15 Habits That Drain Your Energy

If there was ever a time when we needed to bring our maximum energy to everyday life, it’s
present-day. After all, when the World Health Organization – pretty much the de
facto  international body on anything global health – calls stress a “worldwide epidemic,” it’s
time to pay attention.
Stress management is a skill that requires we be cognizant of our bodies. Unfortunately, not
nearly enough of us play an active role in managing our stress levels. This is a critical error; we
all know what stress can do to our energy levels.

In this article, we’re going to talk about 15 habits that drain your energy as well as share some
cutting-edge stress management tips. Try implementing one or more of these tips into your daily
life and see your life change!

FIRST, LET’S GO OVER 15 HABITS THAT WILL QUICKLY DRAIN

YOUR PERSONAL ENERGY LEVELS.
1. BAD DIET

Aside from water, food is undoubtedly the most important source of energy. Every part of our
body, from the brain and heart, the liver and stomach, to our muscles and nerves, needs nutrients
to survive. Our stomach digests the food that is eventually broken down into glucose and
pumped through our bloodstream. This glucose comprises a critical component of mental and
physical energy.
Energy management tip: First, make sure that you eat enough. You should be getting a minimum
of 2,000 calories daily under normal circumstances. Second, prioritize healthy and nutritious
(read: energy-producing) foods. Examples: lean meats, nuts, seeds, dark leafy green
vegetables, citrus fruits, soybeans, whole grains, and low-fat dairy.

2. MULTITASKING

Multitasking is officially a stupid and ineffective way to get work done. First of all, multitasking
– for all intents and purposes – doesn’t exist (unless you count walking while chewing gum or
some other monotonously simple task). Second, multitasking depletes your brain’s energy
reserves by forcing it into “task switching.” This is far from the living, breathing task-juggling
machine that “multitaskers” try and make themselves out to be.
 Energy management tip: This one is straightforward. Do one thing at a time. When the bottom-
up circuitry of our brain tries to interfere, simply redirect your attention back onto the task at
hand.

3. COMPLAINING

Is it easy to go off on a complaint-infused tangent in today’s world? You bet it is – and it can
even feel good, at least for a little while. But, according to a study published in the Journal of
Applied Psychology, complaining even once can send you down a steep slippery-slip of
negative thinking. Moreover, this emotional hijack comes at a high energy cost.
Energy management tip: Learn to express legitimate discontentment in a healthy way by getting
to the root of the problem and working towards a solution. You’ll find that redirecting your
attention towards something positive is both rewarding and far less taxing on energy levels.

4. DEHYDRATION

While you probably don’t need some study to tell you that dehydration can torpedo energy
levels, here we go anyways. According to researchers at the University of Connecticut’s Human
Performance Laboratory, a seemingly insignificant “1.5 percent water loss in normal (body)
water volume” – or mild dehydration – can handicap a person’s ability to think clearly.
Interestingly, the study notes “it (doesn’t) matter if a person … walked for 40 minutes on a
treadmill or was sitting at rest” – the damaging effects of dehydration on energy levels and
cognitive performance were the same.
Energy management tip: Most experts seem to agree that eight, 8-ounce glasses of water per day
is optimal (more if you are physically active.) An easy way to check your hydration levels is to
check the color of your urine. If it’s anything other than clear, you are probably not drinking
enough.

5. IRON DEFICIENCY

Per the World Health Organization, iron deficiency is the most prevalent nutrient disorder in the
world. An iron shortage in the body means that not enough hemoglobin can be produced,
deriving your muscles, tissues, and organs of oxygen. As a result, your body and mind can feel
sluggish and run down.
Energy management tip: Vegans and vegetarians are especially prone to iron deficiency, as the
mineral is most abundant in fish, meat, and poultry. Therefore, it is necessary to acquire iron
supplementation or a food substitute (e.g. iron-fortified cereal.) The RDA for iron between the
 ages of 18 and 50 is 8 mg for men and 18 for women. Over the age of 50, it is 8 mg across the
board. Women who are pregnant should get a minimum of 27 mg daily.

6. NOT ENOUGH EXERCISE

Check this: researchers say that regular, low-intensity exercise may increase energy by up to 20

percent while decreasing fatigue by 65 percent! Is any other explanation needed here?!
Energy management tip: Again, low-intensity exercise is far better than no exercise. Get out for a
45-minute walk, ride the bike, or take up a hobby that requires energy expenditure.

