Mental Energy

This morning has arrived and the need to pluck another thought from the universe of thoughts needs to happen. Today, I want to pick up on a thought that I touched on yesterday - "Mental Energy".

What is "Mental Energy". My definition is - The willingness to accomplish the "something" at hand. What that "something" is can vary from person to person.

Each morning morning we wake up with what I like to describe as a full tank of mental energy. With each task we complete, with each person we meet, with each chore that we take on, we dip into this tank and draw from the energy. Slowly over the course of the day, the tank gets lower and lower.

Sometimes by the end of the day, we have nothing left and return home completely depleted.

When I look around during the day,I see people trying to recover their energy expenditures through various means.

Often, this involves taking some substance - soft drinks, coffee, tea, and/or a 5 hour energy drink just to name a few.

Yes, the boost is quick and often results in short term gains, but lose comes in the long term. The body become accustom to these substances and so it takes more and more to achieve the same feeling of energy.

Do I have a solution to the Mental Energy deficiency?

When it comes to running, I do.

Like I said above, our mental energy levels drop over the course of the day. And this can make getting that evening workout in oh so difficult.

So what's the answer?

Well, try to set up your runs with a buddy or with a group. By combining the energy levels of a group more can be accomplished, than could be accomplished solo.

Many runners already recognize the fact that they can be pulled along better while running with their friends than if they are out for an individual effort.

Another aspect of this group effect that comes from this shared mental energy, our mental energy tank can actually be higher after the workout. That's right, our mental energy has risen instead of dropping over the course of the workout.

We all need breaks from the daily grind of life. Exercise of any kind helps us manage because we are given a chance to step away. When we return, we are more focused and ready handle path of life coming at us.

The next time focusing becomes a struggle or the motivation just isn't there a.k.a. the mental energy tank nears empty, try heading out for a run with a buddy or a group.

When you return, you will find that your don't really need that can of Coke or that cup of coffee and you will feel better about your self in the long run.


Sharing one thought at time,

The Cool Down Runner