The main ties between stress and energy lie in the emotional connection between cortisol and our body. Without being too technical, the more cortisol (stress hormone) circulating in the body, the greater the stress. This can, and often does, lead to an emotionally drained state. But stress is often mistaken for anxiety (we sense we are under stress, but it’s really that we’re anxious, or fearful. This creates a different kind of energy in some people and is manifested in frenzied behavior.
Proven ways to increase physical energy include eating more regularly (at 2-3 hour intervals, thus minimizing swings in blood sugar levels), eating more nutritious foods (balanced meals help regulate blood sugar and energy levels), avoiding food and beverages that spike energy (sugary or other beverages that contain extremely high levels of caffeine).
Energy is related to motivation like enthusiasm is related to activity. Basically, we as humans, we do what we want and believe to be in our best interest. Things that we are motivated to do intrinsically (internally) are more compelling to us, and the more internally motivated we are, the more likely we are to do anything. In coaching I deal with this all of the time. Uncovering the real reasons we do what we do is the fundamental first step in a coaching relationship.