If you are very energetic what’s your secret?

[Dontbelazy]

I’m currently off work as I work term time and I’m so annoyed with myself because I’m being lazy.I met up with friends last night they are term time too and several were reeling off all the things they’d been doing, gardening, decorating, exercising. I’d literally been doom scrolling, watching crime documentaries and had a nap.

My kids are teens now so more or less sort themselves out but they can be so messy and constantly in the fridge and making snacks and it’s really draining trying to do things round the house with them under my feet.

But there’s so much I could be doing, I wish I was one of those energetic, on the go types but I can waste hours just lolling about.

If you’re energetic what’s your secret or if you’re a lazy type like me have you found a way to motivate yourself?

Depends on the weather. I’ve been much less motivated to do stuff in this heat. I generally love getting out for walks but it’s been difficult lately as I just get so hot and overheat.

Are you overweight ? I used to be like this but I lost 5 stone through exercise and it’s now a big part of my life.

I find the best way is to make a plan and commit to it. So I will make a list of things I need/want to do, and then timetable it essentially. I can’t then negotiate myself out of things when I wake up! (Well I could I suppose, but I find I tend to commit to a plan!)

I do think with the chore type things I need to do, and the fun things I want to do, especially important in summer holidays.

Unmedicated ADHD 😂

This thread is so helpful although I’m cringing that people are telling me not to pick up my phone first thing. Yet here I am still in bed and on my second coffee. Lazy mornings in bed scrolling are a real guilty pleasure but they don’t really add anything to my life. I’d be happier if I’d walked for an hour instead or got a few jobs done.

To answer, I’m not overweight, don’t drink, smoke or take any medication. My diet and exercise could definitely do with improvement at the moment though.

Going to start implementing some of the ideas from here and see if I can get some momentum going.

I agreed with this. And it's a great feeling after knowing you've achieved something

This 100%. I have got so much done in the last 3 weeks that I’ve even amazed myself. How? I wrote a project kanban board on Notion (essentially a list). Made it Visual and helped me see exactly what I’ve done and how much still to do (house renovation has been my summer project). It’s free, easy and helps.
I would also agree with momentum. It’s the starting that’s the hard part. Put down your phone right now, make a list (or do it on your phone) and do one thing!

Having a routine, particularly for exercise. I walk at certain times, I go to the same gym classes each week etc. it's just what I donat those times then.
Having a tick list/plan of what I will do when for non regular activities. E.g. certain jobs planned in for certain days. Same with social activities/days out/adventures.

I also reward myself with treats. Get the job/hard work things done first, then you reward yourself with a rest or something nice afterwards.

I did a short 4 mile walk this morning and now enjoying coffee and breakfast sitting outside in the garden before doing a bit of work. I will see a couple of patients, then go and swim in the outdoor pool afterwards which will be a nice treat. Then I will do my notes/bit of report writing, then will read my book in the hammock in the garden before dinner and chilling for the rest of the evening. I do have to be careful not to reward myself with food else I get fat 🤣 But sometimes it's just making myself a fancy coffee in the bean to cup machine instead of instant or something non food related.

Don’t feel guilty- it’s called a holiday!
relax and enjoy 😊

I agree, there are so many awful things going on around the world, I find it quite difficult to focus on what needs doing close at hand, esp when daft US presidents try to ruin everything for all living things, & the like!

I wouldn't be too hard on yourself. Sometimes after a busy term your body is simply telling you it needs a proper rest, and scrolling or napping doesn't automatically mean you're lazy. I find I'm much more productive if I give myself one or two small jobs to do each day rather than expecting to tackle everything at once. Once I've started, I often end up doing more, but if I don't, at least I've achieved something. Also, teenagers somehow seem to create twice the mess while insisting they've done nothing.

potential undiagnosed ADHD low boredom threshold

Exercise- it stimulates the mitochondria that regulate the body's energy so increases your enegy long term as well as making tasks easier when you're fit.

Vitamin D- DS2 kept getting illnesses from last September, but when I started using vitamin D drops, he stopped getting ill. Plus I only had one day off ill despite my first winter in a school for years. I put the drops into a homemade fruit smoothie for breakfast so there's lots of goodness in that to start the day.

Work with my hormonal energy. Some parts of my cycle are for taking over the world and blitzing it, some parts are more sluggish where I have to pace myself.

