How to live sustainably by balancing energy use and replenishment
The practice of sustainability involves consciously balancing resource use and energy replenishment. To be sustainable, we must avoid taking more than what can be naturally replenished.
To be in an unsustainable state means that an imbalance in use and replenishment exists, and that the resource source is being exploited and its resiliency damaged. The longer the exploitation lasts, the more damage is done to the health, wellbeing, and longevity of such an organism or organization. If not corrected, eventually severe imbalances will cause destruction of the organism or organization; for example, as in the case of the thousands of delicate species whose habitats are exploited for too long, and go extinct as a result.
When it comes to the lives of people, the practice of resource sustainability refers to human energy levels. Human energy breaks down into four categories: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual, and every category of energy is important to living a healthy and happy life.
To live sustainably means to consciously harmonize the drawing down and replenishing of each category of one’s energy. If we exploit our stamina, or energy levels, and neglect replenishment long enough, this unsustainable imbalance can lead to many different breakdowns, such as burnout, depression, panic or anxiety attacks, cardiovascular disease, and even death.
Physical energy: So long as we are living, we draw down on our physical energy. As we breathe, sleep, and eat nutritious food, we replenish our physical energy. If we unsustainably consume our physical energies without sufficient replenishment, our physical bodies will break down as a result, exhibiting signs of being exploited such as being too weak to move, falling unconscious, or perishing.
Mental energy: As we think and process mentally, we draw down on our mental energy. As we sleep, allow our minds to rest or daydream, and meditate, we replenish our mental energy. If we unsustainably consume our mental energies without sufficient replenishment, our minds will break down as a result, exhibiting signs of being exploited such as falling asleep, anxiety, and burnout.
Emotional energy: As we react emotionally to the world around us, we draw down on our emotional energy. Especially when we attempt to suppress, deny or avoid strong emotions, we expend even more emotional energy. As we sleep, do activities we intrinsically enjoy, and spend time with people we enjoy the presence of, we replenish our emotional energy. If we unsustainably consume our emotional energies without sufficient replenishment, our emotional capacity will break down as a result, exhibiting signs of being exploited such as pessimism, depression, and burnout.
Spiritual energy: As we question our purpose in life and reflect on what is meaningful or fulfilling, we draw down on our spiritual energy. As we feel that our outer lives are in alignment with our inner values, beliefs, and nature, we replenish our spiritual energy. If we unsustainably consume our spiritual energies without sufficient replenishment, our spiritual bodies, or souls, will break down as a result, exhibiting signs of being exploited such as Quarter or Mid-Life Crisis, depression, or burnout.
Our level of energy use and replenishment are dynamic depending on the circumstances of our lifestyles and mindsets in any given moment of life. Thus, whether we are in a harmonious, sustainable state, or exploiting our energy reserves is also a dynamic calculation.
While being in a temporary imbalance of energy use to replenishment is a normal part of life, as we remain in an imbalanced state our energy sources will begin to show signs of stress. The longer we exploit our energy levels, the worse these symptoms will become and the more difficult a recovery will become. For instance, skipping one meal is not highly exploitative of our physical energies and may create symptoms of mild hunger. It is easy to replenish the energy lost by simply eating a good meal. Yet, if we neglect our physical well-being for months or years, we may develop a far worse physical energy imbalance which is far more difficult or even impossible to remedy, such as adrenal fatigue, diabetes, or stroke.
Circumstances of our lives can also affect different energy sources both similarly and differently.
For example, sleep is almost always a great replenisher of all energies; except in the case of oversleeping due to a state of depression, in which even though sleep replenishes our physical, emotional, and mental energies, it can also act to drain our spiritual energy by degrading the meaning of life. Work can replenish our spiritual and emotional energies if it is meaningful to us and to others; however, if our mindset towards work is cynical, then work work can also be a drain on all energy areas and lead to burnout, anxiety or depression.
To live sustainably requires us to be in tune continually with not only our energy levels, but also our stamina.
Our unique nature and nurture imbue us each with inherently different levels of energy stamina. For instance, some people have a naturally higher level of emotional stamina. Others naturally have more physical stamina. That said, nobody has unlimited stamina in any area.
Our continually changing life experiences also affect our stamina. For instance, a bad breakup or the death of a loved one can cause a significant, short or even long-term shift in one’s mental, emotional and spiritual energy level as well as stamina. Such a life event can feel like pouring the water from a larger glass into a smaller one, while spilling out half the contents onto the ground in the process. Both energy and stamina can be regained (one can both refill the glass and move back into a larger glass), but this typically takes time.
We live sustainably by developing and honing our awareness of our energy levels and stamina.
We live sustainably by learning to realize when we have drawn too much and need to adjust course.
We live sustainably by knowing when an imbalance is unavoidable, and when an imbalance is within our control.
We live sustainably by learning to prioritize our long-term wellbeing over short term gains.
We live sustainably not by fighting the reality of our energy dynamics, but by consciously aligning our lifestyle and mindset with that reality.
Deepen your learning by reflecting on the following questions and taking action based on your learnings:
How in tune are you with the 4 categories of energy in your own life?
What does it feel like when your energy levels are sustainably used? What does it feel like when your energy levels are exploited?
On a scale of 1-10, where are your energy levels in each area now? What would it be like to be at a 10 in each?
How do you replenish your energy levels? How are your energy levels drained?
What is one actionable idea that can make your life feel more sustainable in each energy area?
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