Makeover Your Energy Levels to Create Your Best Work

Energy has been a major battle for me as a creative - probably more than anything else, actually. The times in my life that have been the toughest for me creatively have been when I’ve had “too many pots on the stove,” leaving me drained and uninspired.

When I used to work a 9-5 graphic design job, I had zero energy to do anything when I got home, much less make great art. When first I started freelancing, I found I had much more creative energy, but I was dealing with new struggles - mainly the 3pm crash, and finding the energy to take on new projects and keep myself motivated.

I know I’m not alone in this energy struggle, because this is the most common excuse I hear for not people are creating on the regular. I get it, life is super demanding. After all the obligations, there’s just nothing left to give. And creative energy is not the easiest energy to come by. Luckily, this problem is easily fixable.

Below, I’ve listed my favorite energy-saving hacks. These hacks have helped me focus better and have more energy to do what I love. While these things have worked for me, everyone is different, so implement at your own discretion. (Also, I’m not a doctor, so when it comes to supplements, please consult your physician.)

Skip the Coffee and Go for Green Tea: I’ve had and on-again off-again love affair with coffee my entire life. I absolutely LOVE the taste, so I tend to go on benders and then regret it immediately after. For me, the crash just isn’t worth the high. Coffee is great if you need a quick boost to accomplish one task, but it’s not going to sustain your energy all day. Green tea has been my saving grace - two cups a day (one in the morning and one after lunch). That gives me steady energy all day long. And not the nervous kind, which is important for creating. On a day when I’m really moving slow, I go with 1/2 tsp. of matcha in latte form. It’s just enough to give me a good boost. Don’t get me wrong - I still enjoy coffee on a regular basis, but only in decaf form and occasionally the caffeinated version on the weekends when I can afford the crash.

Sublingual B Complex: This supplement has been crucial in me avoiding the 3pm crash (something I really struggle with). Owning my own business, I do so many creative tasks per day and sometimes I’m just running on empty. I take a dropper-full around 2 pm, just when I’m starting to feel tired. I really notice a difference. Not to mention, B vitamins have so many other benefits, so it’s win-win. I’ve even read some studies that B vitamins can help you avoid hangovers if taken before drinking wine or liquor (an added bonus). I like this brand.

100% Dark Chocolate: I know you aren’t supposed to rely on chocolate for a pick-me-up. However, I go with 100% dark sugar-free chocolate, so I don’t feel too bad about it. Chocolate is actually supposed to be really good for your brain and cognitive function. I’ll have a piece first thing in the morning with my green tea, and another small piece in the afternoon if I’m lagging. I know 100% chocolate sounds gross, but I really like the Montezuma Absolute Black bars from Trader Joes. I’m the crazy lady who buys 10-20 bars at once, because I love them so much. This chocolate is super delicious, and not at all what you’d think. It’s especially good with a hot drink, because it makes the chocolate literally melt in your mouth.

Meditation: I recently read Stress Less, Accomplish More by Emily Fletcher. I can’t recommend this book enough. It’s all about the effects of meditation, and how good it is for us. Emily does a great job of removing the “woo-woo” and using meditation as a scientific tool to improve performance in work and life. She recommends meditating twice a day with her “Z Technique” - once in the morning, and once right around the time the afternoon crash happens. I’ve only been doing this for a week, and I’ve already noticed a huge peak in my energy levels. The second meditation feels like a nap, but without the groggy hangover.There are many other benefits that come with meditating, such as aging backwards, improving health conditions, and increasing happiness.

Frequent Breaks & Focused Attention: This is important. Apparently, the ideal amount of time to spend on one task is 50 minutes. I have an Amazon Alexa in my office and I like to have her set timers for when I need to take breaks. I try to take a short break every 50 minutes where I stretch and walk around. Bonus points if you get outside and breath in some good oxygen. Even better if you go on a long walk or exercise to get your blood flowing. Just as important as breaks, is maintaining a flow while you work. You don’t want to jump around between too many tasks at once. Focused attention uses less energy than scattered attention.

Quality Sleep: I’m a self-proclaimed sleep fanatic, and so is my husband. We’re obsessed with getting good sleep. We don’t have kids, so you might be thinking that’s all well and good but kids change everything. And I hear ya! However, I still think you can always improve the quality of your sleep - even if the quantity is not where you’d want it to be. I’m going to do a longer post on sleep, because it’s one of my favorite topics, so stay tuned for that. Some of my best tips are to invest in quality bedding, make your room extra cold/dark, and sleep with an air purifier. Also, turning off screens after dinner and dimming the lights before bed really helps.

Restorative Weekends: Some may think of me as anti-social, because I don’t pack my weekends full of plans. While I actually do love to socialize, this is intentional. In order to do my best work, I need quiet time at home. I try not the make more than one or two plans over the weekend, in order to perform at my best during the week. Don’t get me wrong, it’s really hard to say no - especially to loved ones. However, it’s even harder when I wake up on Monday morning grouchy, tired, and overwhelmed. A jam packed weekend can result in a week of me spinning my wheels and not accomplishing anything significant. If you want an energy boost, try to have one day per weekend when you have nothing going on. Sundays are perfect for this. Whether you’re an introvert or extravert, this break will work wonders for your creativity. If this isn’t feasible in your life right now, start with one solid day of nothing per month - I’m talking leave your pajamas on all day, don’t run any errands, and relax harder than you’ve ever relaxed before.

Observe and Adjust: I think most of us overlook our energy levels and just expect to feel tired all day. Feeling tired all the time is not normal! Your default state should be energized. It’s okay to feel tired sometimes, as long as it isn’t the norm. You get a pass if you have a new baby, or are going through a significant life change right now, but that’s it! Observing your energy levels throughout the day is the first step to mastering them. Take notes of when you are most awake, and when you tend to crash. Figure out what times of day you do your best creative work, and tailor your schedule to fit those patterns. Personally, I’ve finally come to terms with the fact that I’m not a morning person. I’ve yearned to be a morning person my whole life, but it’s just not going to happen for me. I need long, slow (nobody talk to me!) mornings to get moving. As soon as I started accepting this instead of trying to be a morning person, I felt so much better. Just be honest with yourself, and plan your day around your energy needs.

Alright, those are my biggest tips, and they have changed my life. I really believe I’m making the best art I ever have right now due to these energizing tricks. Creativity uses an enormous amount of energy because we are putting our heart and souls into our work. Making art is not something you do on autopilot, at least not until you are knee deep in a piece and reach that coveted flow state. The sitting down and getting started part can sometimes feel like one of the hardest things you’ve ever had to do, and we need as much energy as we can muster to take that first step.