I wrote for a couple of hours in the coffeehouse last week. A couple of hours is a pretty long writing session for me. I got nearly a chapter written on the second Memphis book and felt proud of myself for knocking so much out.
But there was a barista there who had me beat to pieces, as far as being productive.
She greeted probably 80% of the people who walked in the door by name. (I have days when I struggle to remember my own name. It’s the Riley/Elizabeth thing…I think I’m getting confused.) This girl seemed genuinely happy to see the customers and even asked about specific things related to their lives.
The barista told one of the customers that she’d been up until 2:30 that morning studying….she was a college student. She gotten to the coffee shop at 6:30 a.m. and was working until noon, when she went to class. After class she waited tables at a restaurant until 11-ish. Then went back to her apartment and studied.
Okay…given…she was 21 years old. Being young does do a lot for your energy level. But she seemed—alert. Energetic. Happy!
I’m usually running around like a chicken with my head cut off. It’s fueled by coffee in the early morning and deadline desperation by the late morning. My fast pace while knocking out non-writing related stuff is due to pure necessity. Otherwise…the stuff just wouldn’t get done.
My energy? It’s hyperactive. It does get stuff done, but I seem more jittery than not. And I have a writing friend, Cleo Coyle, who writes two series for Penguin and has a lot going on. But it seems like the more she has to do, the more productive she gets.
So I thought I’d look at energy-boosting ideas.
Coffee. I’m drinking enough of it, I’m sure. It does help, though! At least, short-term. Before the inevitable crash. :)
Exercise. Bleh. But okay, I’m trying. I’m on the Wii 3 or 4 times a week now, doing that advanced step aerobics. Does anybody else do it? Do y’all think it’s hilarious that the steppers are on a stage with an audience cheering them on?
Sleep. Yeah, that would definitely help. Insomnia keeps me from much of it, though.
Meditation/Quiet time. I hear a lot about the benefits of this, but haven’t seemed to be able or willing to squeeze time in for it. How long is long enough to have it work?
I’m thinking exercise or meditation sounds like the best of the group. Maybe there are more ways to get energized? Anyone?
And—if you exercise—what works well for you?
I have no clue. I’m one of those people who are perpetually tired. You know when you realize you answer “Tired” to everyone who asks how you are–and you mean it? That’s my life. Supposedly exercising and eating right helps. I’ve been doing p90x and been trying to eat healthier. Have had a little more energy in general, except for this past week.
Elizabeth – You’re right; it’s so hard to get (and stay) energized. Writing does drain one, and I find that I write better if I boost my energy. I’m addicted to black coffee, so that’s one of my energy boosters. I also get energized by music. It’s an important part of my life and “charges my batteries” every time. I also find that brisk walks with the dogs charges me up, too.
I like yoga but only really get time every second day or so and some weeks – like this last one – I don’t manage to fit it in at all. Unfortuantely it seems to be the lowest on my priorities of things I wish to do daily. I do find I am more relaxed and yet my brain is more energised when I do find the time for it.
I am in a 6 week trial-week 4 and exhaustion is catching up-I work out every weekend and try to get cardio or weight lifting in during the week-if I am not too tired to get motivated it does help.
Running does it for me. Clears my mind totally, and leaves me energised after it. Power walking should do it too – half an hour a day, six days a week.
But while I am impressed with how the barista you spoke about does so much so cheerfully, I am not sure she is doing the right then. When you are 21, you tend to abuse your body, but that lack of sleep does catch up with you sooner or later. It did for me, and after a battery of tests, I was prescribed 6 hours of sleep at 23.
Quiet time is essential for me. I think you can get benefits from even five minutes of meditation, although ideally, 15-20 minutes should be your goal.
As for exercise, I love to walk. It’s the only exercise I have stuck with consistently throughout my life. I hate gyms, the idea of walking/running on machines holds no appeal to me. I need to be outside, and I’m pretty good about walking in almost any kind of weather (I draw the line at pouring rain or slippery snowy and icy sidewalks). I also like Pilates, and I treat myself to a private lesson once a week.
For certain reasons I am a bit different in this category, but in one way I am not: kids and family. They seem to take it out of you! As much as they give back in love, they take sixfold out in energy.
I combine a couple (meditation and exercise) into yoga! You can do it on Wii, but I highly recommend a small studio with a non-crazy instructor. Mine doesn’t push the spiritual principles so much as giving thanks (to God for me, or whatever deity for others) for your day and letting it all go. It really is rejuvenating.
