110 – 5 energy vampires making you tired

Hello loves, is it too late to say happy 2024?

As we approach the end of January, many people have given up on their New Year’s resolutions long ago. Quite often, resolutions are set that are a little too pie in the sky and quickly become too much hard work and feel like they are no longer fun or easy enough to work towards. Not that goals should be easy, but fitting them into your life should not bring more hassle than it’s worth. If it is, your priorities might be a little off, or some conversations might still need to be had. The other mistake that can be made, and I have done this myself, is to set too many, and too different ones. Often contradictory. For instance one year I wanted to train for a fast-paced half-marathon, but I also wanted to focus on ballet. The two do not go hand-in-hand for the poor leg muscles learning to switch between the fast and slow twitches, and also actually having any decent time to recover.

For a while now I have set my intentions at the winter solstice for the coming year. 

I don’t follow the typical new year resolution format. I always pick a goal word, however. And the new one is “fun”. When picking a goal word, it’s important to pick the right word. For 2022 I chose “discomfort” because I knew I’d be having surgery, and all that followed in recovering from officially becoming a childless woman. I ended up having a year from hell. 2023 wasn’t much better either.

The day-job has been intense this month. So much so that my business took a back seat. Not something I’m feeling good about, but when it comes to energy, and paying bills, I focused on what was necessary. And, this time round, I prioritised fun. I couldn’t bring myself to be on a screen any longer than I had to be, and that included social media. I have been surrounding myself with people I have fun with, and I have had a lot of laughter this month.

Also when picking a goal word, it’s important the action goals, and habits line up with it. Fun, for me, is an energy. I want to do something every day that brings fun into my world. It could be something huge like climbing a mountain (yes, that’s fun for me), or smaller like playing with Archie pup in the front garden.

There are a few habits that many of us have that are energy vampires. 

Leaving us feeling like our tank is always on empty. When our various illnesses have us feeling like we’re running on fumes anyway, we don’t need to make it worse by choosing these habits.

Energy vampire number one is your unhealthy diet

I get it. When we feel awful because we’re feeling unwell, the last thing we want to do is cook anything. When I’m feeling poorly, or the hormones are raging, all I want is sugar! Or crisps. Or pizza… Eating unhealthy food drains your energy. It might give you a quick boost but it’s not long-lasting. I meal prep and batch food for the freezer for the days I’m unwell. But when those days were most of the time and I lived on ready meals I’d choose the ones that had lower sugar in them. I couldn’t care less about low fat. The brain needs fat, and the more fat they remove to make it low fat, the more sugar they add. So if you make one choice towards a healthier diet, cut back on the bad sugars.

Next is your sedentary lifestyle

I know, it seems counterintuitive, and the last thing you want to do is move around. But hear me out. Lack of physical activity can actually make you feel more tired. When you sit for long periods, your body goes into ‘rest’ mode which can lead to feelings of lethargy and sluggishness. On the flip side, regular exercise increases blood flow and oxygen levels in the body, which can help to boost your energy levels.
A study from the University of Georgia found that sedentary people who started a regular, low-intensity exercise regimen reported a drop in their fatigue levels compared to those who did nothing. Even if that’s a bit of housework, a stretch on the sofa, or bed yoga. Anything to get the muscles moving.

Third, is your dehydration

This is something I’ve been guilty of in the past. I’d get so wrapped up in what I’m doing that I forget to drink.
But did you know that our bodies are made up of about 60% water, which plays a vital role in numerous bodily functions, including maintaining energy levels. So even mild dehydration can cause fatigue
In fact, one of the most common symptoms of dehydration is tiredness, alongside headaches and lack of concentration.

Next up – our own critical inner voice

Hands up who has the nagging voice constantly telling us we’re not enough? Not good enough, doing enough, being enough.
Did you know that our continuous self-criticism is not only emotionally draining but can also lead to physical fatigue?
Are you able to recognise that the thoughts you are having are doing you no good? Thank them for keeping you safe for so long, and let them go. If you didn’t have this belief about yourself, what would you have instead? Keep going til you make it a positive one.

Lastly, your excessive screen time

I’ll be the first to admit, my phone is never too far away. But all that screentime? It doesn’t help me when it comes to feeling energised.
You see, the blue light emitted by screens can interfere with your sleep cycle, leading to poorer quality sleep and increased feelings of tiredness during the day.
I started noticing it myself. On the nights I was scrolling through social media or binge-watching my favorite shows right up until bedtime, I’d wake up feeling groggy and unrested.
That’s when I know I needed to change. I started implementing a ‘tech-free’ hour before bed and the difference was noticeable.
If you’re like me and your screen time is through the roof, consider setting some boundaries for yourself. Your energy levels (and your eyes!) will thank you for it.

Success is a marathon, not a sprint. Go give yourself permission to rest. It’s not only okay to take a break, it’s necessary.

By being aware of these habits and making some changes, you can boost your energy levels and set yourself up for success. It’s all about balance and taking care of yourself first.
After all, you can’t pour from an empty cup, or a half-full one.

And remember, you are worth it, and you get to choose. Have a lovely day.