How to Stop Your Morning Energy From Draining Away

The energy you have in the morning should set you up for the whole day. Here's how to fix any leaks.

If you’ve managed to have a decent night’s sleep, then you’re likely to wake up feeling energized and ready for the day ahead.

However, there are several ways — just like water flowing down a drain — that you can allow this morning energy to leak away and steal your motivation and productivity.

Let’s look at these energy drainers now, followed by some simple steps to fix them!

Energy leaks that could be killing your day

Life can’t exist without energy.

And when it comes to being healthy, happy and a high achiever — having an abundance of personal energy is a necessity.

Even if you currently know how to get a good night’s sleep, your morning routine could well be allowing your energy to drain away — leaving you feeling tired, lethargic and unproductive for the bulk of your day.

I’ve studied myself and others for many years, and I’ve noticed the following morning behaviours are prone to weaken personal energy:

• Taking a shower that’s too hot

• Spending too long in a hot bath

• Eating a heavy breakfast

• Watching TV

• Checking the news

• Taking a long commute

• Dealing with negative people

• Focusing on time management (instead of energy management)

• Failing to take breaks

• Slipping into dehydration

Simple solutions to fix your energy leaks

Now you’ve seen some of the major energy leaks that could be destroying your day, let’s look at some easy and quick ways to fix them:

• Taking a shower that’s too hot — Cooler showers are definitely more refreshing, so turn down the heat and save your money and personal energy.

• Spending too long in a hot bath — This is similar to the above. Hot water, just like hot weather, is tiring. If you like a hot bath, then just make you don’t stay in it for too long. Alternatively, just run a slightly cooler bath.

• Eating a heavy breakfast — Unless you’re working on a building site or you’re a professional athlete, then you’ll probably benefit from a lighter breakfast that what you might be used to. Think fruit, nuts and seeds, rather than a fried breakfast made up of eggs, bacon and sausages!

• Watching TV — I remember staying at a friend’s house a few years back, and was shocked to find that they not only switched on their TV first thing in a morning, but they left it on ALL morning. This was disturbing and distracting for me, and I’m not sure my friend enjoyed it either. It was just a habit (a bad one) that he had fallen into.

• Checking the news — I’ll admit that I’m a news junkie, and whether it’s through BBC, Sky or Twitter, I like to keep a close eye on what’s going on in the world. However, most people I know find the news depressing and demotivating. If you’re one of those people, then try to avoid checking the news first thing in a morning.

• Taking a long commute — Years of travelling across London to work left me feeling physically weak and mentally broken! Fortunately, nowadays, most employers will allow you to work from home two or three days a work. If you have a long commute, then definitely make this manageable by only going into the office when you need to. You’ll save time, money and personal energy.

• Dealing with negative people — Whether it’s a member of your family or a work colleague, it’s inevitable that you’ll have to spend time in morning with a someone who has a negative attitude. While you can’t 100% avoid this, look for ways to minimise your time with them. Perhaps by changing what time you leave your home and what time you arrive at work.

• Focusing on time management (instead of energy management) — Planning your day is definitely a good thing, but don’t put time management above energy management. After all, if you don’t have the energy or drive to do the things on your list, you may as well have not bothered to add them in the first place.

• Failing to take breaks — This is such a common issue. I’ve seen it in every workplace I’ve ever been to (and I’ve been to a lot!). Personally, I feel like we’ve been brainwashed into thinking that to be successful we have to work hard all the time. Which means no morning breaks and eating lunch at your desk. Thankfully, recent studies have shown that taking regular breaks won’t hinder your productivity, but it will actually enhance it.

• Slipping into dehydration — Until recently, I’ve been guilty of this. I love drinking coffee so much that I was seldom drinking any water. However, I noticed that by lunchtime I would start to feel somewhat groggy, both physically and mentally. A friend of mine suggested I started to drink water between my lattes. I tried this, and I’m pleased to say that it had an immediate and positive effect. (Check out this article: 15 benefits of drinking water)

Stay on top form throughout your day

While there are dozens of potential energy leaks, if you fix the ones above, I’m sure you’ll find yourself feeling more energized and motivated then you’ve done in a long time.

Imagine having the energy and drive to get your work done and to come home still feeling upbeat and vitalized. You’ll be able to enjoy time with your family, friends and pets, as well as having the energy to enjoy your hobbies.

So, here’s to your energy-filled mornings and days!