Manage Your Energy
Apr 14, 2022
As students hit the middle of the semester, many are exhausted. They've had a couple of papers due, a few mid-term exams and a couple of weekday football games. Sleep is in short supply. Focus is difficult. Friendships are suffering. Some may even wonder why they are here. In my work many years ago with the Human Performance Institute, a division of Johnson & Johnson, the coaches taught me to manage my energy in four different aspects of life: physical, emotional, mental, spiritual. Each deserves it's own post, but here's my overview for you, if you are trying to get through this middle part of the semester, or if you're trying to help you kid make it through.
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Physical Energy--Get Some Sleep!
In a recent class discussion of 100 mostly first and second year students, well over 90% indicated they are getting less than 8 hours sleep each day, while a good 50% revealed 4 hours or less. Our body needs more. The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) suggest young adults 18-25 years old need 7-9 hours each night. If you are under stress, you may need even more. NSF suggests making sleep a priority. Sleep when its dark out (i.e. eliminate long periods of sleep during the day. You will do better on your exam with proper sleep than if you student three more hours and fail to sleep enough. Listen to your body--your body will tell you when it's time to get some sleep. And, oh yea, use that Fall Break day to sleep until noon--catching up does count.
Emotional Energy--Take Time to Phone a Friend!
During high demand times at school, we tend to stop calling home or stop spending quality time with people who love us. A well-timed call of encouragement, connection and, yes, just loving, revitalizes us. use that walk to the library to speak to a sibling, phone a friend, or walk with a roommate and just connect about something fun in life. You'll immediately feel an energy boost, which might just get you through the evening of studying.
Mental Energy--Turn Off the Phone for Better Focus!
We think we can multi-task.But we can't. I know, I know--I'm old, and hanging onto old paradigms. Maybe old people can't multitask, but today's youth can. Well, recent research, by a Gen-Y neuropsychologist, confirms that humans are wired as monotaskers--our brain can only focus on one task at a time. So, tonight, when you sit down to study, turn off your phone, close your email. Just study. I find that even if I think I won't check my email, I do, as my mind wanders off the subject at hand. When you mind wanders, recognize it, name it, and then return to your work. Set a timer if you like for 90 minutes, then take a break, check your texts, walk around. Then refocus and get back to work.
Spiritual Energy--Remember Why You Are Here!
Spiritual energy is that energy we derive from outside of ourselves--from our purpose, from our mission, from our values, from a higher calling. What drives you? Why are you here in school, right now? Wait, hold on. That's a bit too heavy while I have organic chemistry to study for. You're right. Next week, when you have time to breathe, maybe you can think about those questions. Today, right now, just remember what got you in UVA, how hard you worked to be where you are today. Those same values will get you through tonight's marathon study session and tomorrow's test. Recalling those values is a form of a pep talk. You'll feel the energy surge as you recall your own strengths and experiences that have led to your success to date.
Good luck--you know you can do it.