I second The Organised Method. I use the guided cleans to do the tedious thinking part for me, and after a few years of using them, there's many cleaning sessions that I now do pretty much on autopilot, but I still like being talked through dull jobs.

I know this isn’t exactly the question but have you thought that maybe you just need some down time from your term time job? It’s ok to have a proper rest if that’s what your body needs!! There’s no law that says we have to be busy all the time and it has taken me a while to recognise that myself.

but in answer to your actual question- as someone said above it’s momentum. Activity breeds activity so if i can get out for a walk first thing, or start pottering around it naturally leads to more activity and am much more productive than if i sit for a long time with a cuppa and then end up not feeling like doing anything!

maybe ring fence some time to rest? and then as that is coming to the end you might find you naturally wanting to make plans/decorating etc as you have replenished yourself and starting to get bored!

I voted YaBU because you are being unkind to yourself. It is good for you to lounge around on occasions. I often talk to DM about this. All I can remember from my childhood is that my parents were always working - either their full time paid work or if at home they were constantly doing chores around the house and garden. My DM is now in her 80s and is still tries to do it. I think it is because she has never ever stopped, she does not know how to relax and also does not know how to listen, reflect and reconsider. Her whole life focus is on doing and so she constantly feels stressed.

Having said that, we do all need to get some stuff done. What works for me is to write in a notebook in the evening- it takes 2 or 3 minutes. I ask myself 3 questions: what did I do today? What do I want to do tomorrow? How did I feel about the day?

The first question reminds me that I have achieved a few things. The second makes sure I her the top 3 priorities done so I always do something. The last question is just a quick reflection eg “if was a fun day. I enjoyed meeting up with Bob. “

I've often wondered about adhd. If it gives high energy levels why do people medicate it?

The energy level may not match the task at hand, so I can spend two hours at the gym etc, but that doesn’t mean I’ll be able to focus on something I actually need to do.

Firstly, it's not lazy to rest!! Being productive all the time is a weird modern idea that everyone seems to have bought into. Downtime is good for the body and soul.

What always worked for me was super productive days balanced with indulgent don't do anything but read and watch movies days (doing a little bit every day NEVER worked for me despite people constantly suggesting it)....but then I was late diagnosed ADHD and realised it was a symptom 🤣 but it 100% worked for me until I had kids and million times more demands on me! Now what works is stimulants. So take my advice lightly.

Not the part about allowing yourself "lazy" days though. That's important, everyone deserves rest.

Cos you only get energy for jobs that interest you and bring lots of dopamine
I hate housework. Hate it. (Even though I love a tidy house) So it's almost impossible for me to get started. However, when I do gets started I go into OCD mode, every cupboard, drawer and kids toy has to be reorganized, I go through pens to test they still work and get rid of any that don't, brush dolls hair, put beads back into side and colour order...clothes hang in order dresses/top/trousers/ etc etc. it takes ages, but feels so good once it's done as calms my brain. However, if I lose motivation half way through, it can outwardly be a bigger mess than before I started.
I cant ever just do a quick tidy.. which Is why I find it so hard to get started, because it a big, many steps task and is like a brick wall in the brain when I want to start.
The medicine helps break that wall and get started.

Exercise every day

Good varied diet with loads of protein

Lots of water/fluid in general

At least 7 hours quality sleep

Hardly any alcohol

All this makes me feel energised, however I take rest seriously too.

I find not sitting on a comfy seat all day helps. The other day I sat on the sofa to eat my lunch and then really didn't want to get up but if I sit at the table or the breakfast bar I get on with stuff after a meal.

Otherwise its regular exercise, good nutrition, bit of will power and having untidy children who get up at 6.30 so the days are incredibly long.

I just tell myself some things are non negotiable, house has to be cleaned, evening meal cooked, washing, ironing and shopping have to be done, so there's no point arguing with myself. However, I do have 2-3 hours every afternoon which are for doing whatever I choose, reading, watching tv etc. That's my reward for everything else I do, and my weekends are free because I've got all of my jobs done.

Exercise

Exercise daily. When I skip exercise I can feel my battery draining. A couple of days missed and I'm a couch potato. Also if I really feel low energy then I need to improve my diet and take some vitamins.