Slowing Down And Protecting Your Energy
It’s easy to feel drained, scattered, or disconnected at the best of times. Work, family, relationships can pull us in multiple directions, leaving us exhausted and overwhelmed by the sheer expectations others have of us, compounded by our own expectations of ourselves. Through the process, we may compromise our ability to respond to these demands by mindlessly and frantically trying to do more, when really, we should be doing less. It’s in these times that our energy and mental health should be prioritised. They are, whether we realise it or not, the foundations to a sustainable and fulfilling life.
How can we preserve our energy and prioritise our mental health?
When I’m feeling overwhelmed, I start by creating more clarity. Pen and paper is a good start to jot down situations or people that drain our energy. Knowing the sources can help to minimise our exposure to them, especially when we’re on the brink of breakdown.
This simple awareness piece can help us to embrace boundaries we otherwise didn’t know we could draw. I often experience feelings of guilt when saying no, or not going above and beyond to cater to another person. A perspective shift that has helped me overcome this is to realise that communicating clear boundaries is an act of self- respect, which in turn creates authenticity and respect from the person who you’re creating boundaries with. You free up your mental health and allow your attention to go to areas in your life that can further build you up. Where attention goes, energy flows.
Our culture often glorifies busyness, equating productivity with worth. I know I’ve embodied this belief for many years — I still fall into the trap and reprimand myself for not being “more productive.” But let’s get this clear; rest isn’t lazy—it’s essential. Whether it’s prioritising sleep, taking short breaks during the day, or scheduling downtime, rest rejuvenates both body and mind. Recovery doesn’t only happen at night; micro-moments of mindfulness, such as deep breathing or stepping outside for fresh air, can recharge you throughout the day and change our states.
As many of us can testify, our mental health can take a hit from the constant notifications, doom-scrolling, and online comparison traps. Suddenly the world is hyper connected and we’re able to see what others are up to — all the time. I’ve tried to limit social media to certain times and intentionally use social media for inspiration or connection, rather than mindless entertainment. Protecting mental space also means carving out time for reflection, journaling, or simply being present.
Maintaining our energy and mental health is an ongoing practice, not a one-time fix. As our worlds change, and we encounter new and different situations, it’s up to us to take pause and check in.
