I believe that God's word provides answers to almost all (there are some things God reserves for Himself) of our questions and gives us the rules (yes laws for how we should live) to follow that will yield the best outcome for our lives. If you are going through a period when you need to renew your energy, consider the following.

Eat More Healthfully
"Now therefore, I pray thee, . . . eat, that thou mayest have strength, when thou goest on thy way." -- I Samuel 28:22

In our culture women especially are given the message over and over that being thin is the only body type that people will find attractive and that a thin body type is healthier. Because of that pressure to be thin, many women are literally starving themselves. The message is not to overeat, but to eat healthfully in order to have the physical strength we need to get through the day without feeling tired and worn out.

• Drink the recommended 8 glasses of water each day; dehydration leads to fatigue.
  
• Eat the recommended servings of vegetables and fruits each day.
  
• Limit sweet treats.
  
• Cut back on caffeine; limit soft drinks, coffee, chocolate, and some teas.
  
• Don't crash diet; it only slows your metabolism in the long run.
  
• Avoid fast foods as much as possible.

Get Enough Sleep
"It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep." - Psalm 127:2

We all feel the push to get more done--and get it done faster and faster. We think we need more time in order to meet the demands of housework, jobs, volunteer activities, family obligations, etc. To gain more time, many women cut back on sleep. That may be ok for the occasional deadline or emergency situation; but, as a day-after-day-after day lifestyle, it is a self-defeating strategy. Most people require about eight hours of sleep to feel refreshed.

Sleep deprivation is labeled as torture by the Geneva Convention for good reason. Over a period of time, sleep deprivation weakens our immune systems, lessens our ability to concentrate, makes us irritable, slows our reflexes, and even makes it more dangerous to drive. Getting enough sleep is critical to having ample energy.

• Don't sleep with the TV on; your brain will remain in a semi-alert state all night trying to process the sounds and the flickering light--bottom line is you won't get a quality night's sleep and you won't feel refreshed in the morning.
  
• Plan something restful in the 30-minutes before lights out; read, write in your journal; snuggle with your spouse; sip chamomile tea, take a warm bath, etc.
  
• If you have a new baby in the house or are the main caregiver for an elderly or ill relative arrange some time off to sleep. Many of us think its ok to get someone to "cover" for us so we can run errands, but we feel guilty if we use the "time-off" to sleep!

Seek Joy
"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." - Proverbs 17:22

Look for the joy in each day. If you are in a situation that causes a lot of stress--marital problems, financial issues, unpleasant work situation, serious health concerns, and the like--you will have to work at finding joy.

Be careful not to let a bad mood or a disappointment, or even a series of disappointments put you in a perpetual funk. Be determined to minister joy unto yourself. Happy people are energetic people. We know that laughter, smiles, and inner peace (serenity) are important for good mental and physical health. Remember that finding joy does not have to cost a lot of money and "things" usually don't bring lasting joy.

• Watch the sunrise.
• Get up half an hour earlier to pray and meditate on God's word.
• Watch a "clean" comedy show.
• Put on a favorite CD and dance for a few minutes.
• Buy an inexpensive bouquet and keep them on your desk (or anyplace where you will see them frequently).
• Ask a child to tell you their favorite jokes.
• Do an un-requested, unexpected favor for a friend or family member.
• Read your favorite book again.
• Practice "happy talk" - look in a mirror for three-to-five minutes each day and compliment yourself; finish by stating one thing you can truly thank God for and then thank Him!

About the Expert: Olivia Thomas, CEO & Creative Director of Quicksilver Creative, has been a Christian for 38 years. She believes Jesus when he said, "Feed my sheep." and takes that literally, by supporting Christian outreaches that feed the hungry including Second Harvest, the Mississippi Food Network, and The Gleaners. Olivia has been married to Louis Thomas for more than 25 years and they are the proud parents of two children, Jonathan Drew and Sara Kathleen. Olivia is gifted to provide counsel, practical support and guidance in helping others develop and realize their dreams and achieve their visions. Her company Quicksilver Creative Inc., works successfully with a variety of businesses, but has a special affinity for community-based service organizations. For more info contact othomas@qcreativeinc.com or visit www.qcreativeinc.com.