5 Not So Obvious Things That Could Be Draining Your Energy
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Are you tired all the time, feeling low on energy more often than not? Perhaps you're frustrated with having fantastic ideas but lacking the energy to bring them to fruition. Or your energy levels are so depleted that the creative spark has fizzled out entirely.
While most people's lack of energy often has multiple reasons and varies dramatically between individuals, some factors are commonly overlooked.
In this blog discover 5 not so obvious things that could be draining your precious energy supply:
What you’re listening to
How you start your day
Ignoring your social energy gauge
Toxins
Clutter
Energy is everything. With it, we can achieve anything we set our minds to. Without it, even the basics in life can seem like hard work. But it's only when tired becomes your default setting that you realise how vital great energy is. The good news is we all can boost energy naturally; great energy is always available to us …
Yep, you heard right, even you!
I know sometimes it may seem hard to believe, especially when you're struggling to keep up with life and questioning whether it's normal to feel tired every day. Our natural state is actually one of abundant energy, but life happens, and our valuable reserves become hijacked. Before we know it, our energy battery is running on empty.
The first step to achieving sustained natural energy is finding what's draining yours.
When asking the question "What do you think is impacting your energy?" often people are very aware of things like nutrition, exercise, sleep, but some significant things frequently get missed. The not so obvious energy zappers!
1. What you're listening to: the subtle influence of emotion
The most significant influence on energy is emotion. In fact, emotion is energy. Energy in motion. And what you listen to daily affects your emotions, whether you know it or not.
“The voices, media messages, stories, music, and opinions you absorb can either lift or bring you down. Sometimes the shifts in energy caused by what you’re hearing are very subtle, but once you become aware, you’ll start to notice.”
What do you listen to daily?
The news? TV shows with bleak storylines? Gossip? Conversations focused on lack, comparison, judgement, and what's not right in the world. Angry or sad song lyrics?
If this sounds like you, you're not alone, but if you're wondering why you constantly feel tired and have no energy, your listening choices could play a part. Once you become conscious and break the pattern, even just for a short time, you'll feel the difference.
Choose to fill your ears, heart, and mind with something new for seven days. Inspiring voices, messages focused on hope, joy, passion, growth, fun, appreciation, comedy, things that make you laugh out loud, tunes with an uplifting vibe, or people celebrating all that is good with the world, then notice how your energy changes.
We're so blessed to live in a time when we have access to listen to anything we choose at the push of a button. Why not make the most of it and fill your playlists with podcasts, audiobooks, music, YouTube videos that generate more of the high-vibe emotions?
2. How you start your day: setting the tone
You’ve heard the saying “Start as you mean to go on” right?
The first hour after you open your eyes is THE most important. How you spend that hour will either supercharge you for an energised day or hijack your most valuable resource before you even set your feet on the ground.
Stress is the number one energy hijacker. New research shows us the impact of stress on your physiology is detrimental in many ways; according to the findings of a 2021 study, cumulative stress shortens your lifespan [1]. Yet many people are igniting that stress response within minutes (or even seconds) of waking; for many, the worries of life are in their minds before they've even gone to the bathroom or brushed their teeth.
How do your mornings usually go?
Are you immediately diving into your phone, bombarded by messages and social media, already stressing about yesterday's events and today's to-do list? If so, you activate your sympathetic nervous system, flooding your body with cortisol and depleting your energy reserves before the day begins.
The 'stress response,' known as fight or flight, is a natural survival mechanism. When triggered, the sympathetic nervous system activates, releasing cortisol and draining energy reserves to prepare the body for perceived danger. Though modern stressors differ from primal threats such as being chased by a wild animal, the body reacts similarly, interpreting external stimuli as stressful and responding accordingly.
“When you use that valuable first hour after waking to focus on the outer world, you deplete energy before you’ve even started your day.”
