If you are feeling drained of energy if could be down to several reasons including stress, nutrition, emotional or lifestyle. Here are 3 common reasons and hopefully some solutions to help:
1.Being tech-obsessedYour device is never far from your eye line and your thumb frequently finds its way to the Instagram app or your emails on auto pilot
Recent research from the University of Illinois found that constant use of a smartphone had a negative impact on mental health, leading to fatigue, anxiety and depression.
Solution: Do a digital detox (go on- you can do it)
The average adult checks their phone up to 58 times a day. A digital detox may sounds scary to begin with but even by just putting you phone on aeroplane and doing other things will make you feel better in the long run. Don’t worry, once you’ve broken the habit of constant checking, you can set yourself digital windows. It’s a real game changer and one we have as a family when camping (as no signal!) but also just for hours or days at home to re-set and re-focus.
2.Lacking Vitamin B12In the worst-case scenario, a vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to anaemia – but simply not hitting your RNI (1.5mg a day, according to the Department of Health) will zap your mental energy, as well as your attention span and cognitive function.
Solution: Boost your B12
One way to up your B12 is by eating animal products –shellfish, steak, eggs, or milk, cheese and yoghurt also contain plenty to pep you up. Some plant-based foods are fortified with the vitamin, too. If you are worried you could be deficient, don’t forget to see your GP and/or visit your local health store for advice on supplements
3.Not sleeping right
It isn’t just about how much sleep you get, it has to be the right kind of sleep – ie, uninterrupted.
Solution: Make magnesium your mate
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh found that magnesium is crucial to helping your body keep time.’If you stick to a regular sleep-wake cycle and consume 270mg to 300mg of magnesium a day, this can help you sleep well,’ Dark leafy greens should be your first port of call- cue spinach and Kale but grab a daily supplement to help if needed.