Energy Management Over Time Management

Time is all that all living things have in this lifetime. A large concern is people feel as though they are not maximizing their time. It could mean a variety of things. 24 hours are given each day and it is spent working, bathing, eating, and sleeping for the most part. There is much a person would like to do with their time. However, time management is one piece of the puzzle where one can organize and prioritize their time on some activities. The most important element of this is energy. How someone manages their energy should be priority number 1. Without energy there is very little a person can do, so they need rest which requires time. 

Energy management will allow a person to be efficient and alert. People either would like to do a lot or they have a lot to do. Both time and energy are needed. 

The Source of Energy 

Fuel sources would be the consumables inputted into the body whether it’d be solids or liquids. However, it is best to consume edible items that are minimally processed and nutritional. Eating junk or refined foods can cause some issues moreover, it can cause energy depletion. Inflammation can cause some damage and with damage, it can lead to fatigue. 

When foods are eaten and processed it converts into sugar and broken down into smaller molecules. It is later stored in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for later use. ATP provides energy for many processes. 

If you would like to learn a little more check out How Breathing Provides Calmness and Energy!

Resting

Rest is essential for all living beings. It offers an effective method for recovery. Throughout the day the person is experiencing different forms of stimulation and it can get strenuous. Getting enough rest provides a better form of energy management. The amount of rest needed varies from each person. Periodically the body needs rest throughout the day.

The prescribed sleeping hours are 8 and a person is awake for 16 hours (that is if they do not take naps). The level of strain and diet are different for everyone. It is important to understand that a person can experience high levels of stress which can be detrimental. So, with much harm done to the body, it needs more time for rest to feel rejuvenated. It is vital to take periodic breaks to ensure optimal rest in a shorter time. 

Time Management

Time management is crucial when needing to complete daily tasks. The caveat with time is it is constant it continues to move forward. Regardless of what a person is doing, time continues to go. However, energy and organization should come first, so a person can better manage their time. Demands, deadlines, or other items in mind can cause some stress. The issue with tension leads to losing control. When losing control a person loses the luxury of managing their time and organizing themselves. With tension, people tend to lose energy as well. 

Practices to Incorporate

Practice makes someone better since actions lead to results. This does sound trite but it has always held true. While everyone is different and may have preferences it is important that one creates a system they can work with. A system in place will make practicing whats needed much more efficient. As previously stated the purpose is energy management and everyone’s day and level of stress taken will vary. Here are some practices a person can incorporate.

Intermittent Fasting

The concept of fasting is not consuming any calories for a certain timeframe of the day. The standard 16/8 is often taken into consideration which translates to not eating any calories for 16 hours and having an 8-hour feeding period. Breakfast is often skipped and the first meal of the day will be at lunchtime. Keep in mind this is not like dry fasting so the person is able to hydrate which is important. 

A person tends to have more mental focus and energy when there is no substance in the body. However, the amount of calories consumed matters in order to be consistent to do fasting daily. To ensure that this would be achievable consume enough calories daily according to the body’s needs (eating at calorie maintenance). Consume foods that are nutrient-rich containing enough protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates as this will be satiating. 

Movement

Being physical is a great way to keep the body alert. It signals the body and brain to remain awake. Laying down or sitting on a chair for some time can lead to feeling saturated and it is telling the body it is time to sleep. If working in a sedentary environment (in the office or at home) get up from the chair every 30 to 60 minutes and stretch (dynamic or static stretches) or do some low squats to get the blood flowing. 

Check out the post, Prolonged Sitting Makes You Tired to learn why prolonged sitting is not ideal. 

Chewing Solid Foods

Food is a fuel source but the importance of consuming quality foods matters for energy efficiency. While chewing is often encouraged as a way to improve digestion, the actual importance of this process lies in breaking down food into smaller pieces, making it easier for enzymes to access and digest nutrients. If the food is not broken down enough it may take longer to digest. Otherwise, the body will put in effort to break it down further in which case uses more energy. 

It is recommended to chew the foods until completely broken down into smaller pieces or mush. There is no single right number of how many times to chew. Many sources state people are encouraged to chew 32 times before swallowing their food.   

Eliminate Distractions

Distractions can come in different forms whether internal or external. There are numerous ways to get distracted. There can be visual or noisy distractions which can be highly stimulating. Examples can be television, social media, or noise from outside. Also, the tendency of rumination (internal) which are negative thoughts. To put it simply the individual needs calmness and energy for better focus. In short, make time for silence since that can optimize resting. Within that time of silence feel free to journal, practice breathing, or close the eyes.

Being overstimulated depletes a person’s energy overall. As a result, concentration and the desire to take on responsibilities become increasingly difficult. By minimizing distractions and cultivating calmness, regaining control to be productive makes for achieving better outcomes.

Conclusion

Energy management is far more important than time management. Energy is the source that helps the person to function efficiently. Without energy, a person is very limited to what they can do daily. It is important to get quality rest, manage stress, and eat healthily. All of this will help better manage an individual’s energy levels to move properly and concentrate on priorities. There are methods to do energy management like chewing food properly, avoiding overstimulation, fast, and being physically active. This allows someone to take control and organize themselves. Therefore resulting in better use of their time daily. 

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