Do you feel like someone has pulled your plug and all your energy has gone down the drain? Energy is something that a lot of women never have enough of! However, to make changes in our lives, to live life more fully, to begin to live the life we see for ourselves, will require energy. In this post, we will talk about plugging those energy drains. In a later post we will talk about ways you can boost your energy.
So, what are some common energy drains? Many of you know the answers and/or won’t like them.
1. caffeine I know, I am addicted to my morning coffee! I would like to eventually make the switch to herbal teas. Caffeine gives you a high but then your energy plummets as the caffeine wears off and it becomes an endless cycle. For some of you your beverage of choice may be sodas, they have the same effect! Just think about decreasing or eliminating these energy drains from your life. Be sure to wean yourself off or be prepared for a major headache for a couple of days.
2. sugar- guilty here as well! Sugar does basically the same thing. It raises your blood sugar for a sugar high and then crashes, sending your blood sugar and your energy on a roller coaster ride. Consider cutting back and not reaching for a candy bar or donut the next time you need a pick me up. Try a protein bar or an apple and a square of cheese instead. You don’t get the huge rush, but you also don’t have the big crash.
3. TV- I know that every woman deserves some guilty pleasures, and TV may be your choice. Just consider how much time you spend in front of it. And when is the last time you felt motivated to clean your house or write or work on a major project after spending 2 or 3 hours in front of the TV?
4. Computer- Ok, I know that most of you who will read this are bloggers, and we ALL know that blogging can have its addictive qualities. Just like everything else in your life, you need a balance. If, by the nature of your goals and ambitions, you are required to be on the computer/internet quite a bit, at least make sure to get up and stretch. Also, have set times where you work on certain things: an hour for writing, 15 minutes for blog commenting every couple of hours, an hour of research. Set some boundaries or before you know it you will have been sitting at the computer for hours! And you may or may not have even accomplished what you set out to do!
5. Human energy drains- Not necessarily speaking of children, even though they may be! I am speaking of the negative people in your life who pull you down, inject negativity into your life, and make you feel like you need a drink after interacting with them! As much as you possibly can, distance yourself from these people. You’ll be amazed at how much better you feel!
What energy drains do you see in your life? Have you successfully reduced or rid your life of any drains that you have identified?
My goal is to help as many women as possible with these issues we all deal with! Be sure to subscribe via email or RSS so you don’t miss any posts! If you know of someone who would benefit from the info in this post and in my blog, please click here to share!
Stopping by from SITS today. I know I’m guilty of indulging in many of these energy drains. I’m working on stopping some of them.
Hi Janet! I know, it can be so hard! I am starting to cut my coffee consumption. Too chicken to go cold turkey! Going over to visit your blog!
I have been determined to streamline my activities so I can stop letting things get too busy and chaotic – why do we do that to ourselves???? It’s like an addiction, just cramming that schedule and spreading ourselves out so paper thin that before you know it things start to get so noisy and muttled (spell?) as we quietly suffocate ourselves with the noise by which we so quickly surround ourselves with…such an energy drain to say the least.
so when I can’t hear my own thoughts clearly and I notice that I’m totally deflated by the end of each day, then I acknowledge that it’s time to make some adjustments and resolve to just have to say “no” to some things.
Actually I just did a post about that called “the splendor of simplicity”, come by and check it out! would love to hear your thoughts – have a magnificent weekend sweet bella
Ahh, Jaime! I love when you drop by! You always have such a way with words!
Yes, we do like to cram our lives full with activities and stuff. It all comes back to saying No and building that space in our lives! Headed over your way now!
Ah yes, I’m really guilty of the quick check of my blog reader/email/Facebook that turns into a three hour marathon!
One of my close friends has a great name for those negative people: energy vampires. I’ve been watching out for them much more and it really helps to cut them out of your life, or greatly reduce the time you spend with them.
Love your blog and will sign up for the feed.
Nicola. x
I really have to set a timer or alarm on my phone or I can sit all day going from blog to blog, lol!
I hav to be careful about getting on the phone with my oldest daughter as well. She doesn’t doesn’t drain me so much as talk my ear off, lol! It is so much better for us to text!
Bernice
Geez mom. Just throw me under the bus why don’t ya?! 🙂 I know it’s true, after all, “I’m talking and I can’t shut up,” remember? I do enjoy our talks though and I truly value your opinion and insight on things. Your blog is a wonderful way for me to keep up with you, and it is amazing to me how we all deal with some of the same things every day. It’s nice to know that I’m not crazy and that I’m not alone! Lol!
Well, you named all five of them for me. All I can say is I’ve been drinking less coffee and eating less white sugar. I watch less TV because I’m on the computer more. I’m a writer by trade so that’s the way that goes. As for the negativity in family members, I do my best to keep it all into perspective and not get pulled down into it as well. Hmmm. you do have a way of getting strangers to write out their thoughts. What a gift. 🙂
A fellow rambler,
Su-sieee! Mac
This and That. Here and There. Now, Sometimes Then.
Hi Susie!
You know, if I am supposed to be working on a writing project, I will actually switch off the wireless on my laptop to keep me from just a quick peek at my blog or facebook. Of course, I can just turn it back on, but it has be a decision I make, so it does help me at times!
Going over to visit you now!
Thanks for reminding me…
Also thanks for stopping by my blog! 😀
You are very welcome! come back and visit anytime!
Lol, I’m glad you got children in there at the bottom! That was the first thing that popped into my mind probably as I have 3 of the little dears:) It’s not children per se it’s when they complain and whine Arrgh, drives me nuts! Great post by the way, I gave it 5 stars:)
Hi Annabel!
Yea, I can’t handle the whining and complaining either!
Thanks for coming by and thanks for the compliments!
Bernice
Work! That is what drains me! I would be fine with everything else if I didn’t have to be gone for 8 hrs a day…:(
Great post!
Wouldn’t it be nice to be independently wealthy? And just have all the time in the world to do the fun stuff?
Thanks for dropping by Java!
Enjoyed your post. It made me stop and think about the drains on my time and energy. I have been guilty of allowing all of the drains that you mentioned at one time of another, but by far the tv and the computer are my biggest energy and time drains right now. I’m working on getting balance back in these areas.
Balance is a key word here! I set myself a time limit this morning, and I am almost there! Going over to visit your blog before I sign off!
I was guilty of the first two in the form of black tea – many cups – with spoonfuls of white sugar and milk. So yummy, but I cannot drink it at all now! It definitely was my power drink, but it powered me out in the end.
Great blog! So glad to see you addressing these important topics.
Thanks Sandra for your kind comments and for your email!
It never ceases to amaze me how sitting at the computer for most of the day can totally exhaust me!
I am working on forcing the stretching and walking. It’s a process! I will do it!
Thanks Bernice.
Not only does it exhaust us, but it makes us stiff! I find, if I am not careful, that I have all my muscles tensed as I write! I just need to learn to relax and let my hands, fingers and brain do the work, lol!