are never at rest. Attention is given to other elements in feng shui as well. They are fire, earth, metal and wood.

Feng shui is the art of placing things in the environment that facilitate the life force. You can do this in your home or office.

A map known as a Bagua map can be used to determine where to place items in order to maximize the flow of energy. You can also design your environment with emphasis on certain areas of your life, such as health, relationships, prosperity, recognition, life path, work and others.

Items That Increase Energy

You can place certain items in your home according to the principals of feng shui in order to maximize energy.

For instance, wind chimes placed near the front door are said to increase harmony among the members of a family and they raise the energy within the home. Hanging bells on a door knob is said to do the same thing.

Aromatherapy candles are often used in feng shui to change the flow of energy. Depending on the aroma of the candle, energy can be calming or energizing. The candles can also provide a feeling of vitality or facilitate stress relief.

Feng Shui in Your Bedroom

Since you start your day in your bedroom, it makes sense that you would want that room to be a source of energy that will get you through your day. If you like your bedroom, you will naturally feel more energetic in that environment.

However, if your bedroom is cluttered or dull with paint peeling on the walls and tattered curtains on your windows, this will bring down your mood and energy level.

Tips for maximizing the energy level in your bedroom include keeping televisions, exercise equipment, computers and work materials out of that room. Your bedroom should be a place to rest and rejuvenate. Also make sure that there is fresh air circulating throughout the room. Open the windows when possible or use an air purifier.

In addition, have several levels of light available by putting lights on a dimmer or by using lamps with three-way light bulbs. As mentioned earlier, candles are also good feng shui. If you use candles, be sure to use nontoxic products such as soy candles.

Choose Energizing Colors

The “fire colors” red, orange, purple, pink and deep yellow are considered strong energy colors according to feng shui. Fire colors are good choices for an office or any area of the home where you want the energy level to be high.

If you often feel lethargic, you can try using browns and greens, which are considered to promote health and vitality. These are good color choices for the bedroom, family room or any other room that you spend a lot of time in.

Eliminate Clutter

It is not surprising that eliminating clutter is a principal of feng shui. It probably goes without saying that you will feel better and more energetic in an uncluttered home than you will if you are surrounded by lots of “stuff.”  In terms of feng shui, clutter reduces the flow of energy in a room.

More space means more energy. Of course, that doesn’t mean you want bare, empty rooms either. The idea is to decorate in a simple, uplifting way with as little clutter as possible.

Other Ways to Increase Energy

Feng shui is only one way to increase the energy within and around you.

The ebook “End Tiredness Program” provides many more suggestions for eliminating tiredness and increasing your energy level.

It goes without saying that food is the fuel that keeps your body running. If you are tired and run down all the time, you may not have enough fuel in your energy tank.

Not only do you need enough fuel, but you need the right kind of fuel if you want a steady supply of energy to keep you going and to ward of fatigue.

Glucose fills the Tank

Your body gets energy from a form of sugar known as glucose. Everything you eat eventually breaks down into glucose.

However, some foods provide energy faster and more efficiently than others. All foods are made of fats, proteins and carbohydrates.

Some, like fruits and vegetables, are almost all carbohydrate, while others, like meat, cheese and butter have almost no carbohydrates in them. Carbohydrates break down directly into glucose, so they are the best sources of energy.

This is not to say that fats and proteins play no role in providing you with energy. It’s just that carbohydrates do this more quickly.

Still, not all carbohydrates are great choices for energy. There both simple and complex carbohydrates.

While simple carbohydrates (candy, cookies, soda and other white sugar and white flour products) provide a quick boost of energy, the spike is short-lived and you will quickly feel tired again soon after eating them.

It is complex carbohydrates – vegetables, fruits and whole grain products – that provide the steadiest and most reliable source of energy.

Eating for Energy

The best foods you can eat for energy are high in complex carbohydrates while also having a moderate amount of protein and a bit of fat.

Most fat-free foods are simple carbohydrates, and these are the foods you want to avoid.

Protein is also an important nutrient when you are eating for energy because muscles are created from protein, and muscles, of course, make you stronger.

Examples of the kinds of high energy foods that you should emphasize when eating for energy include beans, oats, most vegetables and whole grain breads and cereals. You can also combine foods to create high energy meals.

For example, try

• peanut butter on whole grain bread
• rice and beans
• hummus on whole grain bread
• steamed vegetables with tofu, fish or lean meat served with brown rice

Vitamins and Minerals to keep you Going

There are also several vitamins and minerals to focus on when eating for energy. The top energy nutrients to consider are vitamin C, B complex vitamins and iron.

Vitamin C is crucial to energy production because it is involved in the creation of carnitine, a substance that helps you burn fat for energy. That means you can use fat for energy more efficiently when your vitamin C levels are not depleted.

Vitamin C-rich foods include citrus fruits, leafy greens, bell peppers, strawberries and cantaloupe.

B complex vitamins are often called the “energy vitamins” because they all play a role in processes that create energy in the body.

The vitamins of the B complex are: B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6, pantothenic acid, biotin, B12 and folate (also called folic acid). They are found in a wide variety of foods including beans and whole grains, animal products and vegetables.

Often people who suffer from chronic fatigue find that taking a B complex vitamin supplement can help boost energy levels.

