Pinpoint the Energy Zapper
Before reaching for a strong cup of coffee, pause and pinpoint what’s causing your dip, said Lisa Kaplin , PsyD, a psychologist and life coach who helps clients live full lives. There are many reasons why you might feel drained and depleted. For one, it’s normal for energy to wax and wane throughout the day, according to Joyce Marter , LCPC, a therapist and owner of Urban Balance , a counseling practice in the Chicago area. Other common culprits include hunger, thirst, not enough sleep or physical activity and even your mindset, Kaplin said. “When you are frustrated, angry, upset, fearful [or] resentful, your emotional energy dramatically decreases and with it your physical activity.”
Even positive stressors can make you tired. This usually happens “after the body comes down from the adrenaline rush,” Marter said. She experiences this kind of fatigue following her 3-hour lectures at Northwestern University. Once you identify your trigger, make a positive change. Drink a bottle of water, eat a nutrient-rich food, go to bed early, or give yourself a rest after rigorous tasks. On the days Marter lectures, she leaves the afternoons unscheduled.
