What are the 7 Levels of Energy and How Can They Affect the Survivorship Stage?

Every one of us has all 7 energies within us at all times – and each can be useful, depending on the circumstances going on in your life. Some are anabolic (related to knowledge, openness, creativity), while others are catabolic (associated with stress, grief, anger, and more). As you move through the seven levels, which can change throughout a day, week, month, and so on, it’s important to try to achieve the level that best suits your needs at the time. 

When it comes to cancer survivorship, it’s beneficial to work through the catabolic states of energy to get to anabolic levels where you can begin to experience life as positive and encouraging. In these states, you can begin to feel a sense of control of your own life, where you’re making choices that help you and those around you. 

Here are three ways to help you reach productive levels of energy as you work through the challenging (but ultimately rewarding) process of cancer survivorship: 

Be Kind to Yourself

Take time to do the things that fill you, and not to do things that detract from you. Make a list of all the things you enjoy, and be sure to consider things that make you happy while also positively affecting others around you. Then start acting on this list! Don’t hold yourself back by denying yourself the things you truly love. These things provide you with good energy and that’s incredibly useful! 

Create a Supportive Environment

The people around you are more important to your well-being that you might think. Make sure you surround yourself with a supportive bunch. That includes medical personnel, friends, family, clergy, and others. Be active in seeking out relationships and professional connections that enrich your life. 

Begin to Journal

Keeping track of your daily activities, feelings, and thoughts is a wonderful way to reflect on all you have, and is a great way to actively monitor your energy levels. Not feeling great one day? Write about it! Feeling wonderful the next? Write about that, too! Days and weeks and months down the road, you can look back at your journal, and you might be able to see patterns related to your energy levels. Even if not, journaling can provide a daily form of catharsis that will keep your mind alert and clear.