Then walk down the road in the brisk winter air to a coffee shop. It doesn’t get much more mind-opening than that!
Congrats to you on writing so hard that day. A whole chapter! Way to go.
Michele
SouthernCityMysteries
I don’t do coffee, but I do exercise (if my knees aren’t acting up and it isn’t too cold). I try to run (plod) for three miles every other day. I also try to stretch and do a little weight training (very little).
A side benefit of exercise: I seem to get a lot of good ideas while I run.
Napping works, too.
I walk home from work pretty much every day. It’s only about 45 minutes, but it keeps me from feeling too blah. It also gives me that quiet time… well except for the iPod… :)
I rarely have caffeine, my body can’t handle it and I’m struggling with exercise. I don’t have small children, and a husband(Gone with the Wind) around, so I find at this point in writing, that it’s a matter of just sitting down and going for it. I wish I could drink cokes, I love the taste of coke! But thankfully, I can’t have the caffeine! Otherwise I would be drinking cokes all the time.
Yoga, Pilates and walking when there isn’t a foot of snow on the ground are my choices of exercises.
It’s important (Teresa) to remember you are not 21 any longer and you must act accordingly.
Coffee helps energize me, but I also enjoy getting outside and walking through the woods. This time of the year, it’s hard to do it often but it can still be enjoyable, relaxing and recharges my energy.
What is this “sleep” thing you speak of? And “quiet time?” These are unfamiliar terms to me. I hear those are things that people without children have from time to time, but it’s been a few years, so I don’t remember if I ever had either…
Oh boy, I’m glad I’m not the only one getting confused with the names bit. I like the coffee energy boost suggestion. I think I will go brew a pot right now.
ann
I always want to answer seriously on this blog but today I shan’t. So:
Wrestling tuxedoed Russian hitmen in Monte Carlo casinos.
Swordfighting out of work Zorros in Spanish bars.
Running away from lovers.
Knitting.
I used to exercise every morning, 5 days a week. Now that I’m not doing it I find that I don’t sleep nearly as well. Obviously the two are related and obviously I need to exercise more!
By the way, the Wii aerobics on the stage is odd. It’s not like you’re doing Ms. Fitness America style routines!
I know exercise gives me more energy, but lately I’ve been too tired to get back to the gym!
Exercise is one of the best energy boosters! I do weights and treadmill.
But I also find my energy level goes up when I have more to do. I’ve been very busy with several big projects the past two months and soon my speaking calendar will kick into full gear as well. However, I’ll probably get even more done with less time.
Just recently joined a gym, and one thing that works wonders for me, and heads off that inevitable “Oh God if I can only get to ____ miles or ___ calories” is the incredible READING! Sit on an exercise bike (I loooove the recumbent bike for this reason) and read a magazine… before you know it, you’ve done 3 miles… Treadmill works the same way too, (if they have a ledge for the magazine)but I find the bike easier personally. :) I’ve been dying to try yoga and all that other quiet meditation stuff, but have yet to find a good resource… I’m only 25 too, so yeah.
Oh, and coffee is a staple of my mornings :D
Energy? LOl – I am like you – tie me to the coffee pot and give me about 30 minutes to wake up and then lets go!
The coffee girl sounds like she would make an amazing character in a book!
Elizabeth – I don’t like running. I like having run.
I have started eating a bowl of porridge oats for breakfast. My concentration levels have improved, when it comes to writing. I am trying to walk a little further with the dogs too.
If I want quiet time, I unplug and read a book.
Until I married, I had never had a cup of coffee. Now, I drink it every morning. This morning, my DH and I were talking and I had to ask him to stop and let me get a cup of coffee ’cause I wasn’t keeping up with the conversation. How I’ve changed since my youthful days!
Helen
Straight From Hel
Elizabeth, I’m always astounded at what you are able to accomplish. Like, for instance, you can write in a coffee shop. I would get so distracted watching people, listening to conversations, pulled by the lure of the bakery display, drinking too much coffee and needing to go to the bathroom…it would be too much for me to even get a paragraph written. But you do that, watch the barista at work, and write for two hours. On top of all that, you seem to run on limitless energy in all other aspects of your life. And now I see where you get it. Hmmm…*considers bying Wii Fit* Geez, you inspire me. You’re like the eternal 21-year old.
Exercise seems to be the thing I let go of the most, but when I do it, I either walk for 20 minutes listening to Ipod or do a Richard Simmons Sweatin’ to the Oldies tape. I can do it at home, so it saves time.
