Last week, we let our car fuel tank run down to a 17km!
This was totally unlike us, but it was a busy week and so we simply didn't clock the fact (if you'll excuse the very bad pun!).
It reminded us of the ongoing need amidst the day to day to keep checking our own personal energy levels to ensure they do not dip beyond a point of no return.
Without energy in the form of fuel, a car will not run or will break down; the same applies equally to people.
The best ways to do avoid this are as follows:-
● regularly review your Stress Management Index™ and if it dips, address the matter with some deserved self care and wellness steps - see our post entitled "Have an SMI™ (Stress Management Index™) to accompany your BMI" for an explanation as to how to measure your SMI regularly and our post entitled "Break Time Quickie - Keep Stressbusting™ Assets Visible" for easy ways of creating a positive relaxing environment around you
● learn to 'observe' how you are feeling and take restorative action as soon as you start to feel worn or exhausted - see our post entitled "Learn to "Observe" as opposed to merely "See" to Stressbust™ efficiently" for further detail of how to do this
● take regular recharge breaks or vacations, not based on whether you feel you "need" them at a given time, but because they are good for you - see, for example, our posts entitled ""Get Away from it All" to Stressbust™ For a Bit", "There is nothing at all wrong with a "Busman's Holiday" - and it is sure better than no holiday at all!" and "Keep an eye out for nearby Stressbusting™ Activities"
● have a balanced diet incorporating some of the StressBusting™ produce described by HeadChefSantiago™ in his post entitled "HeadChefSantiago™ on the best foods for reducing stress"
● aim to achieve or restore a separation and balance between your daily commitments and rest time - see, for example, our post entitled "Leave Your "Work Head" at Work to Stressbust™ at Home"
● ensure you get enough sleep if at all possible - see ""Zzzzzz" - The Most Important Stressbusting™ Letter in the Alphabet!" for the critical significance of this to wellness
● if able or only with medical clearance as required, set aside a little time to exercise, even if it is only light exercise - see, our posts entitled "The Value of Morning "Stretchbusting™"" "The StressBusting™ capacity of household chores" and "A Smart Watch is no substitute for a "Smart Approach"" for some ideas as to how this can be worked into even the most hectic of lives
● try to keep away from any recognisable stress triggers for a while. Life cannot be stress free but we can mitigate the stresses we have to endure by controlling our own immediate environment - see our post entitled "Learn to recognise your Kryptonite to Stressbust™ ahead" for further context
And bear in mind that (possibly like some cars) certain people's energy tanks may be shaped like "upside down triangles"; for example, it took a relatively long time for our fuel tank to dip from 100km to 50km last week, but the time period it took to reduce from 50km to 17km was super, super quick (and probably the reason we didn't notice).
In other words, identifying the warning signals of running out of energy early is key to removing the risk of burn out; otherwise, it can take you by surprise at a point when it's potentially too late to avoid exhaustion.
We deal with the more specific StressBusting™ importance of maintaining good energy levels in our post entitled "ENERGY: The Most Precious Stressbusting™ Commodity in Life", then expand on the issue in our post entitled "The importance of recharging to maintain optimum efficiency", for readers who may be interested in this pivotal StressBusting™ theme.
LargeLove,
LouLoU™&MikeyM™😊😍😎🧡💛💕 xxxx