Whenever I ask people how they are feeling, about 90% of the time the response I get is, “I’m tired.”
Are you tired of being tired?
Everyone feels tired at some point in their lives — whether it's due to a late night out, taking care of a newborn, or putting in some extra hours at work. These are valid and clear reasons to feel tired. But what about the rest of the time? If you’re tired of being tired, it’s time to tighten up those leaks so you’re not leaking energy, and have a lot more energy to invest in yourself.
Let’s break down the obvious causes of feeling low on energy first.
A lack of sleep may be an obvious reason for feeling tired, yet many adults are consistently not getting enough of it. Getting under the recommended hours of sleep (7 hours) each night is not only associated with fatigue, impaired performance and a greater risk of accidents but it also has adverse health outcomes.
My bedtime routine includes, phasing out artificial lighting at least an hour before my bed time and that means NO TV, tablet, computer or phone. The light these devices emit can really wreck havoc on your melatonin production and mess up your natural rhythm. Better to replace electronics with a relaxing bath, gentle yoga, meditation, and/or sex. TV’s should have no place in the bedroom.
Limit the caffeine. I love me a good cup of coffee but I make sure to limit my caffeine consumption by the afternoon since my body needs the time to rid itself of caffeine’s stimulating effects. Same thing with alcohol – which can lead to fragmented sleep.
Exercise. Make sure to move around each day. When you exercise in the morning you’ll feel more energy all day long! Making exercise part of your regular routine can contribute to healthier, more restful sleep and may help improve sleep issues such as insomnia.
If lifestyle changes do not improve your sleep, there may be an underlying medical issue; it is worth seeing a medical professional to find out the cause of fatigue.
Now that we’ve explored the physical manifestations of being tired, let’s go a layer deeper.
IT’S TIME TO CALL THE ENERGY PLUMBER BECAUSE WE UNKNOWINGLY LEAK ENERGY EVERY DAY IN LESS OBVIOUS WAYS.
It’s amazing how people pride themselves with being so “busy”. The most common energy leak in society today is overdoing and having too much on our plates, leaving little time for relaxation and play. These are not only necessary for health; they create a body-mind container to hold our vital energy. By contrast, an exhausted body-mind is riddled with 'holes' like Swiss cheese, allowing the energy to drain away. Your conditioned mind might be convinced that you can't afford to do less; but really, you can't afford not to.
The second energy leak is of course intimately related to the first. When we're overdoing, we develop dis-ease quite easily. When illness has set in, it draws our attention and leaks our Ki (vitality or life-force). Your body is an intelligent being. Often (not always), illness or dis-ease is a warning sign that your higher self is trying to tell you something.
What stories do you buy into? It is very common to create an energy leak as soon as you lose contact with your essence-nature and are pulled away from your true self by manufactured dramas and false story-lines that cause unnecessary emotional reactivity. When you pause and allow yourself to just sit with your feelings, neither owning nor disowning them, but just being with them as a form of pure energy- that's the opposite of emotional reactivity. Just be with awareness and present as each situation unfolds before you.
We also lose precious energy by spending our time dwelling upon the past or anticipating some future event. The moment we go backwards or forwards in our minds, we immediately disconnect from the present moment and all that is available to us in the Now. Stay in the present, there is no better place to be. You can never have the same moment twice.
WHERE YOUR MIND GOES, YOUR ENERGY FOLLOWS SO ONLY SEND IT WHERE YOU WANT IT TO GROW IN YOUR LIFE.
Another energy vampire are boundaries, or lack thereof. Communicating what you want and what you're okay with, is crucial to create the firm foundation for relationships that aren't energy leaks. Always ask yourself, “is this a responsible use of my energy?” Make this a filter for yourself because people are always going to want something from you. If you find that a relationship is still leaving you feeling drained, sometimes the only solution is to let go and walk away.
You are the CEO of your life - own that title and notice how your energy changes!
If you still feel stuck, you can always call the “energy plumber” aka me, to help patch up those leaks.
Dorothy Knight is a Reiki Master Teacher, Yoga Instructor and wholehearted writer. She currently practices and teaches Reiki in Mississauga. She is a certified Reiki Master in the Usui Method of Natural Healing. Her passion is to empower people to reach their greatest potential of health and wellness through Reiki healing methods. Healing starts from within.
You can reach Dorothy at dorothyknightreiki.ca
You can follow Dorothy on Instagram @dorothy_knight_reiki
You are ALWAYS interacting with your environment whether you know it, or not. And even small changes to how things look and are placed around you can have a massive impact.
What's going on in your home, is going on in your life.
If this causes you to cringe, not to worry. Let's look at a few simple Feng Shui secrets that every Soul Sista needs to know to raise the vibe in your home and in your life so you can avoid these bad Feng Shui cuprits for good!