Good luck, Elizabeth
Karen
Meditation works for me. Also a nice long (30 minutes) fast paced walk. And what never fails? My precious Monster Lo-Carb Energy Drink! (wink)
Marvin D Wilson
So that Barista gets what, 3 or 4 hours sleep a night? Zonks.
I have a touch of insomnia that strikes 3-5 am usually (during which time many writing notes are produced), but I walk to work, so if I get up by 7:30 and exercise for 30 minutes, I’m ok. I go to bed at 11pm, so I get about 7-7 1/2 hours sleep. I try to keep coffee down to one cup a day, and I “meditate” for about 5 minutes in the morning. Even with all that, I’m STILL exhausted. Must be because I’m not 21 anymore :)
As for exercise, I like to mix it up: jogging or walking in the park, bicycle, aerobics, whatever I feel like. I have a timer that I obey for the indoor activities, and for running I go a certain distance, usually including the local shop to pick up milk or whatever I forgot. I’m big with the multi-tasking.
Esme–Wow! That’s really great for you, I’ve heard. I’m a little worried about weight-lifting..I seem to pull things pretty easily. I guess lots of stretching is in order?
Kristen–Food is what I forgot about in this list of energizing things. You’re absolutely right. I guess carbs are short-term and fruits and veggies are long-term energy? I really need a crash course from a dietitian.
Margot–Music! Great idea. I’m thinking maybe I should have some energetic music on my Ipod and then listen to it while I do housework, etc. Might speed things up a little.
Rayna–As a marathon runner, you have *definitely* got the handle on exercise. I’m glad that walking might have the same benefits, too.
I thought the same thing about the girl…she was burning the candle at both ends. I figured it was just the mommy in me, though.
Cassandra–It’s my LOWEST priority. But I know it would give me more energy. Maybe when I’m really dragging, that would be the time when I need to force myself to do it?
Ingrid–Short meditation sounds doable to me, although it might be crammed into odd times like sitting in my car waiting for the school bus to drop off in the afternoon. Walking outside is probably my favorite–I just need to plan it into my day. And you’re right…the weather this winter hasn’t been conducive for it. Even in the “sunny” South.
Simon–Sleep and I are not on speaking terms right now. I definitely had the kids to blame for that when they were younger but now it’s just ME that’s messed up. Oh..except that they always wake up at 6 a.m, even on weekends. Bleh.
Michele–It’s the kids! So true. Cute little energy sappers. I’m going to play cards with them in a few minutes and I have a feeling I’ll be tired by the end of the card game!
I love the idea of yoga, but it’s the group thing that keeps me from doing a class (you know…I don’t enjoy groups.) But I did try the Wii one. The animated instructor fussed at me a bit. I don’t think I was doing it right.
Ann–The pen name is killing me! :) More coffee!
Alan–I love the idea of loving to run. The joggers I see look so happy and relaxed! But I run like a girl and am an unhappy jogger. I think I’d have to have one of my murderers from my books behind me with a weapon before I’d run down the street.
Jemi–I think 45 min is a long walk! I love the Ipod, too..a little soft music makes a good quiet time…good idea to combine the exercise with the quiet time.
Judy–I’m not wonderful with caffeine either, but just fell back into the bad habit in the last 6 months when deadlines heated up. Shame on me!
Teresa–I’m not 21 anymore either, sigh. 38 isn’t so bad…you’d think. I still manage to pull muscles I didn’t realize I had when I exercise, though! I must be doing something wrong. I’m going to stick to the step stuff where it’s harder for me to hurt myself.
Mason–We have woods behind our house…very pretty. I’ll usually go to the park and walk, with the corgi. Of course, we’re all covered with ice here in NC right now, so no walking outside today!
Lexi–Then we have to drink more coffee to get geared up to exercise! :) I’m about to drink a cup now.
Diane–That’s sort of like me–except I get that desperate feeling, which seems to be what drives me along my productive path. You’re right, though–if I had less to do, I’d get less done. Isn’t that weird?
Danica–Being 25 is good for energy levels! :) I did belong to a gym, but I was too reluctant to exercise in groups, so that was the end of that. I was okay with the treadmill, but it was in front of a TV turned to the news..and the news stresses me out.
Sheila–If I need a really good, active college kid, I know who my character prototype would be!
Glynis–I think you’ve got a good plan there. Grits is sort of like porridge. Maybe the extra iron would be good for me.
