Are there days in which you find yourself dragging through the day and by the evening you are sitting on the couch, focusing on the television show ....

For many of us fatigue is a result of behavior and by making changes in our lifestyle we can raise our energy levels. Here are some suggestions offered by Dr. Ted Mitchell who compares our bodies to a race car (think about it):

PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR FUEL AND FLUIDS: You wouldn't pour crude oil into an Indy car and expect it to perform ..... WHY FILL YOUR TANK WITH GARBAGE FOODS and EXPECT GOOD ENERGY.

If you tend toward tiredness, you must STRICTLY LIMIT CAFFEINE AND ALCOHOL; they disrupt your sleep, and when you don't get the restful sleep your body requires, you lose the energy you need to tackle the day.

Keep track of over-the-counter medications (such as cold remedies, which contain drowsy antihistamines) and/or prescription medication. Discuss this information with your physician as to whether a particular medication CAN AFFECT YOUR ENERGY.

DON'T OVERTAX YOUR SYSTEM Race cars are not required to perform at HIGH INTENSITY EVERY TIME. Your body IS NO DIFFERENT.

Don't expect to work at a stressful job (whether at the office, on the road as a business traveler or at home with the children) for long hours and still be energetic. YOU SHOULD PLACE REASONABLE EXPECTATIONS ON YOURSELF FOR THE DAY'S CHORES

You cannot overstress the system physically and expect to do well BEING OVERWEIGHT IS THE SAME AS DISREGARDING THE WEIGHT CAPACITY OF A VEHICLE. It overworks the engine and wears out moving parts. DON'T ASK YOUR BODY TO CARRY MORE THAN IT IS MADE FOR

FINE TUNE YOUR ENGINE For optimal performance give your body regular tuneups. A ROUTINE OF EXERCISE MOST DAYS OF THE WEEK, LASTING A MINIMUM OF 30 MINUTES AT AN INTENSITY LEVEL YOU CONSIDER MODERATE ..... IS THE WAY TO GO

Get adequate sleep (a minimum of 7 ..... but preferably 8 hours a night.)

Spend time doing RELAXING THINGSto calm the spirit. It is like giving a race car a well-deserved wash and wax SOOTHING ACTIVITIES ALLOW YOU TO PAMPER YOURSELF AND REMOVE THE STRESS

Here are some things TO DO:
CREATIVE: Make something, build something, paint, write, or garden.
QUIET: Listen to music, meditate, pray, reflect or take a long hot bath.
GOING: Go out with family and friends.
HELP: Examine the causes of your stress; and discuss with others to seek advice.


Here are some things NOT TO DO:
NEGATIVE: Criticizing yourself or others IS DRAINING.
AGGRESSIVE: Hitting things and driving at excessive speeds are destructive.
ISOLATED: Your family and friends want to help.
SELF-ABUSIVE: If you overeat, drink too much alcohol or use tobacco or drugs YOU PENALIZE YOURSELF.


(This information was taken from an article from my Sunday Newspaper ..... December, 2002)

for posting that! Very informative! :)

Jo Ann in TEXAS:D