The War on Fatigue: Part 2, The Solution

Pushups. Loud music. Yoga. Cold Shower. Running.

Fatigue is a problem that plagues us all. It gets in the way of us exercising, completing homework, applying for law school, starting a business, traveling the world, starting a music career, investing capital, going to the beach (to relax), and finishing the many projects we started long ago but can never seem to find the time to complete now. No wonder there's a $10 billion dollar industry revolving around The War on Fatigue. And that' no red bullshit.

Everyone wishes they had more energy. More energy = more time. More time = doing more things. Doing more things = living life more. And who doesn't want that? It's like my friend Josef once said to me about our intramural basketball team: "[We need to] pass more, shoot more, score more, win more." "More" of everything tends to be favored in life. The more the better.

I'm somewhat of a purist when it comes to substances entering my body. Generally, I try to stay as far away as I can from products overwhelmed with caffein, ginseng, and sugar. Diabetes is rampant in my family and I don't intend on encouraging Type 1 or 2 to become a part of my daily routine anytime soon. Whenever I need more energy in my day all I need to do is one simple activity: dancing. It'll snap you right out of whatever funk, slump, or chump mood you're in. Just get up, put some music on, and dance like your on the stage of Soul Train! Do this for about five minutes (if you're physically able to). By about the third minute you'll be telling yourself, "Man, I wish I was doing something sedentary like writing a paper or drawing a cartoon." When the fifth minute comes you'll be gasping for air; five minutes of straight dancing can do this to you. Benefits from dancing include:

• Trying out all your latest dance moves
• Getting to know one of your favorite songs better
• Working up a sweat
• Feeling rejuvenated

The first three benefits are more like convenient side effects. The real benefit you should be after though is the last one: "Feeling rejuvenated." It seems counterintuitive, but using up energy to dance will actually create more energy in your body and will zap your brain into becoming more alert. Think of all those beats you just hit! Your mind was really working at full capacity, that is, assuming you were trying to dance on beat.

You can use this fresh burst of energy towards whatever you like. Just don't get sucked into thinking that you're tired again. Then you're going to have to get up and dance to The Backstreet Boys all over again.

Problem solved. Don't buy energy. Create your own.

~Anthans

The War on Fatigue: Part 1, The Problem

Red Bull. 5 hour energy. Monster. Full Throttle. NOS.

Energy drinks have invaded our blood streams and drink manufacturers around the world are cashing in on it. Prior to Red Bull's debut in 1997 the world got by just fine without energy supplements: they just used coffee every morning. Well, it was either coffee or cocaine. Both tend to have overlapping ingredients as some energy drinks – the Red Bull in Germany – have shown us in the recent past.

When did everyone get so busy all of a sudden? Perhaps this point of view is biased, as I myself am not so busy at the moment. Nonetheless, today everyone seems to need a 5 Hour Energy fix or Monster hit before they can undertake any task, which might include physical and/or mental duties. Writing a paper, working a night shift, working a day shift, driving in traffic, paying attention in class, and working out. Doesn't anybody just smack themselves awake anymore? Or how about doing a few pushups? If you're strong willed and determined, you can overcome an addiction to any substance that companies are shoving down your throat.

Remember when cocaine and heroin were legal? Boy, those were the days. I certainly hope that energy supplements don't follow the same path and become outlawed. Although I don't use energy supplements myself, I sure do like what they do to other people. They keep them wired and exciting. I like being around those kinds of people.

I have a solution to solving The War on Fatigue. I'll explore it in detail tomorrow.

~Anthans

Hiatus

(Picture related)

Even while in remote locations like Las Vegas and Los Angeles, I still found the time and energy to blog 46 posts in a row this year. I consider this to be one of my greater feats in life as it has helped me immensely with other things. I did not write anything in the last two days and I have a good excuse, too. I'm not lazy, I'm just taking a much needed hiatus. Last week took A LOT out of me; you could say I gave it my all. I'll be back on the daily grind again though, starting tomorrow. Read ya then.

~Anthans

Throwback Thursday: I'm so Sorry

Apologies and excuses: we've all succumbed to these at some point in our lives. When we fall short of meeting a goal or expectation then apologies and excuses seem to make their way into our rationale of explaining our way out of things.

Although I was an avid student in college, I did not always meet my assignment deadlines on time. The following written work is not one of my proudest moments; however, I think it is worth sharing anyway. It is an apology letter I wrote to a TA for one of my General Education classes at USC explaining why I was so late in turning in an assignment. I drafted the letter in Word before I sent it via email, which should give you an understanding into the severity and seriousness revolving around a letter like this.

Appology Letter:

(circa late 2007)

Xxxxx,

Attached to my final essays you will also find my Research Paper that I never turned in. After I missed the deadline to turn it in I wasn’t really sure how I was going to get it to Professor Xxxxxxxx. He doesn’t have an e-mail or a number to be reached at. I figured that he would only frequent his box in the anthropology department that one time on Friday so I’ve been hesitant on where I should turn it in to.

If you could, I’m asking very kindly, please hand my research paper to Professor Xxxxxxxx. I know I will be graded down significantly for this, and there’s nothing I can do about that now. I am deeply sorry but I just want to turn it in finally to him. Thank you.

~Anthans

Competition

"Competition brings out the best in people — it also brings out the worst in them."

-Tommy

Competition among strangers is one thing — among friends is another story. Most of us play games just for fun; however, when titles, pride, and status are on the line, a simple game can turn into a complex battle of egos. Whatever the outcome may be, just remember that it's just a game.

~Anthans

Plan B

Plan B will always be preferred to Plan C, and Plan C will always be preferred to Plan D, and so on and so forth.

Plan A, as most of us soon discover, does not always work out. This is when Plan B surfaces. However, after you've been working towards putting your Plan B into effect for a while you'll notice that your Plan C starts to turn into your Plan B and that your Plan B starts to feel like your Plan A. Assuming you've gotten over it by now, your Plan A should feel like a distant memory. It is but a mere fact: let it be. Plan B should be your new Plan A.

Currently I'm in disbelief. It's not denial; it's my inabilty to accept a positive turn of events after a long drought. None of my plan A's have been working out within the last year. And because of this, any good news that comes my way seems to be out of the ordinary. My new Plan A (previously known as Plan B) might actually work itself out.

Your Plan B should never be resorted to unless you've tried everything in your power to carry out your Plan A first. The only way a Plan B can truly be called a Plan B is if you never try to live out your Plan A. Otherwise, B is the new A, C is the new B, and so on and so forth.

~Anthans

Pivotal Moments

The picture above is related; it represents the hope that glimmers behind a silhouette of despair. The tree's leaves have died for the winter whereas the sky behind it is full of color and life. The tree is an obstacle in my path and the luminous sky is the destination I desire. This is the same poetic vision that continues to surge through my mind as my eyes gaze towards the horizon. 

The next 2 days could decide the next 2 years of my life. 

~Anthans