Senseless daily habits that drain our energy: you may have them too

Watching emotionally intense shows

Shows that require you to empathize with characters can lead to emotional exhaustion. People who binge-watch such programs often absorb the emotions of the characters. While this can enhance empathy and broaden one's perspective, excessive emotional intensity can lead to overstimulation, regardless of whether the emotions experienced are positive or negative. Be mindful of what you watch and pay attention to your feelings. If you feel overwhelmed after watching, reduce screen time and reserve such viewing for weekends.

Working at a messy workplace

Stacks of papers, unwashed cups, scattered pens, and candy wrappers all consume your energy. You become more easily distracted, have trouble focusing on tasks, struggle to find essential items, and become irritable. Completing basic tasks takes more time and effort.

Psychologists recommend spending 10-15 minutes daily tidying up your desk while listening to calming music. This will create a positive behavioral model.

Living by the schedule

Planning and structuring your day is essential, but there's a danger in overplanning and obsessing over the future, neglecting the present. Living life strictly by a schedule reduces motivation and causes mental exhaustion.

It's important to plan only mandatory tasks, leaving room for spontaneity and free time without obligations every day.

"Consistently leaving time open for hobbies, relaxation and nothing at all provides a sense of freedom and control for yourself," emphasizes Lippe.

Having too many open browser tabs

Having 25 open tabs not only burdens your computer but also overwhelms your brain. Switching between tabs gives a false impression of accomplishing a significant amount of work, but, in reality, it just exhausts you.

Psychologists explain that you can save or close any tab that isn't immediately related to your current task. Doing so can save your brainpower.

Answering calls immediately

Phone conversations are a necessary part of work and personal life. However, constant phone calls quickly tire you out, and your nervous system has to quickly switch between tasks, leaving you mentally drained. It takes an average of 20 minutes to fully regain focus.

If you're engaged in important work, think twice before answering a call. With family and friends, agree that they'll send you messages before calling during work hours. Calls should be limited to emergencies.

Jumping from one task to another

While writing an email, you receive a message on a messenger. You start jotting down an important note, only to remember that you haven't finished the email yet, and your brain begins to boil.

"In multitasking mode, your brain is literally working 'overtime,' thinking about what you're doing now and what you haven't completed. The more often this happens, the harder your brain has to work to stay focused, chipping away at your energy reserves in the process," psychologists explain.

Set up notifications to minimize distractions or strictly follow the rule: finish one task before moving on to the next. Finish the email and then open the messenger.

Procrastinating on small tasks

Responding to an email, changing a light bulb, scheduling a vet appointment for the dog – our brain is overloaded daily with multitasking. We try to do essential tasks immediately but keep postponing smaller ones, which accumulate in our minds and distract and exhaust us.

Each of these tasks takes no more than 5 minutes, so do them immediately. If you can't complete something right away, add it to your to-do list and clear your mind. Set aside 30-60 minutes once every couple of days for these small tasks.

Taking in unsolicited advice

Sometimes an outside perspective can see solutions and possibilities you can't, as you're immersed in the situation. However, critically evaluate each piece of advice and consider how it applies to you rather than blindly following it.

For example, new moms are often advised to sleep when their baby sleeps, but some moms struggle to nap during the day or need that time to take care of household tasks or work.

"This wastes time as well as energy, and can cause energy-sapping emotions such as frustration, disappointment and resentment," emphasizes Dr. Lippe.

Having long gaps between meals

The body gets its energy from the food we eat, and the supply should be constant. Each macronutrient - protein, carbohydrates, and fats - provides energy, but carbohydrates are the main and predominant fuel for our body.

Long breaks between meals deplete energy stores, which typically last for 3-6 hours. Hunger triggers biological and psychological mechanisms that induce cravings. This leads to a strong desire for carbohydrates, such as sweets and sugary foods.

Excessive intake of carbohydrates causes a spike in insulin levels. As insulin peaks after eating, blood sugar levels begin to drop, which can lead to physical fatigue.

Try not to go more than 3-4 hours between meals and avoid consuming products with high levels of "quick" carbohydrates. Opt for convenient snacks like protein bars, nuts, or peanut butter sandwiches.

Shallow breathing

Breathing is an unconscious activity, but people tend to breathe incorrectly based on the situation. For instance, when anxious or stressed, we tend to take shallow breaths.

"Shallow breathing reduces the amount of oxygen the body takes in and the amount that can be transported in the blood to our organs and cells for optimal function. It can also trigger pathways in the brain that exacerbate anxiety and trigger fatigue," emphasize medical experts.

Using unnecessary light at night

The impact of light during nighttime sends a signal to the brain that it's not yet time to rest. This suppresses the brain's release of melatonin, a hormone that promotes sleep. This disruption can disturb the sleep-wake cycle, lead to insomnia, and worsen sleep quality, resulting in fatigue.

For instance, falling asleep with the TV or computer screen still on and without setting a timer to turn it off can cause the screen to flicker throughout the night, leaving you feeling groggy in the morning.

Try to ensure that there are no sources of light in your bedroom during the night – no lamps, screens, or even the flickering of the power button, as it can all affect your sleep.

This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.