Feel Like You're Running On Empty?

On January first, I stepped down as volunteer Rescue Coordinator (RC) for a high-kill animal shelter to pursue other volunteer opportunities.  I trained my replacement and was actively supervising her during the transition.  Three weeks later, the new RC resigned with no notice, leaving me to pick up the pieces and go back to the 7-days-a-week grind and stress.  This past week it hit me how exhausted I’ve been lately, how truly burned out.  I’m suffering from emotional fatigue – running on empty. 

If you too are running on empty, please join me in a quest for emotional energy—an aliveness of the mind, a happiness of the heart, and a spirit filled with hope.  When your emotional energy level is high, you may be less likely to turn to food—something that won’t solve the problem—because you feel drained.  To increase your emotional energy, try some of the boosters described in Mira Kirshenbaum’s book The Emotional Energy Factor.  Here are a few boosters that I’ll be working on:

Do Less.  Instead of taking on too many projects, responsibilities, and social engagements, just say “No!”   Practice saying “No” at least once each week.  When you have limited time and emotional energy, do you really want to spend them doing something you really don’t want to do?  No!  See, that wasn’t so hard, was it? 

Try Something New.  Are you bored with the same old routine, day in, day out?  If so, it’s time to shake things up.  If you wouldn’t ordinarily do something, it’s new enough for you.  Sign up for a new fitness class.  Try a new exotic fruit.  Take a different route home from work.  Change your lipstick color.  Listen to a different radio station. 

Have More Fun.  When was the last time you played?  Laughed?  Had a date with your spouse?  If you can’t remember, you’re probably due for some fun.  Try being a little less serious—at work and at home.  “Lighten up” a little.  I try to get people laughing when I’m teaching my Stress Eating class.  Yes, this is a serious topic, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun and joke a little to ease the pressure.  What could you do to add more fun to your life?