Dirty windows? Hey Soul Sista, that's bad Feng Shui!
They say that your eyes are the window to your soul. So it makes sense that the windows of your home are the eyes to the soul of your home.
If you want a clear view of your life, create a clear view through your windows...and while you're at it, open up the windows to let the fresh energy flow in!
This puts a whole new perspective on cleaning your windows doesn't it? If you've got dirty windows, clean them and create a clear view so you know where you are heading.
Burnt out light bulbs? Hey Soul Sista, that's bad Feng Shui!
Sometimes having burnt out light bulbs sneaks up on you and before you know it, you find them everywhere! Raise the energy in your home right away by replacing them. And to save you precious time in the future, replace them with energy saving LED lights and you may never have to change them again in this lifetime - talk about "energy savings"!
If you've got a burnt out light bulb, change it and let more light into your life today.
Potpourri or dead plants in your home? Hey Soul Sista, that's bad Feng Shui!
Take stock of your plants inside and outside your home. Are any sick, dying or dead? If so, give the ones that have a half a chance some TLC, otherwise, remove the dead plants or flowers from your home. This includes potpourri; not only is it dead chi, its also a huge dust collector. With fall around the corner, be sure to rake off all the dead leaves in the yard as well.
By removing this dead chi or energy, you will avoid being dragged down by it. Instead, replace these plants with healthy and vibrant alternatives and watch your energy soar!
Lacklustre front entrance to your home? Hey Soul Sista, that's bad Feng Shui!
Your front door represents the mouth of your home and is where energy enters and exits your house. Freshen it up with a good wipe down. It's also a reflection of you and who you are to the world to the visitors who approach your home. What do you want your front entrance to say about you?
Make your front door area welcoming and visually appealing. Add lights, a wind chime, potted plants, statues, a beautiful mat; anything that says "you are welcome here" and let the energy pour in!
Hey Soul Sista, that's GOOD Feng Shui!
Leigh Ann makes her home with her family in the Canadian Rocky Mountains where they enjoy a life of balance, simplicity and adventure. Best known as a Certified Feng Shui Practitioner & Abundance Coach, Leigh Ann helps women declutter their life on a physical, mental and spiritual level so they can live a life they love!
Download the FREE Boost Your Energy Now Toolkit to enjoy 10 ways to create "less busy" and "more calm" in your day.
Whether you're young or old, or have children or not, September feels like the start of a "new year." There is an immediate shift in gears with planning and organizing during the initial flurry of activity that the start of Fall brings.
As nature begins to spiral inward, there is an opportunity for us to do the same. So if it's "back to school," "back to you," "back to routine," or "back to basics," whatever you decide to call it, take some time to reflect on how you would like your Fall season to unfold.
Gone are the unstructured and spontaneous days of Summer in exchange for more rhythm and routine of Fall. Just like a breath, Summer represents the "breath out" and Fall represents the "breath in."
So in the spirit of "breathing in," enjoy my favourite nourishing practices as you switch gears this Fall.
#1 Journal
Take a few moments to record your reflections. As the trees change colour and shed their leaves, ask yourself, "what am I letting go of this fall?" and let the pen flow.
Steep a warm cup of tea, cozy up with a blanket, light a candle and read your favourite book. Dust off your crockpot and enjoy simple hearty meals.
#3 Practice your "no" muscle
As the opportunities come flooding in this time of year, learn to say "no." Resist the urge to over-schedule because of a fear of missing out (FOMO). Be deliberate in choosing activities that support you versus deplete you.
#4 Adopt the mantra, "Hmmm, that's interesting..."
Be the calm in the storm of activity that September brings. Observe what's happening around you and allow the mantra, "that's interesting" to be your go-to saying to keep you centered and out of reaction mode and drama.
#5 Unplug and recharge yourself in nature
Invite more clarity into your daily life by simply being in nature. Enjoy the breath-taking scenery as the leaves begin to change colour.
While this "new year" can be a crazy time, don't forget to immerse yourself in the beauty and simplicity that the Fall brings when you allow it. Use these timely energy tools to help you not only survive this transition but to thrive through it as well!
Welcome in Fall with open arms and let her beauty unfold before your very eyes...with grace AND ease.
Leigh Ann makes her home with her family in the Canadian Rocky Mountains where they enjoy a life of balance, simplicity and adventure. Best known as a Certified Feng Shui Practitioner & Abundance Coach, Leigh Ann helps women declutter their life on a physical, mental and spiritual level so they can live a life they love!
Download the FREE Boost Your Energy Now Toolkit to enjoy 10 ways to create "less busy" and "more calm" in your day.
