One of the conditions which should be met so as to ensure that we have good health is the right levels of energy. We can get this energy from food and fruits. We can also get it from engaging in the right daily physical, mental and emotional habits. Energy keeps us showing up at our workplaces every day. When the levels of energy in our bodies are low, we underperform in our careers, personal health and also our relationships. There are three main types of energy which we need. These are physical, emotional and mental energy.
It is important to have high levels of all these on a daily basis. This allows us to experience fuller lives where we can pursue our goals and dreams with confidence. However, when we have low energy, we feel sluggish and bored. Many of us reach for quick solutions such as coffee and energy drinks. These ones only give us a few hours of energy and then we are back at square one. It is more effective to find out the root cause of lack of energy in our bodies. Here are 8 everyday habits that are draining your energy which you should know and avoid.
Not drinking enough water
Getting dehydrated is one of the most common causes of low levels of physical energy. It is a common cause of low energy among people all over the world. Our bodies are made up of 70% water. Therefore, our muscles and nervous system are in constant need of water. Electrolytes in the water such as magnesium and potassium are necessary for our bodies to work effectively. Without them, these systems get drained and reduce in efficiency. To avoid this, make sure that you consume enough purified or coconut water so as to provide your body with these much needed electrolytes. Avoid the habit of getting dehydrated and adopt one of consuming water throughout your day.
Suggested Reading : How to Prevent Dehydration and How Much Water Do You Need
Avoiding balanced exercise
This is one of the most common culprits of low levels of energy. It is highly important to ensure that you get enough balanced exercise. A balanced exercise routine is where your intensity of exercise and the amount of vital nutrients which you consume are equal. Examples of vital nutrients are B-vitamins and magnesium. Ensure that your exercise routine is just enough for your current diet to handle. If it is too much for you, your body begins to produce a stress hormone known as cortisol. This one further depresses your system causing low levels of energy. Get enough exercise for your Body Mass Index (BMI) and the fitness goals that you have. In addition to that, fuel your body with enough nutrients to help you to get there. Avoid the habit of over-exercising and adopt balanced exercise routines.
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Not taking breakfast
There is a reason why breakfast is referred to as the most important meal of the day. During the night, our bodies continue to burn the food and nutrients which we ate for dinner. This leaves it depleted by the time we awake in the morning. Breakfast jumpstarts our body's metabolism after getting a full night of good sleep. It also re-energizes our bodies. If you don't take breakfast, it will simply leave you with very low energy levels throughout the day. Thus, make sure you avoid the habit of skipping breakfast and adopt one of taking a heavy, healthy one every day.
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You take a drink right before bed
Majority of adults are in the habit of enjoying a drink after a day of work. They say that this drink assists them to unwind before they go to sleep. Unfortunately, this is a habit which can contribute to low levels of energy on the next day. Alcohol depresses the nervous system and relaxes you enough to fall asleep. However, as it is broken down during the night, it releases sugar which shoots a surge of energy through the body. This can wake you and leave you unable to fall asleep until the wee hours of the morning. This interrupt in your sleeping patterns can cause low energy levels. Thus, avoid that drink before bed so as to prevent a lack of energy on the next day.
Staying up too late
Entertainment such as television, movies, going out clubbing or simply a lively conversation with friends can cause you to sleep too late. This actively interrupts your sleeping patterns. If this happens and you wake up at your usual early time, your levels of energy on the next day are low. This is because you did not get enough sleep. You might extend your sleep and get up later. This goes on to make the situation worse by completely changing your sleeping and waking patterns. To avoid this, make sure that your sleeping time and waking time are regular. This is a sure way to eliminate the habit of staying up too late.
Suggested Reading : 8 Easy but Powerful Ways to Break Bad Habits
Not getting enough quality sleep
Our bodies need to rest effectively so as to recharge for the next day. Unfortunately, many of us are in the habit of burning the midnight oil so as to study, work or meet some other deadline. This may result in the tangible benefits which we seek but it will leave us drained of energy. Thus, it is important to ensure that we get enough sleep so that our bodies can repair themselves and we can relax enough to face the next day. It helps to ensure that your sleeping environment is conducive for this activity. It should be dark with no sources of light to distract you. It should also be relatively quiet. Doctors and wellness gurus advise that we get at least 8 hours of good quality, uninterrupted sleep every day. If you can include this sleeping schedule in your life, then you will be able to eliminate the habit of sleeping too little an adopt a new one of sleeping enough.
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Using your phone in bed
Our bodies are usually very sensitive to light. It affects our sleep cycles. Our bodies understand that when it is bright, we are supposed to wake up and when it is dark, we re supposed to sleep. Bringing along your phone or other electronics which produce light into bed actually affects our sleep cycles and we are unable to sleep. This results in later sleeping time, little sleep eventually and lower levels of energy on the next day.
Eating too few carbohydrates
One of the activities performed by people looking to lose weight is eating less and less carbohydrates. However, this approach is not good. Our bodies still need healthy, complex carbohydrates. These are found in abundance in vegetables and fruits. Complex carbohydrates are literally fuel for the brain. Therefore, when we have too little of them in the body, our brains do not have enough energy and the rest of the body follows. Therefore, make sure that fresh fruit and vegetables are a good part of your daily diet for you to enjoy high, healthy levels of energy throughout the day.
The Important Take Away
We rely on energy to power through our days and get work done. This energy comes from the food which we consume. It also comes from adopting healthy habits and dropping negative ones. Above are some of the negative habits that drain our energy. Learn them and avoid them so as to maintain enthusiasm, high energy and effectiveness throughout your day.
