Comments on: The energy equation

By: Ellie

Ellie — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 17:36:15 +0000

In reply to Laura Vanderkam. Thanks, it was! :)

By: Laura Vanderkam

Laura Vanderkam — Thu, 18 Oct 2018 20:34:36 +0000

In reply to Ellie. @Ellie- yay! I hope it is a fabulous weekend!

By: Ellie

Ellie — Thu, 18 Oct 2018 05:56:21 +0000

Such a timely post… when I read it, I was about to cancel a (kids-free) trip planned with my husband this weekend because I am feeling like I have reached the lowest of my lowest energy levels. And while I fully subscribe to your principle that doing something meaningful is a way more efficient way to recharge than doing nothing, the voices of my anticipating and present selves were too strong. Even fun stuff like looking for a nice place for brunch or Sunday or checking out possible exhibitions to visit seemed like chores to be done. But reading your post woke my remembering self up. I went through with the preps and I am sure that this weekend will be meaningful and that it will help me recharge to go through the next weeks. So thanks for the wake up call! 😉

By: Katie

Katie — Wed, 17 Oct 2018 10:37:54 +0000

Great post. I’ve learnt that lazy days at home are not good for me. Every day, I need to get out, especially long weekend days. I’ve never crystallised the thought that relaxing at home child-free and trying to relax at home with a child who isn’t going to let that happen are very different experiences! Great point!

By: Cb

Cb — Tue, 16 Oct 2018 10:35:15 +0000

We had a disappointing change of plans (we were supposed to see family and they couldn’t be bothered…) this weekend and think my husband would have used the terrible weather as a reason to stay at home and mope a bit. I cajoled him into braving the weather and we had a really special day – we went and ate pizza at a too cool for school pizzeria and then took our toddler to the imagination zone at the museum. I read somewhere that a change is often as good as a rest. And I’m convinced that fresh air is just as effective at clearing your head as caffeine is.

By: Maggie

Maggie — Tue, 16 Oct 2018 09:34:35 +0000

I think this extends to evening activities that involve television or internet. I feel more exhausted (and spiritually non-recharged or whatever you want to call it) when I mindlessly watch TV or scroll on my phone. If I convince myself to work on a project or just consciously get myself to do something (fun), I not only perceive time differently, I also feel more refreshed. But – still it’s hard to do, just like getting out to the zoo or a hike.

By: Kersti

Kersti — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 22:19:04 +0000

This may be a little different, but when I am really dragging I get a vitamin B injection. I have had sleep problems since about age 10, and often feel weak and sleepy. I also have trouble absorbing the vitamin. So I walk to the clinic near my office and get injected when I feel I need it. I highly recommend this over the cup of coffee—I get a mini break along with a boost of healthy energy.

By: Marthe

Marthe — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 18:22:15 +0000

This is such a good idea! I have experienced this as well but it had not established an easily reachable place in my prefrontal cortex yet. But we have a seasons family ticket to a nearby zoo similar to what you describe and it always makes for good and tiring (in a good way 🙂 for sleepy kids) outings.

By: BethC

BethC — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 17:52:05 +0000

This is so true, and I’m grateful that my husband is better at it than I am. Given a choice, I would spend most of the weekend at home recovering from a busy week. But yesterday, after a draining morning at the local children’s museum for a birthday party, my husband insisted that we go to a local park for a short hike. I grumbled, but when we hit the trail, the weather was perfect and the leaves had started to fall. I felt completely recharged when we were done. And after all that activity, the kids were in bed by 8 pm. Definitely a win.

By: Kristin

Kristin — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 16:57:03 +0000

I never thought about like this, but yes, sometimes doing nothing is WAY MORE exhausting than doing something! My MIL was regularly surprised at how much I did while on maternity leave with my second and aside from the fact I could actually participate in normal Mommy activities (story time! Moms group!) I figured if I was going to be tired and wandering in circles with a fussy baby, I might as well be out and about and make that something I could share with my older child or another adult or get something done like errands so I didn’t have to use my precious alone time. My older child was easily entertained on outings and we had some great bonding time and babywearing an infant at the park/grocery store doesn’t feel like nearly as much work as endless circles in the living room (when the couch you want to lie on is right there!) Of course you don’t always need to be “doing something” (in fact I just finished KJ’s book and she advocates for occasional “do nothing” time as a family) but when the do nothing is more exhausting than the doing, get out and do it!