11 Bad Habits that Drain Your Energy

The energy drink market currently earns 7 billion dollars a year and it is expected to triple very soon. This number is mind-blowing, but it is not difficult to understand once you think about the reason for it. The companies that produce energy drinks use lots of sugar, caffeine and other legalized stimulants which society uses to solve the biggest problem of today: the lack of energy. People have gotten to a point where earning money is a bigger priority than everyday needs such as sleep and family life. There are lots of things we don’t have enough time for, and we usually sacrifice our sleeping time to do them. However, there are other things that can drain your energy and it is important to learn how to recognize and avoid them.

1. Worrying about the insignificant

People often think that small stuff are not worth the worrying, but when you are preoccupied with a lot of responsibilities, even the slightest issue can get you off track. Worry is genetically encoded in our DNA so we often worry about money, jobs, our families, our health and lots of other everyday things. The key here is differentiating the significant from insignificant things. If the thing is worth the worry, take action immediately. And if there is nothing you can change, let it go and don’t allow it to rob you from your energy.

2. Allowing the past to rule

You might have been through lots of difficulties in the past which may have left you with the burden of trauma. But, unless you let go of the past, you will never be able to embrace the present and future. Having emotional issues sometimes require professional help, so never be afraid or ashamed of asking for help when you need it. Always know that you are stronger than you think and you are more prepared for anything that waits for you.

3. Resisting change and growth

This can be a sign of losing control and excessive uncertainty. If you fail to realize your potential, you will never be able to focus on it fully. Practice the habit of focusing on your goals day by day and the more task-oriented you are, the closer you get to success.

4. Being involved in drama and negativity

Both can be internal or external. Regardless of the source, they have detrimental effects to your energy. Your negative thoughts don’t make you who you are. Our thoughts are impulsive but nature, so it is important to learn how to make the negative thoughts fade away. If the negativity source is external, you need to eliminate it completely or at least keep a distance from it as much as you can.

5. Using fear as an excuse

Fear is sometimes the only thing stopping us from achieving our goals. Confronting your fear is helpful for maintaining your energy but also for getting success. Fear is sometimes controlled by negative thinking, so once you include more positivity in your life you will be much braver. Focus on what you want in life and put all your energy into getting it.

6. Taking things personally

Humans are social creatures by nature and we often define ourselves based on the relationships we have with others. These relationships have different levels of intimacy and effectiveness, so there are people we are closer with and those we are not so connected to. But lack of connection with a person does not mean you dislike them. It could just be a thing of differences in your personalities or the way you interact socially. Never take those differences personally.

7. Remaining on auto-pilot

One study from 2010 published in Psychology today shows that human brains most of the time are on auto-pilot meaning they are wandering from one things to the other. But the most important finding of this study is that when people are on auto-pilot they are the unhappiest. So, be mindful of what you do and focus on the present. It is difficult, but as long as you put more thought into it, it will become a common habit that will bring you more energy and happiness.

8. Holding onto anger and resentment

Anger and resentment usually bring their roots from the past and are emotions that can easily be removed. Both are very counterproductive to your energy and are not worth the price of your mental and physical health. You can make room for more positive energy by letting go of anger and resentment.

9. Being in negative environment

Getting surrounded by negativity constantly should never be acceptable regardless of whether it is at your workplace, your home or someplace else. Take control of the situation and try to make a better change. Take small steps and gradually get yourself out of that negativity. If you feel your work is draining your energy and your ambitions, you can spend an hour daily updating your resume, getting new skills and updating your resume.  If your child is having trouble at school, spend more time and effort into discussing the importance of the situation with them. Taking the first step is hard, but it is necessary if you want to make any progress.

10. Not getting proper nutrition

What we eat is what our body uses for energy. You harm your brain and body by consuming processed, packaged, salty and sugary foods. You need to include superfoods to your diet in order to give your brain the nutrition it needs. Such foods are nuts and seeds, avocado, dark chocolate, pomegranate juice, whole grains, beans, salmon and blueberries. These foods can reduce your risk of serious health issues and also give you more energy.

11.Not getting enough sleep

This is not surprising but the number of people who don’t get enough sleep is getting higher every day. Having enough sleep is essential to our physical and mental health as well as to our energy levels. Sleep deficiency can lead to lots of health issues such as heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, stroke and high blood pressure. Sleeping at least 7-8 hours a day is necessary. If you need to accommodate your schedule, make sure you do so in order to have more time to get proper rest. Doing so will help you improve your overall wellbeing, efficiency and energy.