Helen–You were good not to start with coffee until you were married! I was addicted in my mid-teens. And..yeah, I think you had some energy when you were younger–a mermaid! Doing underwater shows! I’d be completely wiped if I tried to swim longer than 20 minutes.
M.J.–Me too! Well, I would be except there’s so much ice on my doorstep, walkway, and driveway now that I can’t leave my house. But I *would* be doing all those things. Really. :)
Marvin–Monster! :) That’s an energy booster, for sure. I’d better stick with the walking or meditation, though. I can only imagine how hyper I’d be with Monster!
Deadlines increase my energy. There’s nothing like the sound of one screaming up behind you too make you start running!
Seriously, I find exercise does it for me. Running, body pump, dancing and horse riding. Nothing quiet and meditative for me as my mind wanders too easily (although the riding can be meditative sometimes, you need your wits about you). Afterwards I’m definitely more focussed as it seems to blast the distraction gremlins away.
Unbroken night’s sleep is the best. Kids, dog, insomnia sometimes interferes, however. Sometimes worrying about kids, dog, insomnia interferes even more. I quit drinking coffee after 10:00 am. I do often drink a cup of tea after lunch and sometimes if I’m really flagging I pop a Cold FX (pure ginseng). I have it in my mind that the ginseng perks me up but probably is a placebo effect. Like the other walkers, that’s great too but not in -20C.
I think you’re doing well, Elizabeth. I’m scared what you’d accomplish with even more energy!
nel–I hear that we’re supposed to exercise in the morning or early afternoon, right? Otherwise it’ll mess with (my) already-whacked sleep schedule.
It really tickles me on the Wii. There we are, doing step aerobics…on stage. With a room full of cheering fans! It’s too funny/bizarre.
dirtywhitecandy–Well, you’re right about that! My deadlines scare me to death, even if I’m way ahead. Because I signed a contract! It’s almost like a pact with the devil. Y’all have just about convinced me to up my exercising, though. I’m thinking 3, maybe 4, times a week isn’t really enough.
Alan–That’s a big difference! Maybe if I enjoyed that post-exercise glow. But I just feel icky and get into the shower and then want to do something very, very still. Like writing/reading. With a heating pad, ibuprofen, and big glass of water. For the rest of the day and possibly the next. And maybe never get up again. :) I’ll make an excellent elderly lady when it’s time.
Carol–I wouldn’t *mind* staying 21. :) Thanks. I wouldn’t go back to being 17 again if you paid me, but 21 was fun.
I think being in a place like a coffee shop helps me write sometimes. I go there usually once a week or so…other writing is at home if I *need* quiet, or at the library if I want to just get out. I can write while things go on in the background really well (the kids have trained me!)
I do like the Wii Fit for the aerobics and the hula hoop game. Oh, and the one where you lead a parade. I like the idea of doing the boxing game on it, but am too uncoordinated to do the game. I keep trying, though. :)
Karen–Music definitely helps, doesn’t it? I think I just get a little bored exercising. But if I have some music, it makes the time go faster.
Lorel–That actually sounds like a really balanced plan to me. You’ve fit it all in, multitasking it where you can. I like timers, too.
You seem to have SO much energy! I love yoga and am trying to do more meditation. Coffee’s great. When I’m falling asleep at the keyboard I either take a walk or do an exercise where I march and cross my arms across my body as I march. The cross body thing is supposed to spark the brain.
“I’m usually running around like a chicken with my head cut off. It’s fueled by coffee in the early morning and deadline desperation by the late morning.”
You have really created the most amazing pictures in my head of a head in the kitchen sipping coffee while the rest of you flutters around doing whatever you have to do! LOL
I should exercise, but I don´t. When I did, I enjoyed bicycling around in our beautiful Thy, but today my (hypothetical) choice is the ´bike´ in the beedroom. There is a TV in front of it so my husband can use it while watching handball. When I used it, I would read a chapter of a novel while trampling along.
*Insomnia keeps me from much of it, though.
Must be all that coffee! :)
I jog. It relaxt night but energizes the day.
Corra
from the desk of a writer
relaxt night = relaxes me at night
I used to burn the candles at both ends. Until I ended up with Emphysema. If it’s taught me anything it’s how to pace myself. Weirdly I have moments of manic energy which burn me out quickly. So what I do is save the energy consuming task for those times and write on my downtime. Somehow it works.
I’m big on green tea and fruit too. Soda believe it or not is not an engergizer. So many people say they drink it for the caffeine. Caffeine burns itself out quickly and leaves you sluggish. Best thing I ever did was quit drinking soda. (Hugs)Indigo