Dealing with Low Energy

A number of friends have recently mentioned to us that they’re feeling overwhelmed, and just don’t have the energy to deal with all the demands in their lives. If you are feeling this way it may help to know that you’re not alone—the whole world is stressed and worried. We can’t cure the ills of the world, but there are many things that we can do on a personal level during those periods when we feel like our brain is having rolling brownouts.

Let’s start with some physical cures:

Dehydration: Surprisingly, this is often the underlying problem behind low energy. The cure: Drink plenty of water, but also add some electrolytes. Dr. Aditya, the head of Ananda’s work in Pune, India, gives many corporate workshops. His magical advice: Be sure to drink water with the juice of one lemon every morning and evening.

Toxic cells: If your cells are filled with toxins, you’ll feel depressed. So when your energy is low, be sure to eliminate those things that you know are unhealthy. Paramhansa Yogananda recommended that we fast on water or orange juice one day each week. Fasting not only cleanses the cells, but it reconnects the life-force in our bodies to the infinite source of prana.

Enervating diet: Most of your diet should be fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains. When you are in a low period, be extra careful to avoid processed fast foods and snacks. They sap energy, and you probably would be better off eating the box they come in. I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but a pint of ice cream or a box of chocolates is not the cure you’re looking for. The food industry purposely tries to addict us, and their three main weapons are sugar, oil, and salt—SOS. One of the best things you can do is to eliminate all added SOS. Your mind might rebel for a week or so, but your body will thank you for the rest of your life.

Exercise: Try to exercise at least 20–30 minutes a day. Get out in the fresh air, and even better, try to be around a body of water for the negative ions. For devotees of this path, the single best recommendation I can give is to do the Energization Exercises at least once every day.

Here are a few suggestions on mental/emotional and spiritual levels:

Check your environment: Environment is stronger than willpower. Clean up your space: Dirty or cluttered (tamasic) energy draws low astral spirits. Be sure that the music and media you are consuming are uplifting. Relaxation is important, but let your relaxation be uplifting, especially when your energy is low.

Be around positive people: We are always exchanging magnetism, so when you are feeling down, be sure that your astral body is getting fed with positive energy. This is also a good reason to avoid too much news, which thrives on negativity. Drink in the writings of saints and God-realized masters, or even better, connect with them in meditation.

Affirmations, chanting, and mantras all help keep the mind positive and open to the powerful flow of higher powers.

Finally, accept yourself and others. We are all children of the same one God, and are struggling with pretty much the same issues. Kindness and acceptance toward yourself and others will open a flow of God’s blessings and fix most of the problems.

Let me end with this beautiful prayer from Yogananda:

“In Thy temples, when many come to pray, I take God-intoxication from their eyes. I blend it together into a cocktail of devotion. I serve that nectar to my thirsty thoughts, and they drink and drink, forgetting all their wounds and worries.”

In joy,

Nayaswami Jyotish

P.S. You may enjoy viewing our recent talks on Sharing the Wisdom of Yogananda: 100 Years of Spiritual Awakening and How a Yogi Does Lockdown.

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