12 Energy drains and tips to eliminate them

Are you frequently physically, mentally and emotionally drained? Have you ever wondered why? You may be lacking the energy you need to have the best days you can. Listed below are several circumstances or situations that could be draining your energy and a solution to help you accomplish the things you desire.

Disorganization

Ever get tired of running around looking for what you need? Pick the area in your home that is the most unorganized and get it organized this week. Decide what’s important and get rid of the rest. Get your family involved and teach your kids how to organize their own rooms.

Running late

Are you always late? Stress drains our energy. Being behind schedule all the time puts us in a constant state of hurry and stress. If you have an appointment first thing in the morning, plan ahead. Try setting everything out that you’ll need the night before. This might actually allow you to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning because everything is ready for you to grab and go. Create a morning routine that helps you feel fabulous and focused.

Anger

What frustrates and irritates you? Anger can leave you feeling tense, upset and unhappy. If you’re angry over one thing or several things, figure out ways to resolve the anger so you can let it go. If you’re angry with a friend or your spouse, tell them. Stuffing anger will drain you physically and emotionally, so talk it out and move on.

Overwhelm

Mommy overwhelm is common these days. Moms have a lot on their plates, and many plates spinning in the air. Try to take one day, project, event, or problem at a time. Concentrate on completing your most important task and when that’s complete, you can move on to the next. Feel like you have zero free time? Find ways to find more time for your life.

Clutter

Clutter blocks energy. The more you have, the more your energy will be drained. Choose one room or even one closet in a room and declutter it. Using baby steps, continue chipping away at the clutter. Little by little the clutter will disappear and your energy will reappear. Make the initial time investment to get organized.

Unfinished household projects

Unfinished household projects can drain your energy because you’re living in a constant state of chaos. Pick the project that’s the smallest and get it done. When you cross one project off your to-do list, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment and be motivated to finish another project.

Friends who complain too much

Dealing with friends or family members who are negative or complain all the time can be exhausting. Who needs all that drama in their life? It’s no fun listening to someone who’s never happy with anything. Try pointing out the positive to your friend. If that doesn’t work, you may need to decide how much time you want to spend with this person. Don’t let her drag you into a negative atmosphere. Surround yourself with positive people.

Too many commitments

Is your schedule so busy there’s little free or down time? Having too many commitments or appointments is stressful and time consuming. It’s okay to tell people “no.” Try cutting one or two things out of your schedule. This gives you time to refuel and spend some much needed time with your family.

Guilt

Have you ever wondered how you got that big sack of guilt you carry around? Becoming a mom seems to bring on the guilt. Feeling guilty for taking time for yourself, letting your child watch too much TV, or not setting a good enough example with your own behavior can make you feel stressed out and irritable. Hanging on to guilt can make for a cranky mommy. Remember that you aren’t perfect, and shouldn’t expect yourself to be. Lighten up on the unreasonable expectations.

Pessimism

Is the glass half empty or half full to you? Is life full of problems or opportunities? A pessimistic outlook and attitude will keep you in a constant state of low energy. Try looking for the positive in each day, instead of focusing on the challenges. It could be something as simple as the sun is out or something more complex like even though you wrecked the car, no one was hurt. Stop the negative self-talk that drains your energy.

Lack of support

Whether you’re a single mom, a mom whose husband travels frequently, or a mom whose extended family is in another state, not having proper support can take a toll on your energy. Put together a strong support team consisting of support groups, friends and reliable babysitters so you get the breaks you need.

Minimal self-care

Taking on all the responsibilities of being a mom and raising a family requires a lot of energy. When we work non-stop, our energy tank eventually runs out of energy. We can keep pushing ourselves on low energy but it normally results in messes we later regret. Keep your energy tank as full as possible by engaging in regular self-care. Whether you’re exercising, taking cat naps, reading a good book, or having a kids-free cup of coffee with a friend, do what you can to make yourself a priority.

Sometimes we know what we need to do, but need support in actually carrying out what we’re trying to accomplish.  Perhaps you need that extra push to start decluttering or tips on how to set boundaries with those draining friends and family members. Maybe you don’t understand how to manage your emotions so you don’t feel drained, or can’t seem to create the time to put yourself on your to do list.  Find a life coach, friend, or structured program to help you zap these energy drains and your mom guilt, so you can enjoy motherhood.

Lori Radun

Lori Radun is a mom of two boys, life coach, speaker, author of The Momnificent Life: Healthy and Balanced Living for Busy Moms, and lover of chocolate and Tae Kwon Do.

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