Iron is important because it helps transport oxygen through the blood. Without enough oxygen, you will be exhausted. In fact, a common cause of chronic fatigue is iron deficiency anemia.

Beans and legumes, spinach and meat are good sources of iron that should be included in your daily diet if you are tired all the time.

Keeping the Energy Flowing

Another strategy when you are eating for energy is to eat every few hours. Instead of three full meals, try grazing – the practice of eating five or six mini-meals, one every few hours.

Or you can eat three moderate meals and have a small mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack in between if that works better for you.

The strategy of eating throughout the day will keep your blood sugar and your energy level steady. Even if you stick to the traditional three meals per day, never skip meals, and especially do not skip breakfast!

Many people skip meals, especially if they are trying to lose weight. This strategy will backfire in the long run because it will cause your body to go into “starvation mode” thinking that there is not enough food available. As a result, you will feel exhausted!

Is your energy being zapped from you each day? Millions of people suffer from a lack of energy for a variety of reasons.

There is no one “magic bullet” such as an energy drink or supplement that will truly fix the problem.

Here are some reasons, some surprising, why you may have daily energy drain and some simple strategies on how to get more energy.

Learn To Say “No”

Are you a pleaser? Do you spend time and energy you do not have trying to make others happy? Do you often volunteer for tasks that do not directly impact your life or job?

If you answered yes to these questions it is no doubt that you have an energy deficit. It is very nice that you are so willing to help others, but it does have a toll.

If you spend most of your time trying to please others and have no time for yourself, you will find that you have an energy deficit. Instead of saying “yes” to every favor requested of you, try to say “no” every now and then.

After you say “no”, try to schedule time for yourself throughout the week. The time you spend doing something for your well being will have great benefits.

In fact, it will help refresh you so that you are more productive when you do say “yes”.

Fall Asleep Faster

The National Commission on Sleep Disorders Research suggests that U.S. companies lose $150 billion a year in productivity alone due to employee fatigue.

Quality sleep may be more important than quantity. The average American today gets an average of 6.5 hours of sleep compared to nine plus hours of those in the early 1900’s.

This correlates to the invention of technology like the internet and television which keeps people up later. Staying up later and the inability to fall asleep quickly wastes already too short sleeping time. Therefore, it is important to take steps to fall asleep faster.

The following are four of the tips the American Board of Sleep Medicine recommends for falling asleep faster in order to make the most of your rest:

1) Avoid watching television, eating, or discussing emotional issues in the bedroom. The bed should be used for sleep and intimate time only.

2) If you read a book at bedtime to relax, make sure that it is not too stimulating. Adventures, thrillers, mysteries, even non-fictional books on topics important to you will tend to keep your mind active long after you have stopped reading.

3) Try to minimize light in the bedroom. No matter how early it is, once the sun comes up you will become subconsciously aware that it is morning and be prone to wakefulness.

4) Keep your pets on the floor, not in your bed. If they often make noises during the night, move them to another room.

Get Organized To Minimize Distractions

If you come home each day to a cluttered home, especially bedroom, this can have a surprising effect on your psyche and zap your energy. Clutter makes “to-do” lists harder to accomplish.

Spending unnecessary time searching for items and having to continually relocate items just for space adds stress and contributes to a lack of energy.

Looking at the problem may give you a sense of hopelessness that you will never become organized. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, make a point to set aside time to confront the problem.

There are countless resources available to give you tips on organization and many home improvement stores have all of the equipment and guidance you may need.

It will take some of your energy at the time, but the sense of accomplishment after completing the task will reduce your stress and help you better relax.

Eat The Right Foods More Often

Are you eating often enough? Revving up your metabolism with frequent, small meals during the day will keep your energy levels higher. Large gaps of time without food makes your metabolism dip low making your body conserve energy.

This can make you feel lethargic. Nutritionists recommend having smaller meals or snacks every 2 to 3 hours.

Also make sure that those small meals are all apart of a balanced diet that meets your vitamin and mineral needs. Magnesium is one mineral that is important for energy, according to a New York University nutritional study on how to get more energy.

The study revealed that magnesium is needed for over 300 functions in the body, including converting food into energy.

If you do not have the right vitamins and minerals in your system, your energy will plummet.

If you have ever been to the Mediterranean then you know how animated and energized the people in this area are. Scientists now believe that their diet plays a big role in their energy levels and youthfulness.

This is the basis of the popular Mediterranean diet which centers on foods that are vitamin and mineral rich, but also composed of complex, quality carbohydrates.

These foods include nuts, whole grains and bran, fish, fresh vegetables, berries, and lean meats.

If You Need Additional Help

Where is your energy deficit? Take an assessment of your status and it should be easy to see. Sleep better, eat better, get organized, and take some time for yourself.

If those things fail, it may be time to step your efforts up a notch by following an expert anti-fatigue plan.

End Tiredness Program is a fantastic e-book that can help you address the simple and complex issues that may be causing your lack of energy. It is essentially a comprehensive guide showing how to get more energy.

It addresses the many different aspects of sleep, including how to get more sleep and how to get quality sleep. Furthermore, it addresses other issues related to your tiredness such as diet, exercise, substance use, and others.

It gives you detailed instructions about changes you can make that will help you eliminate your energy deficit. The End Tiredness Program is the careful and expert help you need to get more energy, stay focused, be more successful, and enjoy life more abundantly.