Simple Way to Increase Energy and Improve Your Mood

Who wants more energy, more sleep, and to feel happier and calmer? What if I told you I know a secret power that will give you that? Read on, friend, and don’t doubt me.

I’m a big believer in intentionality. I don’t think progress or success or even happiness come without being intentional.

Back in 2006, I began writing a blog called Kid Friendly Organic Life that later became my book Live Intentionally: 65 Challenges for a Healthier Happier Life. That book is ten years old this year, even though it seems so much longer ago that it was published.

The book is full of challenges to live more intentionally in lots of ways – health, diet, lifestyle, parenting, holidays, even gardening. I skimmed over it recently and cringed at how dated it has already become. I’m toying with a revision, but my plate is overloaded at the moment.

That said…this morning I thought about a new challenge I would include. It’s one I started about a year ago and can easily say has changed my life. It’s really very simple and anyone can do it (maybe the smarter ones of you already are).

A year ago I decided to read up on how much water I should be drinking. I was confused by contradictory advice I found regarding the actual number of ounces. I can’t say that my reading cleared it up, but I found one voice I trusted and decided to challenge myself to drink the number of ounces she prescribed. Her formula was simple—drink half your body weight in ounces. So, if you weigh 200 pounds, you should drink 100 ounces every day.

At first, I was fudging it, guesstimating with a pint glass, but then my son Ian showed me that the fridge actually has a function on it that tells you how many ounces it’s dispensing. When I began using the fridge’s measurements, I was amazed at how MUCH water I needed to drink. (And if you exercise, drink alcohol or caffeine, you have to add more.)

When I began seriously drinking half my body weight in water, I discovered that:

I had TONS more energy.

I could think more clearly.

I was in a better mood.

I didn’t eat as much.

I slept better.

I was calmer.

And I peed a lot.

This wasn’t just a little bit more energy or a little happier, it was exponential. I felt like I had woken up from a life of sleepwalking. On days when I don’t get enough water, I notice. Drinking enough water feels like a superpower.

So I wanted to share that with you. And in the spirit of living intentionally, here is my challenge to you: Drink half your body weight in ounces EVERY day for two weeks (although I bet you’ll feel its effects in a day or two) and then let me know how it affects you.

And don’t just eyeball it – measure and count your ounces. Use a liquid measuring cup to pour from or to figure out how many ounces are in your favorite glasses.

I have magnets on the side of my fridge that I move up or down each day so I can keep track of how many ounces I’ve had. You think you’ll remember, but you won’t (that’s true about so much these days, isn’t it?), so come up with a system for counting –rubber bands on your wrist or pennies that you move from one dish to another or some other way to keep yourself visually accountable.

There are phone apps for this I’m sure, but I like the tactile satisfaction of literally counting (I use one magnet for ten ounces).

Here are a few tips that work for me (besides the magnets):

• Drink seltzer water with a squeeze of fresh lime for a special treat.
• Try to drink at least half of your water before lunch (so you won’t get up all night peeing).
• If you don’t like the taste of your water, get ‘real lime’ packets to sprinkle in (or use a splash of real lime).
• Carry water with you in the car.
• Whenever you are waiting for something to download, refresh, etc., on your computer – take a sip.
• Instead of opening your phone to social media, drink a glass of water.
• Drink out of a nice glass that feels good in your hand (never plastic!)

I hope you’ll take this seriously. I hope you aren’t just saying to yourself, “I drink plenty of water.” I thought I did too, but once I started measuring it and making myself drink all of the ounces, it was a shocking difference. Truly life-changing.

If you take my challenge, I’d love to hear how it goes for you, and any tips you have for making it easier. Mostly, I want to know if it gives you a superpower you never knew you had!

Hey, thanks for reading. I know you’ve got lots of options, so thanks for sharing a few of your minutes with me.

Honored,

Cara

If you’re a writer (or you wanna be) and you’d like some guidance, editing, accountability, or some good old fashioned encouragement in meeting your writing goals, reach out. I offer one-on-one coaching. Learn more here.

My latest novel, Blind Turn is a mother-daughter story of forgiveness in the aftermath of a fatal texting and driving accident. It won the Womens Fiction category of the American Writing Awards in 2022. Learn more about it and find out how to get your copy here.

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