Time to ditch what’s draining you!

Aside from weight loss, one of the biggest issues my clients have when they come to me is low energy.  Having the most amazing looking body is nothing when your energy is falling through the floor, and it literally impacts every area of your life.

So many of us feel like our energy could be better, especially if you are busy juggling your career, family and personal goals.  And if you have ADHD that overwhelm can leave you wiped.

As much as I use nutrition to support efficient energy production (and there is a lot that we can do to turn things around!) it also helps to address things that drain our energy physically, mentally and emotionally.

Perhaps there are some energy drains that immediately spring to mind; but if you need a little more inspiration, check out the list below:

Sedentary Living

As counterintuitive as it might sound, the less you move the more tired you generally feel.  Keeping active doesn’t just support fitness and weight loss – it boosts your mental energy. As you move, blood flow increases, oxygenating your brain and releasing endorphins and dopamine to get you feeling good and energised!

You don’t have to block off loads of time in your diary for this. In fact movement “snacking” is the only type of snacking I actively encourage!

Top tip:

• Set aside 5-10 minutes for a brisk walk, some air squats or yoga movements in the morning or even between big tasks (this can help with task switching for ADHD brains)

Stress

High levels of stress, especially ongoing or chronic stress, raises levels of cortisol in our bodies.  When kept high, this hormone disrupts our sleep as well as our blood sugar control – leading to those low blood sugar energy crashes.

Mentally and emotionally, stress can drain us too, and whilst it isn’t possible to remove all stressors from our lives – we can focus on how we manage that stress.

Top tip:

• When you are in the midst of high stress and need to find some calm, do some box-breathing.  This takes 2 minutes and is super simple to do.  Inhale steadily for a count of 4. Hold that breath for a count of 4.  Slowly exhale for a count of 4 (or go up to 5). Hold that out breath for a count of 4.  Repeat 5 times.

• Try short 5-minute meditations to help decompress your mind in the morning and before bed.

• Avoid high sugar foods, especially on their own (as a sweet snack).  This will encourage blood sugar spikes and troughs that can exacerbate the disruption. If you fancy a sweet treat, have it as a dessert after a meal rich in protein, fibre and with healthy fats.

Alcohol

An evening glass of wine might feel like a way to relax and unwind, but the reality is that it’s a massive energy drain.
Even that one glass negatively affects your sleep quality, hormone balance, and mood the next day, leaving you more and more depleted over time.  It also robs your body of energy producing micronutrients when your body tries to detoxify it out of your system. 

Top tip:

• Find another symbolic evening wind down ritual, like a herbal tea, hot bath, an episode of your favourite series.

Toxic or Draining Relationships

Connection is a very overlooked aspect of health and wellbeing.  Positive connections with friends and family can lift you; but others can start to suck the energy out of you.

For most of us, our free time and opportunities to socialise may be limited, and so who you chose to spend that time with is precious.  Friendships can evolve over time, and moving away from spending time with someone doesn’t have to involve drama or conflict. 

Top tip:

• You don’t owe anyone unlimited access to you.

• Establish boundaries where you need to.  Your energy and time is precious!

Clutter

Physical clutter = mental clutter.
Messy living and working spaces along with long to-do lists you keep "meaning to get around to" can steadily and stealthily sap your mental energy every time you see them.

Top tip:

• Choose one small area to clear this week. This could be as simple as your handbag, a kitchen drawer, or your phone’s photo roll.

• Clearing space externally can create surprising space internally.

Final Thoughts:

Energy isn’t just created by what you do. Energy is something that we can protect and amplify by removing certain aspects.

What can you commit to removing?