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Energy, and How to Get It

newyorker.com

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Re: Energy, and How to Get It

#51

Post by fouc »

Have any fellow HN readers struggled with low energy levels for more than 5+ years and ever figured out how to counteract it?

Curious to hear what worked for you.

Definition of low energy levels in this context:

* struggles to work more than 20 hours a week without spending the rest of each day and the weekend recuperating.

* does not notice any significant differences in energy levels from a healthy diet, regular exercise, and achieving a healthy BMI. (That's not to say there isn't a difference, but it's small and can result in more consistent energy flow - the overall energy level is still low and recuperation is often strongly desired, feeling of fatigue is still constant)

Re: Energy, and How to Get It

#52

Post by 3pt14159 »

fouc wrote: post #51

Have any fellow HN readers struggled with low energy levels for more than 5+ years and ever figured out how to counteract it? Curious to hear what worked for you. Definition of low energy levels in this context: * struggles to work more than 20 hours a week without spending the rest of each day and the weekend recuperating. * does not notice any significant differences in energy levels from a healthy diet, regular ex…

This sounds like an oncoming case of depression or possibly even a mild ongoing case. Also could be burnout or in addition to burnout.

If you can take a month off and see a doctor I'd recommend it. The faster you can get ahead of this type of thing the better.

Re: Energy, and How to Get It

#53

Post by 3pt14159 »

adamgordonbell wrote: post #39
mateo- wrote: post #5

> A lean Montrealer, with a gentle yet poised intensity that one might classify as medium-energy, Picard came at the question of vim and vigor from a near-cosmic vantage. His office, high above the Heights, had a commanding view down the Hudson, a receding sun-blanched shorescape of skyscrapers and tidal swirl that lent his pronouncements an oracular air. Did this assignment have a minimum word count? I know it's the…

I get frustrated with the reaction to New Yorker pieces on here. Yes, a New Yorker piece is going to be long and have backstory. Their feature pieces are like novellas of non-fiction. Many get republished into books, that receive acclaim like the amazing Coming into the Country[1]. It doesn't skim as well as some business insider article that is just a list of bullet points, but it was never meant to. https://www.ama…

The New Yorker has some absolutely great pieces and a huge budget for journalism, but that said, I find their writers self-indulge a bit more than I find pleasant. The Walrus doesn't have as many block buster journalistic pieces, but the writing is strong and strikes a better balance between flourish and meat.

Re: Energy, and How to Get It

#54

Post by biohax2015 »

fouc wrote: post #51

Have any fellow HN readers struggled with low energy levels for more than 5+ years and ever figured out how to counteract it? Curious to hear what worked for you. Definition of low energy levels in this context: * struggles to work more than 20 hours a week without spending the rest of each day and the weekend recuperating. * does not notice any significant differences in energy levels from a healthy diet, regular ex…

See a doctor.

Re: Energy, and How to Get It

#55

Post by pdabbadabba »

jbverschoor wrote: post #29

Does anybody actually read these blobs of text which are basically a lazy rant from the writer to improve his wordcount? Writers should always write for the reader.

Yes. It's called literary nonfiction and many people enjoy it.

There's a funny irony here in your suggestion that the New Yorker writers have, in a sort of solipsistic error, forgotten to write for anyone but themselves. In fact, I'd suggest that it's you who have forgotten that not everyone (even on HN, it would seem) shares your tastes!

That's not to say that this piece is an ideal example of the craft. But there will be plenty of readers who appreciate it.

Re: Energy, and How to Get It

#56

Post by SpaceL10n »

FriedrichN wrote: post #19

Don't smoke, don't drink, don't use drugs, get enough sleep and exercise, eat enough fruits and veg and not too much junk and you've got like 90% covered, if not all. Most people (without serious medical issues) moaning about a lack of energy know exactly what's causing it but refuse to change their habits. Whether it's drinking, smoking, junk food, staying up late, etc. they've just become too attached to that way o…

I personally found the mitochondrial-centric viewpoint discussed early in the article quite interesting. Do they serve us or do we serve them? High quality thinking material.

Re: Energy, and How to Get It

#57

Post by browningstreet »

mateo- wrote: post #5

> A lean Montrealer, with a gentle yet poised intensity that one might classify as medium-energy, Picard came at the question of vim and vigor from a near-cosmic vantage. His office, high above the Heights, had a commanding view down the Hudson, a receding sun-blanched shorescape of skyscrapers and tidal swirl that lent his pronouncements an oracular air. Did this assignment have a minimum word count? I know it's the…

Read it on paper and it plays very differently.

Re: Energy, and How to Get It

#58

Post by netizen-936824 »

dijereedan wrote: post #48
rralian wrote: post #47

I had an epiphany about personal energy a while ago that came from self-reflection, reading philosophy (stoicism in particular), and exploring mindfulness. And it's formed a big part of my personal philosophy. I will share in hopes it is useful to others. I realized that I was waiting to have energy before doing something. Blaming my lack of action on a lack of energy. But energy -- of the vim and vigor variety -- is…

Actually, I've found taking Wellbutrin has increased my energy level considerably. Though, whether it's a direct effect of the medication, I'm not sure.

There are multiple compounds that effect motivational energy, because that behavior is a consequence of how our brain functions. So things that modify the related circuits will modify the behavior. Plus free will is an illusion, and we don't actually "choose" anything. All of our behaviors are a consequence of the biochemical functioning of our cellular circuits. Quite frankly, the GP has no idea what they are talking about.

If you want to start understanding motivation and reward, simply look at the function of mu-opioid agonism in relation to the NAcc and related dopamine task reward circuitry.

Re: Energy, and How to Get It

#59

Post by josh_thurman »

What this article doesn't address is the emotional and psychological factors that contribute to energy or lack thereof. I've found that as I age these become much more significant factors than sleep, eating right, and exercise . . .

Re: Energy, and How to Get It

#60

Post by rory »

andreyk wrote: post #49
rralian wrote: post #47

I had an epiphany about personal energy a while ago that came from self-reflection, reading philosophy (stoicism in particular), and exploring mindfulness. And it's formed a big part of my personal philosophy. I will share in hopes it is useful to others. I realized that I was waiting to have energy before doing something. Blaming my lack of action on a lack of energy. But energy -- of the vim and vigor variety -- is…

This is of course partially true, but the notion that you can just decide to be the best version of yourself is a bit weird, as many factors outside your control limit your range of actions. As you mention, physical health is pivotal, and having poor physical health is going to limit you significantly. You can work on your physical health, but as with many low income people you may have to work hard for money and hav…

> You can work on your physical health, but as with many low income people you may have to work hard for money and have no physical energy left over for such feats

If you are physically exhausted from your work, you almost certainly exercised enough during that work to be in good physical health. The health problems of low income people are almost always caused primarily by nutritional issues (too much food, too little, or not the right variety, depending on the context).

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