Are you constantly struggling with low levels of energy? You’re far from alone here. Plenty of people struggle to find the energy that they need to get through the day. Your energy levels can be impacted by a lot of different things in your life. That’s why it’s important to explore all the options if you constantly feel drained, whether you don’t have the energy in the morning or towards the middle of the day.
You might think that low levels of energy isn’t a serious issue. However it can be because it can stop you functioning effectively. This may mean that you have issues with your career or even your personal life. If you feel drained, then you are always going to be far more irritable throughout the day. So, let’s explore some of the key reasons why your energy levels could be low and the right steps that you can take.
You’re Not Getting Enough Sleep
If you are finding that you are tired a lot of the time then this could be down to your sleep schedule. If you are not getting enough sleep then your mind and body will quickly spiral out of control. As an adult you should be aiming to get around six to nine hours of sleep each night, if you are not getting this then you will struggle to get through the day. The effects of sleep deprivation can exhibit headaches, fatigue, and pain in your eyes. If you don’t want to experience these symptoms then getting yourself into a good sleep routine will help.
Turning off the technology and avoiding caffeine for at least a few hours before you head to bed is a great place to start with a solid sleep routine. It can be tricky retraining your brain not to fall asleep looking at a screen.
It is all well and good sleeping for six to nine hours, however, what if your sleep is broken? If you are not getting enough good quality sleep then this can leave your energy levels low. You need to figure out why you are not getting a solid night’s sleep. It may be due to children waking you up throughout the night or a dodgy mattress. It is a good idea to change your mattress for a new one every eight to ten years. If your mattress is old and outdated then this could be the reason for your lack of sleep at night.
Poor Mental Health
It’s important to consider whether your mental health is having an impact on your energy levels. This is a real possibility. For instance, you could be feeling depressed or anxious. If you are depressed, then you’re always going to struggle to get out of bed in the morning. You might feel lethargic or totally drained from the time that you wake up. Depression is described as deep periods of sadness that lasts for extended periods. Everyone has down days but if it’s beginning to impact how you live your life, then this is an issue that you need to pay attention to and should not ignore.
There are lots of options to explore if you are struggling with your mental health. For instance, you might want to think about speaking to a counselor. Support from a counselor can be the right action if you have been dealing with an issue like depression for a long time.
Stress
It’s also possible that you are stressed. Stress is always going to cause you to feel drained. The best way to tackle this is to think about your stress triggers. What issues are disturbing your calm thoughts? This could be related to your job or your personal life. It may even be little things that irritate you such as traffic. You need to find ways to cope with these occurrences in your life effectively so that they don’t become energy drains.
Issues With Diet
If you are not eating enough of the right types of foods then this can leave your energy levels extremely low. If you are relying on quick grab and go meals then these will not be very nutritious. However, if you cook your own meals and know exactly what goes into them then you will have much more luck with your energy levels.
When it comes to your diet you need to be thinking about healthy balanced meals that tick every food group. These include carbohydrates, proteins, fats, dairy, fruit, and vegetables. If your meals are leaning more toward the unhealthy side of things then you will notice this far more. Junk food should be enjoyed in moderation as these can seriously steal from your energy. If you want something quick and easy that will instantly boost your energy levels then take a look at making smoothies.
If you are unsure of what type of foods you should be enjoying then it may benefit you to speak with a nutritionist or dietician. They will be able to point you in the right direction when it comes to the types of foods you should be eating.
If you feel you are not getting enough from your diet then you could look into taking a supplement. Everything you eat contains vitamins and nutrients that will have a function for the body. If these are missing then your energy levels may be on the lower side. For instance, if you don’t eat red meat or vegetables then your iron count could be low. Taking a supplement or multivitamin will ensure your body is getting everything it is missing out on.
No Exercise
Finally, it’s possible that you have low levels of energy because you are not getting enough exercise. People often assume that a high amount of energy is going to make you more tired than usual. However, this is not the case. In reality, the right level of energy will ensure that you are more focused and alert throughout the day. One of the reasons for this is that if you exercise you will be tired out when your head hits the pillow at the end of the day. However, if you don’t exercise and remain largely inactive, then you won’t be tired. This is another issue that can impact your quality of sleep.
Ideally, you should be aiming to complete a solid forty-five minutes of exercise every couple of days. If you do this, then you’ll be able to ensure that your body is getting the right level of attention. The good news is that you don’t have to focus on intense forms of exercise either. Instead, you can consider exploring low impact options such as yoga. These can be incredibly beneficial because they will help ensure that your breathing is regulated as well. As such, it can ensure that your brain is gaining the right level of oxygen and allow you to think far more clearly.
We hope this helps you understand some of the key reasons why your energy levels might be lower than you would expect. If you are struggling with feeling drained through the day, then we recommend that you do take action, preferably before the situation gets any worse or it begins to impact your personal and professional life. For instance, you might want to think about speaking to a doctor. Don’t forget, while low energy can be an issue relating to your lifestyle, it might also be something like a hormonal imbalance. This isn’t something that you’ll be able to fix with the right lifestyle choices. Instead, you’ll need to get support from the right professional and you might even require medication.