Reclaim Energy from these Draining Habits

If you feel inexplicably tired much of the time and wonder where all your energy is going, it could be in some of the places you least expect: the little habits or routines that seem to be harmless or even the things you think you need to make it through the day. Here are some places you can start looking for some of that missing vigor and how you can get it back.

YOUR DIET

There are many culprits and solutions to be found here. Depending on caffeine and sugar to power through leads to energy spikes and crashes leaving you wrung out. Dehydration looms as a threat in summer and leads to mild to severe drowsiness. Processed and junk food lacks important nutrients to fuel your body’s processes.

The Fix

Eating meals and smaller snacks that combine protein with complex carbohydrates maintains a steady energy supply.

YOUR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Getting too little or too much can create issues. Along with all their other harms, sedentary lifestyles lead to fatigue because inactivity leads to higher heart rates and lower oxygenation in the blood, both of which make you more tired. On the other hand overtraining breaks down muscle and drains our energy reserves. You know you are overtraining if your performance fails to improve with increased duration and intensity of exercise.

The Fix

Start with some lowintensity walking, whichever side of the spectrum you’re on. This will boost your energy by increasing your oxygen levels and releasing energizing brain chemicals including cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine.

YOUR RELATIONSHIPS

Social connections are vital to creating a fulfilling life, but imbalanced relationships can come out of a myriad of circumstances. If you aren’t comfortable saying “no” when someone asks you to do something you really don’t have time for, that’s an imbalance that leaves you feeling tired as well as resentful. Spending time with overly negative people creates stress with no reward.

The Fix

Renegotiate the imbalances you find in your work and family life, and choose to spend your spare time with positive, supportive friends.