Re-Charge!

Re-Charge!

No matter how positive your frame of mind is, there may be times when you feel negative and drained of energy, especially when dealing with stress – from the pressures of work to a misunderstanding with a loved one.

• Take a break. Just leave the cause of your stress for a few minutes. This tip is applicable particularly when you are overwhelmed and feel many things going on around you. Close your eyes, relax, and take deep breaths. You can also recite an affirmation to yourself. This short break can give you a new perspective on the issue – or issues – at hand when you come back.

• Meditate. Close your eyes, breathe deeply and imagine any of these situations or any image that you feel can relax you. You can make variations as you see fit:

- A great shower of light is bathing you and wrapping all around you. This light not only envelops you but fills your being to the core.

- You are a feather floating in the air. You become lighter and lighter as you glide downward. You finally touch the ground, softly and gently. As you lie there, all negative feelings and heaviness have left your body. You are almost weightless.

- All bad feelings are released from your body like the air you exhale. As you breathe slowly and deeply, imagine that each time you exhale, you are releasing all negative thoughts.

A relaxing piece of music can help in your meditation. Also, listening to the music alone and letting it wash away your worries and concerns can also work, even without images.

• Draw energy from nature. You need not go to the beach or the mountains – you can draw energy from focusing on the beauty of a simple flower or tree. Take note of the object’s every detail – from the shape, the color, the way the light plays on its surface and others. Drink in its “essence” and imagine this “essence” filling you.

• Ask for energy from others. People who support you are a very powerful source of energy. Their help is especially valuable when you are having a hard time replenishing your energy on your own. When you are feeling tired or depressed, you can ask people close to you to send you energy. You can make your request direct, like “I’m feeling _____ now because of ________. Can you send me energy?” Or if you feel tired giving the details, you can just say how you feel and that you need energy.

If these people are near you, ask for a hug! Or several hugs, depending on how many you need to feel better.

The more energy you need, the more people you may need to ask.

• Give energy to others. You may think that at your current state you no longer have energy to give. Sometimes, though, when you give the little energy you have left, you actually receive more. For example, when a friend confides and asks support from you about a problem, you may forget your own worries at the moment and focus sending energy to him/her. Your sending of energy to your friend actually gives you energy.