Life engenders life. Energy creates energy. It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich. - Sarah Bernhardt French actress (1844 - 1923)

Ever have one of those "I feel blah" days?

Before I learned about emotional intelligence, those days baffled me. I knew there must be something going on inside me, but I just couldn’t focus and bring it into my awareness.

Working to become a more emotionally intelligent healthcare leader, I learned that these "blah" feelings are an important signal. "Blah" is a reminder that I’ve allowed the problems of the world, my work, and my personal life to steal energy and suck my spirit dry. The feeling tells me I'm out of balance, and I probably have not been practicing my Rituals of Renewal.

Rituals of Renewal are simple actions that restore energy and vitality. They assist you in revitalizing and renewing your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual sense of alignment and energy. They are essential to manage the pressures and stresses of working in this field, and they are easy and fun.

Rituals of Renewal typically take anywhere from 10 seconds to 2 minutes, and using these rituals every hour can DOUBLE your level of energy and focus. While I can't tell you a specific Ritual of Renewal that will work for you, I recommend the following simple and powerful formula in designing your own:

• Reflect
• Exercise
• Nourish
• Engage
• Wacky

Reflection is difficult because it requires us to shut off the world (cell phones, pagers, e-mail), no easy task these days. However, renewal requires moments of reflection to quiet our thoughts and emotions and to allow for learning. Reflection can take many forms, the essence of which is time alone and preferably in silence. Don't reflect on things outside of you; reflect on you, how you are doing at this very moment. Turn your attention inward.

Exercise is required for our body and mind to be at its best. It helps to reduce tension and to oxygenate our bodies and minds to increase energy. I advocate regular exercise that builds one's physical endurance, however you can quickly get a sense of renewal just by taking a few moments to get out of your chair, stretch your muscles, and take a short walk, and focus on your breathing. You'll find that you have more energy and a renewed ability to focus on the tasks at hand.

Nourish your body with healthy food, snacks, and water. Your body needs nutrients to supply physical and mental energy. Snack on balanced and natural foods such as fruits, vegetables and nuts; avoid foods heavy in sugar and fats. Your emotional self needs nourishment too -- and feelings of appreciation and caring provide that boost.

Engage in activities and with people you love! It’s not uncommon to go through an entire day and not engage with something or someone you love. If your day is filled doing things you don't love it will zap your energy and drain your emotional bank account. At least one time per day spend time doing or being with someone you love. Give whatever or whoever your full loving attention; it will fill you with a sense of warmth and purpose.

Wacky time is fun time. Kids laugh a few hundred times a day, adults average in the low teens! Find time to laugh at your self, with someone else or at some absurdity in the world. Read the cartoons in the newspaper, ask your team to take turns telling a joke pre or post your meetings, challenge colleagues to make you laugh, or find some other way to bring humor into your day. You will find it energizing, relaxing, and renewing. I suggest engaging in a bit of humor before you transition from work to home; it will help you relax and you'll approach your loved ones with a fresh and energized you!

Renewal is essential in creating and maintaining the energy we need to engage with caring and clarity. Unpleasant or "blah" feelings are a great reminder to take action -- rather then spreading those blahs, use them as a trigger to change your state. Your personal Rituals of Renewal will help restore your energy, but only if you take action. Remember: RENEW your way to high EQ!

Your partner in EQ,

Tom Wojick is Senior Consultant for Six Seconds' Institute for Healthcare Leadership, a nonprofit organization bringing 35 years of emotional intelligence expertise to improve leadership, enhance climate, and reduce turnover.