Energy Bandits

I have been dragging my feet lately.

Just feeling very sleepy.

So I started heading to bed earlier. But I still felt low energy. The whole thing seemed "off" to me.

So I looked into it. And wouldn't you know… there's way more to being tired than just sleep.

Check out this list I found of 7 common causes of low energy… 

Some of these downright surprised me. And I'll be honest, I'm guilty of 2 or 3 myself. 

Diet

Food is fuel. You should look at your diet as a primary way to keep your body and mind healthy and energized.

A healthy energy diet isn't all that different from the foods your doctor would normally recommend. So be sure to eat whole grains, produce, lean meats and complex carbohydrates like sweet potatoes, brown rice, beans or oatmeal.  

And try to avoid packaged snacks, in general, and overly processed foods. And wave goodbye to fast food. (That's my guilty pleasure!)

You're dehydrated

Reaching for a coffee to keep yourself awake isn't a bad thing but before you start brewing, ask yourself: When was the last time I had water? 

Stuff like coffee, soda or energy drinks will only offer a temporary burst of energy. Water is the best way to maintain healthy energy levels.

You're Over Exercising

This is a weird one. This is the case when there can be too much of a good thing. While staying active is part of an overall healthy lifestyle… so is giving your body time to rest.

Be sure to give your body some time to rest and recover. If you have to workout… target different areas of your body. So the others get a chance to rest. 

Not Exercising

This one is not so weird. As you know, regular exercise can give you the energy you need to make it through the day feeling alert and energized. Plus, you'll sleep better too. 

Stress

Chronic stress can take a serious toll on your body; it's been linked to a greater incidence of heart attack, stroke, depression, high blood pressure and headaches. As you can imagine, it also affects your sleep quality and energy levels. Stress is considered chronic when it lasts for several days or longer, or you experience several stressful or anxiety-inducing situations within a short period of time.

You're tired!

When was the last time you had a good night's sleep? If you're regularly going to bed late, waking up early, and prioritizing other things over going to bed, it will start to take a toll on your energy levels.

Medical condition or Medications 

Many of these are temporary causes of sleepiness & low energy, and can be easily fixed by changing your lifestyle. But, if your lack of energy is really affecting your quality of life or persists after making these changes, talk to your doc. 

Well, there you go. Some are obvious, others not so much. But I hope they help you spot some "sleepy" areas in your life — that have been robbing you of energy.