Use energy wisely. That’s the moral of the story I got when I read my previous post a few days after I wrote it. (I didn’t mean it as the opening salvo of a Sad Off.)  By energy, I mean the energy you use both physically and mentally.

Part of using energy wisely is thinking positively. In my case, Botox gives me many more not-so-bad days and my medical team is making progress.

I also use energy wisely by using technology. I use instant messaging apps such as Skype or Zoom to type messages. Viewers can still talk and see me through my webcam. And I use email whenever I can.

Recently I realized that even with technology, I wasn’t doing enough to use my energy wisely.

Reducing the Negative

I decided to reduce some activities that waste time and cause stress:

• My TV time. I stopped watching the talking heads on news shows months ago. Now I watch local news for a half hour each day and briefly watch CNBC for financial news on weekdays.
• Most social media notifications. I receive very few notifications on my iPhone, iPad, laptop, and desktop computer. Fewer notifications lead to fewer distractions.
• My time on favorite websites. I set rules to look at my favorite sites, including social networks, during certain times of day. My brain training continues.
• Outward frustration. I get stressed like everyone else, but whisper-yelling at someone only makes them mad. Whisper-yelling at computer screens or inanimate objects is easy to do — and it’s silly. Either way, when I allow myself to become stressed I pay for it dearly with headaches and body pain.

Maintaining the Positive

I’m also keeping positive behaviors, including:

• Keeping clean. I clean my part of the house weekly. I also keep my office clean so I can find things easily and reduce stress.
• Getting away from the computer. Like everyone else, I need time to do other things. Daycare kids keep me centered and get me outside (if it’s not too hot), though I have to wear earplugs at times. I also spend some time reading actual printed books (and the occasional e-book).
• Staying physical. Cleaning and playing with the daycare kids keeps my muscles in shape, which is especially important when you’re underweight. Sometimes I even walk around my hilly neighborhood, and I couldn’t do that if I was sedentary most of the time.
• Writing. I need to write out my thoughts and experiences so they don’t fester in my brain. So, I create “personal log” Word documents for each year and add to the current year’s log often.

I have several projects to do in August and September, so I’ll know soon if my behavior changes make me more productive.

In the meantime, everyone has a different definition of the word “wisely”, so how do you use your energy? Please comment because I want to learn from you.