Do you find yourself completely exhausted by 2pm in the afternoon? Perhaps you are having trouble sleeping or worse yet, finally fall into a deep sleep only to hear the alarm clock go off only minutes after you doze off. Are you lacking energy and losing focus?
Sounds like you may be running on empty! Can you imagine running your vehicle as hard as you run your body and your mind? Just as your vehicle requires maintenance care, frequent tune-ups and fuel – your body and most importantly your mind requires the same. It actually may be time to re-evaluate your life.
If you find yourself running on empty perhaps it’s time to explore the reasons why. With some simple self-exploration you can pinpoint the areas of your life that require change. It may require you to leave your comfort zone, but in the end you’ll likely find that it was all worth it! Start with some questions that only you can truly answer…
Who are you surrounding yourself with?
If you are around people who are negative or un-supportive it may be time to re-evaluate your life. It’s not easy to separate yourself from unsupportive or negative people when those are people that you love such as your family. Consider asking why they are negative or unsupportive. Perhaps they are unaware of your feelings. If this is the fact, then you may have to take the needed steps to help them understand. It situations as these – communication is a MUST!
- Look for Role Models. Find someone who has been through your situation or something similar and see how he or she was able to overcome obstacles. If possible, ask this person questions.
What are you thinking?
Keeping a positive mental attitude is essential to your overall well being. Sure, sounds easy enough but it’s truly not. You must actually work at staying positive. In today’s society you are bombarded with bad news everywhere you look. With the advancement of technology it may be difficult to disconnect but it may be necessary.
- Avoid negative or drama-filled programs and limit your viewing of the national or local news to one time a day.
- Change your thinking. Your actions first start as thoughts. When you think positive and brave thoughts, you’ll be motivated into action!
Are you afraid?
Fear is one of the biggest culprits to running on empty! It’s truly amazing how fear can ruin your life if you allow it. As difficult as it may be you will have to face those fears and make some big changes in your life. Everyone is afraid of change especially when you have become comfortable in the situation. However, if you are running on empty you may not have any other choice. You will have to cross the threshold that is keeping you back and find that it is truly worth the challenge.
- Crossing the threshold that is keeping back from succeeding is the first step to changing your life!
Changing the way in which you view life can make a HUGE difference.
Focus on the positive blessings in your life. Give thanks for all you have; and be generous to those who have nothing. Be more like the children! Those are very important words and are ones that many should truly put into place in their lives. If you were more like a child and looked at life with nothing but pure joy and a smile on your face you certainly would have a full tank!
This full tank will then allow you to live life to the fullest by enjoying every precious moment. That is what children do and if more adults would consider doing the same perhaps the ‘little’ things would not inflate into ‘huge’ things. Be more like the children and not only smile but laugh! Life is too short to be spent worrying over things that are out of your control.
Live for today and keep an eye on your tank..avoid running on empty and you will truly live a happier and healthier life!
Dr. Daisy Sutherland is the Founder/CEO of Dr. Mommy Online. She is a doctor, author, speaker, social media strategist, brand ambassador, wife & mom to 5 children. Dr. Mommy's mission is to ~ Help Busy Women and Men with her 'Get Real' approach to living a happier and healthier lifestyle. Don't forget to grab your FREE gift...7 Simple Ways to Stay Motivated
Great article that points out how we deplete our own energy bank by some of the choices we make! Thanks for the tips!
Great post Daisy
I find if I eat well that I don’t get that tired in the afternoon. Also, I work in 50 mins chunks and then take 30 mins play breaks 
I have a puppy…well she is almost a year but a big baby 
Great post and I totally agree with Denny – brilliant points out how we deplete our own energy bank by some of the choices we make! Thanks for sharing
This is an excellent article and something we all need to be reminded of from time time! Great info and insight on how to combat the energy draining monsters.
Great article, Dr. Daisy. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and insights about how the things that we choose can affect our daily lives.
thanks for the great article and reminder that if we take basic living too seriously, we can create stresses that deplete us! great job!
I’m going to the park with my 5 year olds this afternoon to run around. that should fill my tank.
thanks for a great article!
Great post, Daisy! Yes, I sometimes deplete my own energy bank….like last night…my PC had some on the fritz & had to buy a new one…stayed up till 3 in the morning catching up with things I had to do online. I felt like passing out but continued. Today, I am so tired!! LOL! Gotta go and refuel my tank!
Oh my Alexandra…please pace yourself…nothing is more important than your health:)
I am running on empty because I’m trying to do too many things at once. I need to plan time to do other things besides work. It’s rare that I do anything else.
Oh you MUST make time for YOU!! It’s essential..truly…how will you work competently if you are running on empty…its like driving your vehicle on fumes and expecting it to function properly..please take care of YOU!
Thank you for sharing this! Such a great read and great advice for me to take!
Great Tips Dr Mommy! So many times in the past I’ve found myself running on empty. I’ve learned to notice the clues and take action before things get out of control. However, once in a while they sneak it without notice! Thanks for the reminders.
LOVE the challenge to look at what is supporting or draining our energy…past nutrition or exercise to the SOURCE of what can have such a huge effect on our attitude! I am very careful about turning OFF electronics or background noise as much as possible…otherwise I’m almost subconsciously draining myself with the electronic buzzes, chirps or sounds. Great points here!
Great article! I enjoyed every word but I love your closing declaration: Live for today and keep an eye on your tank..avoid running on empty and you will truly live a happier and healthier life! Thank You!
I love this article. So often we think we have to keep going and that we don’t have any choice. Taking the time to consider the areas you bring up is a great way to fill up the tank! Thanks, Diana Fletcher
So glad you enjoyed this post…I hope it gave you some insight..Hugs!