Instead, use that first hour to focus inward—engage in breath work, yoga, set intentions, journal your thoughts, write a gratitude list, meditate, or start your day with a walk or run while filling your ears with uplifting sounds. These practices can supercharge your internal battery. Choose whatever helps you start the day fully present and connected to yourself.
By nurturing your mind, body, and soul with gratitude, movement, and mindfulness, you’re tapping into a powerful recharge, preserving energy for what truly matters in life.
Make a promise to yourself: no smartphone or device until you’ve reset your energy and truly checked in with yourself. Make you the first priority of the day so you can show up fully charged and have more to give to everything else
3. Ignoring your social energy guage
Overlooking your limits when it comes to spending time with others can seriously drain your vitality.
We all have a social energy gauge, an internal measure that signals when we've reached our limit with social interactions or when we need more connection. Ignoring this gauge can have serious consequences, draining our energy and leaving us feeling exhausted and overwhelmed.
Whether you're an introvert who needs solitude to recharge or an extrovert who thrives on social engagement, neglecting to listen to your social energy levels can lead to burnout, stress, and a diminished sense of well-being. It's crucial to recognise and respect your social energy gauge to maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle.
Understanding whether you lean more toward introversion or extroversion is a key part of the energy puzzle for some.
Why does this matter?
Because these traits shape how you respond to your surroundings and how you recharge your energy [2]. In other words, they influence your appetite for social interaction and determine whether you thrive in solitude or in the company of others. Recognising where you fall on this spectrum can help you manage your social energy more effectively, ensuring you stay energised and balanced.
Introverts are sensitive to stimulation. If you're an introvert surrounded by people all day, if you're required to interact constantly, talk, and listen without sufficient time and quiet space to recharge, you'll feel depleted of energy. Introverts need peace, calm, and alone time to recharge.
Extroverts are the opposite. They thrive from external stimulation and are at their most energised when surrounded by people. If you're an extrovert and spend large amounts of time alone, you're likely to feel the effects on your energy levels.
Knowing your personality type and finding ways to create an aligned lifestyle will go a long way to unlocking more natural energy and living with vitality. To discover more, try this quiz, the Quiet Life Commmunity, founded by Susan Cain, provides many insights into the superpower of intoverts.
Discover more about syncing your lifestyle with your natural rhythms and cycles in my article, Are You In Tune With Your Natural Rhythms?
4. The toxic toll: how toxins drain our vitality
Environmental Toxins: Our modern world is laden with environmental pollutants, from air and water pollution to industrial chemicals that can impact our health and well-being, including interference with our mitochondria, responsible for so much of our health, including being critical to energy function [3]
Constant exposure to these toxins can disrupt our body's natural balance and sap our energy levels, leaving us feeling fatigued and depleted. Often, we're oblivious to the toxins around us. They are mostly unseen, and some are impossible to do anything about. However, others are in our control, so I'm a total advocate for raising awareness and minimising toxins in our lives where we can.
For example, the use of chemical parasite prevention treatments for pets is significantly impacting our environment. A 2021 study highlights the impact toxins are having on our environment, notably the rivers and water system in the UK [4]. Taking a natural approach to parasite prevention for your pets is one simple way of minimising toxin exposure to you, your family (including your four-legged family members), and the environment.
Cleaning Products: Many household cleaning products contain harmful chemicals that can leach into the air and be absorbed through the skin, impacting our overall health and energy. Opting for natural, eco-friendly cleaning alternatives can help reduce exposure to these toxins and support our energy levels.
Herbicides and Pesticides: The use of herbicides and pesticides in agriculture exposes us to harmful chemicals that can disrupt our hormonal balance and impair our energy production processes. Choosing organic produce whenever possible can minimise exposure to these toxins and promote better energy and vitality.
Toxic Energies of Other People: Just as physical toxins can impact our energy levels, so too can negative energies from other people. Toxic relationships, stressful interactions, and emotional vampires can drain our energy reserves and leave us feeling exhausted. Setting boundaries, practising self-care, and surrounding ourselves with positive influences can help protect our energy and maintain our vitality.
