Top 7 Energy Crashers

Sharon Moore August 14, 2014

You’ve just had your medical check-up and the GP said you’re fine. But there you are again, feeling sluggish and tired when it’s just 10 o’clock in the morning! If you find yourself frequently experiencing fatigue symptoms, one of these top energy zappers may be to blame:

You’re into crash diet.

It’s true that losing excess weight can make you more energetic. But the wrong method can leave you feeling drained and exhausted. Crash diets, such as those that force you to eat no more than 500 calories, will make you feel even more tired. What’s more, they can seriously damage your health. If you want to lose weight, aim for a well-balanced diet and indulge in regular exercise.

You’ve got a lot of sugar in your breakfast plate.

Sugary breakfasts, such as processed cereals, toasts with sugary spreads, muffins and the like can fill you up, but only for a short period of time. Your sugar levels will slump just as quickly a couple of hours later, leaving you feeling sluggish and all. Jumpstart your day right by having complex carbohydrates and proteins on your plate. For instance, you can have beans, whole grains, oats, or whole wheat bread. A serving of fruit and vegetable is also recommended.

You rarely go out.

Whether you work from home, a full-time mom or suffering from allergy or fever, staying indoors can cause you severe fatigue symptoms. That’s because lack of light and fresh air is a key cause of tiredness. Instead of browsing the web during your free time or sipping coffee, go out for a 10-minute walk. Even if it’s cloudy, you’ll be exposed to more natural light than inside and you’ll feel more alert, plus, you get to take in some fresh air.

You’re worrying too much.

Constant worrying increases your heart rate and blood pressure, and tenses your muscles, leading to fatigue symptoms. Worries, as well as negative thoughts can really sap your energy. Schedule a worry-time so it doesn’t interfere with your daily routines.

You’re a couch potato.

Sitting in one position for long periods of time can sap your energy, even if you’re watching the TV or using the computer. Here’s the thing, your body equates the stillness with going to sleep.

You have poor posture.

Hunching forward and slumping in your seat, puts your spine out of alignment. The more out of balance your spine is, the more your muscles have to work in order to compensate. Whether you’re moving, sitting or standing still, always see to it that head is lined up over your body – not sticking out in front of it. Aim for your ears to be directly over your shoulders.

You’re exercising too much.

Regular exercise is good for you, but working out intensively every day may not be good for your energy levels, especially if you’re new to it or you’re trying to get back in shape. It’s okay to take a day off between strenuous bouts of exercise. But beware of leaving more than two or three days between sessions or you might fall out of the habit.