In the third part of this series, I’d going to delve into your daily energy levels. Make no mistake: a clear mind and healthy body are useless without some consistent energy to act as needed.
The goal is consistent, stable energy levels throughout the day without the rollercoaster methods frequently employed. We are looking for the vigor that allows you to make wise trades.
Let’s first go into the methods of gaining high energy levels which are often used and potentially dangerous to your financial stability as a trader:
Caffeine — I still use caffeine before a workout, and I have a cup of joe to start the day, but that’s about it. If I ever find myself needing more than that, it’s because something else if off. A great book on the topic is Caffeine by Michael Pollen. It gives a balanced review of the topic. If you haven’t had a coffee fast in a while, try a few days stint. You will sleep so much better and feel so much more alert. It’s amazing.
Energy Drinks — If you’re drinking daily energy drinks loaded with caffeine and other stimulants just to wake up and make it through the day, I urge you to reevaluate your lifestyle. The energy gained from these potions is fleeting and sets you up for the inevitable blood sugar crash that follows from the adrenal surge. The money saved by passing on these drinks could be much better allocated.
Pills and Potions — Contrary to the methods recommended by Mark Hanna in the movie, The Wolf of Wall Street, quaaludes, cocaine, alcohol, and the like have no place in a consistent, successful trader’s life. You know how the movie ends right?
Now let’s focus on the most important methods of solid, consistent energy — the ones that make the real difference.
Sleep — I’ll admit this can be the most challenging area for traders. Until you have five years under your belt, expect some rocky nights. If you’re trading too much in your account, you will consistently wonder how the overnight futures are trading, and you’ll likely check just to make sure. I’m convinced that staring at the chart won’t change things. If a great trading idea pops into your mind, write it down, then get back to the rack.
Getting regular rounds of deep sleep will make you a better trader. A cool, dark room with plenty of time allotted to get whatever makes you most alert is a must. If you know you need seven or eight hours, don’t skimp on it. I’m all for working passionately while you are working, but skipping sleep will, again, lead to poor decision making, like more energy drinks, sugar crashes, and impulse trading.
Exercise — It’s somewhat counterintuitive, but when you exert yourself physically, your body will crave sleep more to rebuild itself. We weren’t born to sit in chairs and pick food up supermarkets. Our tribe, historically, is one of hunter-gatherers. Long, laborious tasks are built into our gene pool. Tapping on a keyboard isn’t doing the trick. Treat your genes to a little activity, as I pointed out in Part 2.
Nutrition — I like food as much as you do, probably more. But after studying nutrition and teaching it much of my life, I’ve come to a few conclusions:
- The less food you eat the more energy you will have. Digestion takes up an enormous amount of energy.
- Food is fuel. If you owned a racehorse worth millions, would you allow him to eat junk food, mochas loaded with sugar, happy meals and the like? When you think of food as fuel and not just a means of immediate gratification, it has a new meaning. If it’s grown in the ground or on a tree, you are likely getting more nutrient-dense food choices. You have a billion-dollar body, so treat it like the treasure chest it is.
- Everybody and every body are unique. If you already know what foods are causing you problems, eliminate them. If you are not sure, some personal experimenting will reveal what may be causing problems. Eat only the food you want to test, then see how your body handles it over the next 24 hours.
- There is no law that says you must eat three meals a day. If we go back to our ancestors, it appears that rarely happened. Eating only when you are truly hungry is a good step towards maintaining a healthy weight. Overeating, as in the Thanksgiving feast, ultimately leads to the couch.
- When you are passionately engaged in what you love to do, you rarely stop to eat.
Napping — Who doesn’t like a break if it’s available? Rather than another cup of java, how about reclining for a short break to clear your mind and refresh your outlook. Many nations still take siestas after the afternoon meal.
Water — Most traders are dehydrated. One symptom of dehydration is fatigue. Caffeine is a dehydrator. Always have a cup of water available throughout the day.
Having a healthy body, clear mind, and abundant energy will lead to better trading decisions.
Enuf said.