Regular detoxification practices can help rid our bodies of accumulated toxins and restore our energy levels. From eating a clean, nutrient-rich diet to engaging in sweat-inducing exercises like sauna sessions, hot yoga, or digital detox, there are many strategies we can employ to support our body's natural detoxification processes and boost our overall energy and well-being.
5. Declutter your space, energise your life
Clutter isn't just about untidy rooms or overflowing closets; it extends far beyond physical mess into the realm of mental and emotional chaos.
The impact of clutter on our energy levels is profound, affecting our ability to focus, feel motivated, and experience a sense of calm. When our living spaces are cluttered, whether piles of paperwork, unworn clothes, or miscellaneous items scattered about, it creates a visual distraction that can overwhelm our senses and drain our mental energy.
For example, a study published in the journal Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin in 2010 revealed that women who perceived their homes as cluttered were more prone to feel constantly tired and show signs of depression [5].
Subconsciously, clutter signals to our brains that there are unfinished tasks, leading to increased stress levels and a constant feeling of being weighed down. This mental clutter can spill over into other aspects of our lives, hindering productivity and creativity.
Life is fundamentally driven by energy, a concept embraced spiritually and in traditional practices like Traditional Chinese Medicine. We and everything around us are made of energy, which flows constantly. This energy flourishes in open, unobstructed spaces, allowing smooth movement and vitality. However, clutter disrupts this flow, impacting our energy levels and overall well-being.
This phenomenon aligns with principles in Chinese medicine, which emphasises the importance of harmonising energy flow for overall health and vitality. But, more importantly, it intuitively makes sense to me. I urge individuals to trust their gut instincts when exploring energy improvement techniques; don't rely solely on my advice. Consider the feeling you experience after a thorough spring cleaning—do you feel a sense of reduced stress, enhanced relaxation, and positive thoughts?
Of course there are many, many more energy hijackers in life. Some are more obvious than others. I'd love to hear your thoughts, experiences, and ideas on this topic. What do you think are the main things that affect your energy? Feel free to comment below.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Pay attention to how you feel in social situations to determine your personality type. Do you feel energised and invigorated after spending time with others (extrovert), or do you feel drained and need alone time to recharge (introvert)?
To discover more, try this quiz, the Quiet Life Commmunity, founded by Susan Cain, provides many insights into the superpower of intoverts.
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The things that drain your energy can vary from person to person, but common culprits include:
Negative thinking patterns.
Excessive screen time.
Lack of physical activity.
Poor sleep habits.
Unhealthy dietary choices.
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One key habit to break for more energy is procrastination. Putting off tasks can lead to stress and anxiety, draining your mental and emotional energy. You can conserve energy and feel more accomplished by tackling tasks promptly and efficiently.
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You feel better after decluttering because it removes physical and mental distractions, allowing for better focus and relaxation. A clutter-free environment promotes a sense of calm and order, reducing stress levels and enhancing overall well-being. To discover more, read the section, 'Declutter Your Space, Energise Your Life', in the above article.
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Harvanek, Z.M., Fogelman, N., Xu, K. et al.(2021). Psychological and biological resilience modulates the effects of stress on epigenetic aging. Transl Psychiatry 11, 601. Doi: 10.1038/s41398-021-01735-7
Isabel Briggs Myers. The Preferences. Myers & Briggs Foundation. Accessed May 2024.
Zolkipli-Cunningham Z, Falk MJ. (2017). Clinical effects of chemical exposures on mitochondrial function. Toxicology. 391:90-99. doi:1016/j.tox.2017.07.009
Perkins, R., Whitehead, M., Civil, W., Goulson, D. Feb 2021. Potential role of veterinary flea products in widespread pesticide contamination of English rivers. Science of the Total Environment; 755(1):143560. Doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143560
Saxbe DE, Repetti R.(Jan 2010). No place like home: home tours correlate with daily patterns of mood and cortisol. Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 36(1):71-81. Doi: 10.1177/0146167209352864.
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