Hard work is the key to success right? If you want to succeed, you need to maximise your time and work as hard as you can. Work, eat, sleep, repeat.

Not only is that ridiculously hard, it’s probably really unhealthy. The first reason people have as to why this approach to each day is unhealthy, is the reality that people in this situation probably start to sleep less. Yes, this isn’t always the best idea, but not everyone needs 8 hours of sleep, some can function off 5. When it comes to sleep, it’s not always about how much you sleep, it’s about what you do in the day. If you are active and have a reason to be awake with energy, you’ll probably find it. So why is working hard and being ‘active’ all day a bad thing? Personally I believe it is just as important to ‘re-charge’ during the day by finding your release.

Before I get to my main point, I will mention the benefits of exercise. It’s proven that if you want to increase your energy, exercise helps! It gets blood flowing and your muscles moving. I won’t go into the science behind it (I’d be guessing anyway), however if you want to increase your energy levels, give exercise a go.

I believe, however, that as well as a physical aspect to get you moving and give you more energy, it is really important to get a mental re-charge. This is where your release comes in. Is there a hobby you have or sport you play where you find you can ‘lose yourself’? You lose any concerns, you either relax or fill with positive energy. I find these activities allow me to rest the part of my brain that I use to work. I might be thinking really hard on the activity, but it is a different form of mental energy.

For me, badminton is a big release. Playing for even an hour helps re-energise my mind, even if physically it has drained me. Another release for me currently is learning to play the guitar. I won’t lie, I’m rubbish, but I think that’s part of why I love it. I really enjoy spending five or ten minutes attempting to play a song. It’s a different challenge to that of my work. I have a friend that has taken up Salsa dancing and improv comedy as a form of release. Entrepreneur, Gary Vaynerchuck, travelled to watch every NY Jets game this season, despite constantly telling people they need to maximise their time. Why did he do it, in his words, it was the one ‘stupid’ thing he has in his life where he doesn’t need to worry. This is his release.

If you don’t have a release, try a few things out. It might really help!