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Dehydration -

Yes, dehydration really can make you feel gassed out and depleted of energy. And we're not talking "days without water in the desert" kind of dehydration. Just spending a few hours without proper hydration levels can affect you.

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Dehydration -

You only feel thirsty when you're already starting to get dehydrated, so it's important to avoid getting to that stage. This is especially true for women, who, according to researchers at the University of Connecticut, can feel drained of energy more easily. The reasons, though, are unknown.

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Multitasking -

Often a requirement in many job descriptions, multitasking doesn't actually come naturally for us. In fact, you don't really do all those tasks at the same time: you alternate them.

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Multitasking -

Switching back and forth between tasks takes up a lot of brain energy, namely oxygenated glucose, to refocus on the task at hand. Try to divide tasks up and have a short break between them (e.g. 15 minutes).

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The glass of wine you had last night -

Drinking alcohol before bed disrupts your REM sleep, which is the deepest stage of sleep. This stage is very important for a number of restorative processes, as well as for learning and memory.

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The glass of wine you had last night -

Like many of us, you like to have a glass of wine with dinner, or in the evening to wind down. But while a drink seems to relax you and make you sleep better, it can in fact have the opposite effect.

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Iron deficiency -

Diet can have a huge impact on how you feel. An iron deficiency, for example, will surely have an impact on your energy levels. Those without dietary restrictions can find plenty of iron in beef, nuts, beans, and leafy greens.

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Iron deficiency -

This might be particularly tricky for vegans and vegetarians though, but plant-based iron (non-heme iron) is always an option. And, of course, supplements should not be discarded. Talk to your doctor about getting blood work done if you suspect you might have an iron deficiency.

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Sleeping with your mouth open -

Sure, it's hard to know if you're sleeping with your mouth open! But if you are, chances are you'll get dehydrated overnight, and that can have an impact on your energy levels.

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Sleeping with your mouth open -

Addressing any sinus issues you might have, and doing breathing exercises, might help you breathe properly when you sleep. If everything else fails, using gentle paper tape on your mouth will do the trick!

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Excessive caffeine -

Maybe that last coffee of the day really is affecting your sleep, which consequently affects your energy levels.

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Excessive caffeine -

Try tapering the consumption of caffeinated drinks after 2 pm. If you really want to have a coffee after that, make it at least five to six hours before bedtime. 

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Skipping the gym -

Yes, it's the age-old dilemma: you are too tired to work out, so you stay at home relaxing. But not exercising will actually make you even more tired!

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Skipping the gym -

The less energy you expend, the less energy the mitochondria in your cells will produce. This means that low-intensity exercise can actually reduce fatigue by up to 60%, according to researchers at the University of Georgia.

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Checking your phone in bed -

Blue light emitted by these devices is known to disrupt the production of melatonin (the hormone responsible for the circadian rhythm, or sleep–wake cycle) and therefore affect sleep.

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Checking your phone in bed -

Not only does it hinder your natural circadian rhythm, but it also has an impact on REM sleep. It goes without saying that you'll feel more tired the following day.

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Being indoors -

This has unfortunately been exacerbated by the many lockdowns throughout the world during the pandemic. Being indoors all the time can, and will, make you feel sluggish.

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Being indoors -

This one has an easy fix: go get some fresh air! Numerous studies in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that humans do get a boost in energy levels from being in contact with nature for as little as 20 minutes a day.

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Your thyroid -

An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can have an impact on a number of body functions, which can consequently make you feel more fatigued.

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Your thyroid -

If you experience other symptoms, such as weight gain, contact your doctor to rule out any thyroid issues.

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Your messy desk -

“Whatever you look for dominates your brain signals so much,” explains Princeton psychology professor Sabine Kastner.

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Your messy desk -

A messy desk will make your brain work extra hard unnecessarily. Spend some time organizing things, and you'll feel better about it.

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Slouching -

You might be wondering how poor posture can make you feel tired, but extra pressure on joints, ligaments, and muscles can really take a toll.

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Slouching -

When you slouch, your body has to work extra hard to compensate the poor posture, utilizing more energy. Sitting up straight and working on your posture can indeed give you a boost of energy.

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Perfectionism -

Sure, there is absolutely nothing wrong with you wanting to do things well. But when you become obsessed with every single detail, this will consume a whole lot of energy.

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Perfectionism -

Being a perfectionist can really increase your stress  levels (after all, you can't control absolutely everything) and consequently make you feel fatigued.

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Complaining about work -

Sure, we all have things to complain about, and work is usually one of them. After all, it's such a big part of our lives. But doing so might actually be draining your energy levels.

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Complaining about work -

According to a study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, negatively responding to your problems at work and waiting for things to go wrong can be really draining. The alternative is to express your frustrations positively by focusing on solutions, rather than the problems.

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Saying "yes" all the time -

No one likes to be that person who always says "no," but the opposite is also true: you don't want to say "yes" to everyone, all the time. This is particularly true in the workplace.

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Saying yes all the time -

Answering all your coworkers' pleads for help not only will increase your stress levels, but it'll also decrease your productivity. You might feel mentally exhausted pretty soon, too.

Sources: (The Healthy)

See also: Experiencing burnout? Here's how to beat it

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