3 Myths that Rob your Energy Needlessly

A myth is a story that has long-held beliefs to be true but isn’t always based on fact. Myths can be legends, practices, and behaviors that people hold onto whether they are true, accurate, or helpful. We are all influenced by myths handed down from our culture, our community, and our families.

Much of what we do we simply do because it’s always been done.
 
Some myths serve us. They keep us from walking in the deep woods for fear of encountering Big Foot or swimming in deep waters where the Loch Ness monster resides. Fear can be a very good thing when it motivates you to safety. Some myths however, can rob us and keep us from having a better outcome or experience. Is it really necessary to wait half an hour after eating to swim?
 
When it comes to preserving our energy, there are myths that are actually stealing ways to generate more energy. Some of the notions people have to conserve energy are actually draining it altogether. Let’s take a look! 
 
Myth- Exercise will make you tired
Myth- 3 meals and 2 snacks give you more energy
Myth- Work before play
 
Myth #1- Exercise will make you tired.  It’s common to rest when feeling physically tired. At the end of a long day, it feels counterintuitive to hit the gym when your mind and body are fatigued from a long day. It can also feel really hard to rise early and hit the gym when your bed is cozy and your eyelids are heavy. There’s a myth that exercise will further drain your energy and make you more tired than you already were. This myth is needlessly robbing you of an excellent source to generate boundless energy.
 
Exercise strengthens your heart and releases feel-good chemicals in your brain. A stronger heart gives you stamina and serotonin helps regulate your mood. Even when you are physically tired, exercise actually helps revive and create more energy.
 
Myth #2. Eating three meals and two snacks each day gives you energy- In theory, eating consistently throughout the day is smart. Keeping your stomach satiated and your blood sugar stable will help you build and maintain energy, but there’s more to it than 3 meals and 2 snacks.
 
Everyone is unique and some people are adversely affected by foods. Foods that are high in salt, fat, and sugar won’t generate energy…they will drain it. For some, skipping breakfast or fasting, is an ideal way for them to hit the ground running until midday. For others, avoiding between meal snacks helps keep them from feeling sluggish and reaching for sugar-filled snacks. Get to know your body and be sure to choose healthy, whole foods to eat on a schedule that makes the most sense for your unique needs.
 
Myth #3. Work comes before play- No one is advocating blowing off responsibilities but facing daunting tasks and grinding for too long can drain energy. Play is an important distraction that generates more energy for the work at hand.
 
Long bouts of concentration or exertion can cause fatigue. Break things up by taking a walk, engaging in a fun activity, or enjoying a positive distraction to refresh and rebuild your energy. Some people use methods like the Pomodoro method to break tasks down into 25-minute increments followed by energy-generating breaks.
 
There are a lot of myths out there that rob energy and keep good people from generating energy that they need for everyday life. Bust those myths and find the best rhythm for your day that keeps you energized and excited about what’s on your schedule.