15 surprising things that drain your energy

How can a mess do anything other than, well, look messy? According to Princeton psychology professor Sabine Kastner, it pulls your brain in too many directions and tires you out over time. “Whatever you look for dominates your brain signals so much,” she explains. As a result, the brain focuses more on what it’s looking for instead of what it’s actually seeing. A few minutes of sorting, purging, and organising can let your brain take a much-deserved rest – and let you channel energy elsewhere.

Don’t make these decorating mistakes that can make your home look messy.

Sometimes, a lack of energy is a physical condition – like hypothyroidism, which is an underactive thyroid. The thyroid dictates so many of the body’s functions that when it slows down, you can’t help but follow suit. Fatigue is just one symptom. If you’re also experiencing weight gain, dry skin, and an increased sensitivity to cold, talk to your doctor. Thyroid hormone replacement therapy can bring balance to your body.

Here are some thyroid facts everyone should know.

A glass of wine at the end of a long day can feel relaxing and help you drift off to dreamland, but it ultimately disrupts sleep, leading to a tired tomorrow. According to WebMD, a review of 27 studies revealed that drinking before bed disrupts the part of sleep that’s supposed to be restorative – your REM sleep. The more you drink at night-time, the worse the disruption. The solution? Cut back on the booze, and don’t rely on it as a sleep aid.

This is what happens when you drink a glass of wine every night.

If you’re feeling sluggish, you may not need another cup of coffee: try some fresh air instead. A series of studies in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that people need nature to thrive. While the research didn’t examine the reasons, it did find that being in nature for just 20 minutes a day boosted energy levels – and it had nothing to do with the added benefits of physical activity or social interaction. “Nature is something within which we flourish,” says the study’s author, Dr Richard Ryan, “so having it be more a part of our lives is critical, especially when we live and work in built environments.”

It’s hard to say no at work because you want to be a team player. But researchers  from Michigan State University found that when you’re bombarded by colleagues’ pleas for help first thing in the morning, it leads to mental exhaustion and your own decreased productivity throughout the day. Is there anything wrong with helping and collaborating? Of course not; it’s an important part of office life. But a well-timed “no” or a promise to help later in the day could make a world of difference in your own attitude and energy level.

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Source: RD.com