iscover
Energy is crucial for working efficiently. Unfortunately, it’s very easy to be drained as a combination of life factors can leave us physically and emotionally exhausted.
Protecting and restoring our energy should be top of mind for those who want to thrive at work. The modern workplace is full of energy drainers, as economic instability, workforce troubles, and individual obligations all pull on employee’s wellbeing.
To assist in keeping employees engaged in monitoring their wellbeing, Women Rising released a four-step guide to building and maintaining positive energy levels at work.
1. Tune into what gives you energy
Identifying what helps you build energy is a great place to start. According to Women Rising, some of the questions you can ask yourself are:
- When do you feel the most energised?
- Are there particular places that give you a burst of energy?
- Are there certain people in your life who always make you feel good?
- Are there times of day when you notice you feel more vibrant?
- What are the activities or tasks that leave you feeling energised?
- When do you feel the most alive?
- Are there different types of music that give you energy?
2. Tune into what drains your energy
Conversely, it’s important to recognise what drains your energy. Again, asking yourself some of these questions can help to identify issues:
- What are the things that leave you feeling flat or tired?
- Are there particular places or certain people that drain your energy?
- Are there tasks or activities that leave you feeling empty?
- Are there moments in your day when you hit a wall?
Spotting triggers – whether good or bad – can help to keep you feeling invigorated.
3. Implement boundaries to protect your energy
Once energy drainers have been recognised, it’s important to build measures to reduce their effect. Whether that is adjusting work schedules, reducing meetings, or switching up sleep patterns, there are a variety of options that can assist in promoting energy.
4. Create your restoration toolkit
According to Women Rising: “The final step in the process is where you bring everything together and write it down so you have a helpful list of ideas that you can turn to whenever you need it. You might like to write ‘My Restoration Toolkit’ at the top of a page and simply list out all the different things you’ve come up with that give you energy, as well as any reminders to yourself of the boundaries you’re going to implement or the ways that you’ll manage the energy drains. Your list can be as long as you like, whatever works for you.”
Jack Campbell
Jack is the editor at HR Leader.
