Use the following tips as training tools.

Present this situation to your group and brainstorm solutions together, or submit your own situation question to be answered in an upcoming newsletter.

SITUATION QUESTION:

A client commented, "After all the holiday excitement, over indulging and high energy activities, it's back to work managing my staff as usual, and I'm feeling tired with low energy. The bad weather is not helping
either. How can we increase our energy to get more productive after all the excitement of the holidays?"

SOLUTIONS:

It is natural that you would feel tired and low energy after any big event or series of events like the holidays. After ruling out any medical reasons for your lack of energy, take a look at your life. To restore energy and feel more alive again, here are 5 tips.

1. Follow the light that is in short supply during winter months. Many people experience low energy when they are not exposed to enough sunlight each day. Make an effort to sit in the sunlight during your breaks and lunch period if you are inside all day. If it is dark before and after work, get outdoors more on the weekends.

Dr. Christiane Northrup says, "This condition is called SAD (seasonal affective disorder), and it can be relieved by maintaining a stable blood sugar level through a proper diet and by getting regular doses of
natural light. If you are unable to be outdoors regularly, install a full-spectrum light fixture to which you are exposed every day for two to four hours. Natural light increases the body's production of serotonin, one of the neurotransmitters that is essential for a healthy mood and good energy."

2. Feed your body right. To feel high energy instead of fatigue, we need our blood sugar level to be steady and not too high or low. Skipping breakfast or eating a high sugar pastry would cause your blood sugar level to plummet later. Eating too much sugar can cause binging later too. Eat healthy with a carb, protein and fat to start your day. This combination will allow your blood sugar to rise gradually and avoid a sudden drop of energy. Eat for energy, not strictly for pleasure.

3. Cut the pressure. What can you eliminate or delegate to others? What would bring you the most pleasure if you added it? Dr. Northrup said, "Feeling pleasure is the first step to restoring energy. A taxing
schedule takes a toll on your health." Learn to delegate and if necessary for your well being, lower some of your standards (especially if you have perfection thinking for yourself and others).

Remember, you are not the only one feeling low energy this time of the year.

4. Find the positive. Every thought we have produces biochemicals called neurotransmitters. With optimistic, loving, grateful thoughts, we produce feel-good endorphins. These same good-feeling chemicals are felt during meditation, exercise and love-making.

The reverse would be negative feelings of anger, fear or helplessness which increases your levels of stress hormones and contributes to fatigue and low energy. Find a way to rise above these negative feelings.

Healing a hurt, disappointment or loss can restore your energy as it is probably stealing energy from you. Let it go. If this seems difficult to do, you might talk to a therapist to help you accept the situation as past
history, and let go of it to allow for new beginnings. Then you can start feeling energetic again.

Look for ways to turn negative thinking into positive, and you will restore your energy. It can also lead the way to sensible work and home problem solving and solutions.

5. Get enough sleep. Lack of sleep will cause fatigue, depression, low energy and a number of other ailments. It is hard to get the eight to ten hours sleep that you need, but good sleep is a necessity to refresh your body and mind. Cut out stimulating TV programs, checking email or talking about problem areas for a half hour before your bedtime so you are relaxed and ready to recharge.

One or more of these tips could help you eliminate your fatigue and low energy. The tip I feel is most important is number 4, to become positive, regardless of your current situation.

Create an attitude of gratitude for who you are, the people in your life, your job and all the other riches you have acquired. Count your blessings for what you have or have had, and help others count theirs too. Change the way you think and live your life, and you will restore your energy for greater productivity.

JJ's FAVORITE QUOTES:

"It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it."
- Lena Horne

"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
- Winston Churchill

"Practice is the price of mastery. Whatever you practice over and over again becomes a new habit of thought and performance."
- Brian Tracy

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ABOUT JJ:

JJ Lauderbaugh, CMC
408 445-1590 or 800 500-9656, 1716 Husted Ave., San Jose, CA 95124.

JJ works with companies that want to give exceptional customer service to increase sales, and with Directors and Call Center/Help Desk Managers who want to improve human performance.

She's an international speaker, trainer, facilitator and certified management consultant (CMC) on customer service management, specializing in performance improvement, call centers, up/cross selling and outbound calling.

For training resources, free articles, tips and streaming video, go to our web site at:

http://www.JJLauderbaugh.com

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© JJ Lauderbaugh, CMC, JJ Lauderbaugh & Associates, 2007. Reprinted with permission from JJ's Tips, a monthly internet newsletter. For your own personal subscription, E-mail:

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JJ