5 things that drain your energy and are bad for your health
A healthy lifestyle requires plenty of energy, and it’s important to maintain that energy throughout the day. However, there are some habits and practices that rob you of your energy, or worse yet, drain your physical health. Avoid these things at all costs! Your life will be so much better without them!
1) Stress
Chronic stress can take a toll on your health, both mentally and physically. It can cause anxiety, depression, and even physical symptoms like headaches and stomach problems.
Not to mention, it can make it difficult to concentrate and be productive. If you're feeling overwhelmed, try to take some time for yourself to relax and de-stress.
Meditation is a great way to calm down and focus on the present moment. Getting more sleep can also help reduce stress levels, so set aside enough time each night to get 7-8 hours of sleep.
2) Bad sleep habits
Most people need around eight hours of sleep per night, but some people can function on as little as five or six. However, if you regularly don’t get enough sleep, it can take a toll on your health.
Here are a few bad sleep habits that can drain your energy and be bad for your health.
1-Drinking coffee in the evening: Too much caffeine can lead to insomnia, so it’s best to avoid drinking coffee after 3 pm. -Eating a heavy meal before bedtime: Some research suggests that eating a heavy meal before bedtime may cause difficulty falling asleep.
2-Spending too much time in bed worrying about your day tomorrow: The less time you spend worrying about what's going to happen tomorrow, the better chance you have of falling asleep more quickly.
It might also help to plan out what you want to do the next day while still awake, so there is less anxiety floating around in your head when you're trying to fall asleep.
3-Watching TV right before bedtime: Try reading instead! Reading is relaxing and often slows down your brain waves in a way that makes it easier for you to drift off into sleep.
It also doesn't emit any light that could disrupt your body's natural circadian rhythm. And no matter how exciting the show is, an hour of television should not keep you up all night!
Turn off the TV, dim the lights, and try reading for an hour. You'll find yourself nodding off within minutes! -Establishing a routine before bedtime: A great way to establish a routine before bedtime is by starting with an activity that relaxes you like taking a bath or reading. Once you feel sleepy, turn off the lights and go to sleep.
4-Keeping electronics out of the bedroom: Research has shown that electronics such as smartphones and tablets may interfere with your sleep by emitting blue light which prevents melatonin from rising naturally.
Plus, these devices release dopamine which keeps you feeling alert even though you may want to sleep. If you must use these devices before bedtime, it's recommended that they be kept far away from your eyes (like across the room) and put on airplane mode.
One study found that those who kept their phones away from their face were able to fall asleep twice as fast as those who held their phone close to them. So before turning in for the night, put your phone on airplane mode and move it far away from your face.
5. Making sure to maintain good sleeping habits throughout the week: There are many ways to make sure you maintain good sleeping habits throughout the week.
For example, if you find yourself staying up late because of one or two nights where you didn't get enough sleep, just cut back on how long you're awake during the following days. Alternatively, getting outside early in the morning helps reset your circadian rhythm so it helps promote better sleep during nighttime hours.
6. Setting a limit on the amount of alcohol you drink: Drinking alcohol before bedtime can result in disrupted sleep, so it’s important to set a limit on the amount of alcohol you drink.
3) Having too many friends on social media
It's easy to get caught up in the Comparison Trap when you're scrolling through your Facebook feed and seeing everyone's highlight reel. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy and loneliness.
Too much time on social media can also lead to less face-to-face interaction, which can further isolate you. If you find yourself feeling drained after spending time on social media, it might be time to take a break.
You can still follow your friends without being active users by viewing their posts via their profile pages or feeds. Limit yourself to checking in once or twice a day, preferably at times when you know there will be few posts from others (e.g., first thing in the morning or late at night).
4) Too much screen time
We all know that too much screen time is bad for our eyesight, but did you know it can also lead to headaches, neck pain, and fatigue? That's because when you're staring at a screen, you're not getting the chance to move your body or take in natural light. So make sure to take breaks often, get up and walk around, and try to limit your screen time to no more than two hours a day.
5) Putting off exercising
Exercise is important for maintaining our health, but it can be difficult to find the motivation to work out, especially when we’re tired. Putting off exercise can make us feel even more exhausted, creating a vicious cycle. It’s important to find ways to break this cycle and make time for exercise, even when we’re feeling drained.
Some simple steps you can take to stay energized include: walking around during meetings, taking regular walks outside, or going for a quick jog after dinner. You may also want to try adding some variety to your workouts (such as using weights) so you don't get bored too quickly.
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