7. STARING AT YOUR SCREEN

The blue light emitted from cell phone screens messes with your body’s circadian rhythm
(sleep/wake cycle), making it more difficult to fall and stay asleep. Of course, anything less than
a full night’s sleep is counterproductive to energy levels.
Energy management tip: If you have a legitimate need to use your phone late into the night,
consider installing a “night light” for your cell. Some Android phones are even coming with a
built-in blue light blocker installed.

8. POOR POSTURE

More people may be guilty of bad posture than any other thing on this list. Poor posture drains
your energy levels by making you counterbalance uneven weight across your upper and lower
body. In other words, your body needs to make constant adjustments to compensate for your
lousy form. Moreover, slouching puts a disproportionate amount of pressure on your back and
spine, which can sap your energy.
Energy management tip: Learn to sit up straight. When you walk, try to imagine a parallel line
running from the tip of your head and neck down through your spine and lower legs. When you
feel that extra energy jolt you get, you’ll never go back.

9. PERFECTIONISM

People who are perfectionist are often inflexible, fear failure, and have an unhealthy need for
control. They attempt to overcome these feelings of inadequacy by trying to make everything
just right. Unfortunately, such an approach to life is both unrealistic and
exhausting. Research shows that perfectionist tendencies are linked to both chronic stress
and burnout.
 Energy management tip: The first step is to recognize procrastination in yourself. Contrary to
popular belief, perfectionists aren’t always “squared away.” For example, many adults coping
with perfectionism, due to their deeply-rooted fears of failure, are chronic procrastinators. Poor
grades and work performance may continue if one doesn’t take a proactive approach – usually
entailing things like meditation, deep-breathing techniques, visualization, and positive self-talk.

10. AFTERNOON CAFFEINE

Gosh, that cup of joe to get through the afternoon slump is so lovely, isn’t it? (This writer will
probably never give it up!) Unfortunately, according to a research team from Michigan, caffeine
intake within six hours of bedtime affects both sleep time and quality.

Energy management tip: Instead of indulging in a cup (or three) of java, try taking a short nap of
20 to 30 minutes. Hey, Google does afternoon naps so there must be something to them!

11. A MESSY DESK

Okay, so no messy desk research can pass the Einstein test, right? Perhaps history’s greatest
genius had a famously unorganized workspace (putting it nicely). But, according to Princeton
professor Sabine Kastner, clutter within our visual range competes with attention resources,
sabotaging our energy and cognitive resources over time.
Energy management tip: Heck, what can it hurt to give a tidy desk a try?

12. A THYROID CONDITION

A defective thyroid can manifest all sorts of symptoms, including low energy. Hypothyroidism,
an underactive thyroid, may also bring about dry skin, increased sensitivity to cold, sluggishness,
and weight gain. If you experience more than one of these symptoms, consider speaking with a
healthcare professional.

Energy management tip: Make sure you’re getting enough iron (see #5). Iron deficiency is one of
the leading causes – if not the  leading cause – of thyroid problems.

13. CABIN FEVER

Staying cooped up indoors isn’t conducive to high energy levels. It turns out that we humans are
nature creatures – and, by making us work in crappy offices – our energy suffers. (Gee, who’d
have thunk?)
 Energy management tip:  Per a series of studies published in the Journal of Environmental
Psychology, spending just 20 minutes in nature boosts feelings of vitality. Richard Ryan, lead
author and professor of psychology at the University of Rochester, says, “Nature is fuel for the
soul. Often when we feel depleted, we reach for a cup of coffee … a better way to get energized
is to connect with nature.”
Well said, good Sir!

14. SAYING “YES” TOO OFTEN

Some people (including yours truly) find it difficult to say “No” to people. In a perfect world,
people wouldn’t take advantage of such noble generosity. In our world, however,
per research out of Michigan State University, people who have issues with the n-word are more
at risk for work-related burnout and decreased productivity.
Energy management tip: The simplest way to overcome this problem is to overcome the wrong
view that saying no is somehow rude. Said politely, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with a
polite, “I’m sorry, but no.”

15. NIGHTCAPS

Relaxing with a cold beer or nice glass of wine after work can feel heavenly. That is, until your
body tries to initiate and sustain sleep. Even small amounts of alcohol – a glass of beer or wine,
for instance – is enough to adversely impact sleep quality.

Energy management tip: Save imbibing for the weekends, when possible. For work-related
functions and other celebratory events, try sticking with no more than one to two servings of
alcohol.