Have you ever wondered what draws you to certain people? Is it similar interests, personality, their “look”? You’ve had this experience before…someone walks into a room and you feel like the life has been sucked out of you. Alternately, you have a conversation with someone and leave the conversation feeling positive and energized. Why is that? Research is showing more and more that it is actually something that is a bit more elusive…energy, the new currency.

We have long known anecdotally that some people seem to give off good “energy” and others don’t, but is this actually possible? A biological research team at Bielefeld University has discovered that plants can draw an alternative source of energy from other plants. This finding could provide the evidence to show that people draw energy from others in much the same way.

Plants engage in the photosynthesis of carbon dioxide, water, and light. In a series of experiments, Professor Dr. Olaf Kruse and his team cultivated a green algae species and observed that when faced with a shortage of energy, these plants can draw energy from neighbouring vegetable cellulose instead and transform it into a source of energy that the algae can use to continue to grow. ‘This is the first time that such a behaviour has been confirmed in a vegetable organism’, says Professor Kruse. ‘That algae can digest cellulose contradicts every previous textbook. To a certain extent, what we are seeing is plants eating plants’.

“When energy studies become more advanced in the coming years, we will eventually see this translated to human beings as well,” stated Bader-Lee. “The human organism is very much like a plant, it draws needed energy to feed emotional states and this can essentially energize cells or cause increases in cortisol and catabolize cells depending on the emotional trigger.”

We are on the brink of proving that “Human can absorb and heal through other humans, animals, and any part of nature. That’s why being around nature is often uplifting and energizing for so many people,”

Interesting but what does it mean?

What if we used the new currency ENERGY to influence not only our health but the health of families, teams and work places? What if we focused on surrounding ourselves in our personal life and in our work places, with people who have high energy value or energy currency? What if we looked for connections that help us fulfill our own personal health or corporate health goals? Could we create happier, healthier lives? YES!

People contribute their energy currency in different ways. Some bring very negative, toxic energy; others bring positive, energetic, peaceful, compassionate or creative energy. Imagine if you could change your own energy and could connect with people who have the kind of energy you want or need in your life. Imagine if employers hired people on the basis of their energy currency, not just skill.

What are some ways to change or influence your energy currency?

• Start your day with meditation
• Listen to uplifting music
• Random acts of kindness
• Let go of your need to control
• Learn to see the positive in every situation
• Stop worrying about the future
• Drop the resentment
• Practice mindfulness and staying in the present moment
• Be in nature
• Nourish your body
• Nourish your mind-body
• Rest
• Touch
• Friends/family

Choose people in your circle with the right kind of energy, the kind you have or need more of. Consider limiting contact with those who have negative, toxic or challenging energy.

Reboot and recharge! Boost your energy currency and watch your life change! Need some help, let’s talk!