Tiredness shouldn’t be your default state
There’s nothing worse than having to power through your day when you’re low on energy. Whether it’s due to a bad night’s sleep, stress or a late night, we’re all familiar with the feeling of being tired.
However, if tiredness becomes your default state, it’s a sign that something needs to change. Nobody should be waking up tired and staying tired throughout the whole day, and it may be that seemingly innocent daily habits are at fault for the problem.
We’re taking a look at some of these habits in order to help you make smart changes to your daily routine and promote better sleep and energy levels. Here are six habits to break if you’re tired of being tired.
Too much screentime, especially before bed
Low energy and fatigue are common symptoms of staring at a screen all day. For those working a desk job, regular breaks are necessary in order to counter the dip in energy levels.
Social media is another offender here, as it involves huge amounts of informational and emotional processing in a short period. When we indulge in scrolling before bed, it can make it harder for our brains to wind down effectively, making sleep more difficult.
Not drinking enough water
If you feel tired and aren’t in a position to sneak in a nap, the next best thing you can do is enjoy a cold glass of water. Dehydration can take its toll on your energy levels, even as little as two percent of normal fluid loss making you feel more tired.
Drinking six to eight cups of water a day can help to tackle fatigue and improve oxygen and nutrient intake in your body.
Using alcohol to help you sleep
A glass of wine can help you relax into the evening, but drinking before bed can also make your sleep less restorative. Studies have shown that drinking before bed alters our brain patterns while we rest, which has been linked to drowsiness, headaches and increased irritability. Don’t rely on alcohol to help you drift off when bedtime rolls around.
Staying indoors all day
As the weather gets colder, we tend to spend more time indoors, but failing to make time to enjoy a bit of daylight and fresh air exposure can have a detrimental effect on your energy levels. Exposing yourself to regular sunlight for just five to 10 minutes a day can help you feel more alert.
Skipping breakfast
A healthy breakfast is essential for setting you up for the day ahead, but a great many of us skip breakfast on days when we need to be up and out early. A balanced mix of protein, healthy fats and carbohydrates can keep you satiated and energised throughout the day.
When you help up, make time for breakfast as a way to rebuild the energy you’ve burned while you were asleep.
Working from bed
Many of us work remotely, but this shouldn’t translate to working from bed. It may be tempting, but this indulgence can actually have a negative impact on the amount of rest you get. Your bedroom should be a space that you associate purely with sleep and sex, but making it into your go-to workspace can cause you to infuse the space with an anxiety that might be difficult to shift come bedtime.