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I first met my coworker a decade ago when we were both 40. I understand that with my hormones and thyroid issues I cannot compare myself to him in any way. In the first 9 years, I witnessed how much energy he always had (he claimed to be that way at home too) so I was reading this article and the only factor that was 100% true about him was the standing up part. During those years he slept maybe 5 hours a night; he drank a lot of coffee; he drank water but not 8 glasses worth while at work; he didn't take breaks; his only exercise was an elliptical a few nights a week; he ate peanut butter on tortillas every day for lunch for years - is that "the right" food??
In the past year, his personal life has changed and he is now sleeping 8 hours a night - he says that pretty much as soon as he lays down, he falls asleep. He still has incredible energy all day long, always willing to help anyone with anything, never takes naps, is alert and aware of everything constantly. I've just never known someone like this especially at age 50 (almost 51 now). He does have sleep apnea. He was never in the military (I thought that might explain the falling asleep quickly). I'm guessing this is just a personality type? I would love to know or understand where all this energy comes from.
If there is anything important I didn't mention please let me know.
I am 65. I have never taken naps. I work out every day for my lunch hour. I drink about 64 oz of water a day. Until a year ago, I ran 3 miles nearly every day (hip issues which are now resolved).
50 years old is relatively young. When I was that age I ran half-marathons. I would not understand a 50 year old being low on energy unless there were some medical issues going on.
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I don't think I have high energy. But I'm 65, my wife and I walk 2 or 3 miles every day, depending on weather. We swim 20 laps, M-F in a 25 meter pool (about 1/2 mile). We try to make actual hikes of a couple miles about once a week when it's not too hot. I very rarely take naps, but I like my 9 hours. Early to bed early to rise...
I can't get up and down as easily anymore, so I avoid doing floor tile or crawling under cars if I can. My scuba diving and rock climbing days are behind me. But I can still out work any 25 year old gamer I've encountered.
45 years ago I jumped out of perfectly good airplanes as a paratrooper in the Army. That may be part of it. Paratroopers aren't like regular people, we are qualified and capable of doing... anything. We are experts on... everything. If things suck we suck it up and drive on. I believe mindset is a lot of it.
And we eat well. Fresh fish, chicken, veggies, fruit, soy, oats and chocolate chip cookies. And MRE's... Yum yum!
I think some people do have more energy than others. I guess I’m about average; I wake up kind of tired, but within 30 minutes or so I have energy. I don’t sleep as well as I should, and definitely feel beat by the end of the day often.
My dad, on the other hand, had incredible energy. He just never quit. He rose early and stayed busy usually until late at night. Seems that he could seldom just relax.
I used to take naps after work when I was in my 20s and 30s. I'm also a lifelong insomniac, and never tried to get treatment for it until I was in my 40s. Now that I'm appropriately treated for the insomniac, I no longer need to nap during the day. I get between 6-8 hours of sleep every night. Medicated, but it's better than not sleeping.
I have plenty of energy, I can still enjoy a night out dancing, spend an hour or two riding my bicycle every week, walk to our postal station and back (around 1.5 miles) even if it's 90° with 70% humidity, and have energy left over at the end of the week to weed my garden, the beds under the eaves of the house, and the neighbor's garden (while she's out of the country for the season).
It's well before most people retire. People can look very good and feel very good and be very healthy at aged 50. I'd call it middle aged. I sure wouldn't call it old. Unless I was twelve. Then everyone over 18 seems old.
The man's energy level doesn't seem unusual to me, judging from your description.
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