Sleep, diet or lack of exercise can sap our reserves, but did you know that our personality can affect vitality, too?
Have you ever looked on in awe at friends who are the life and soul of a party, or who thrive in stressful situations? Aside from physical factors, such as tiredness or illness, there’s another reason why some of us feel drained more quickly than others – our personality.And research proves it. People who are more likely to class themselves as ‘introverted’ are more vulnerable to fatigue, found one study* that examined five major personality traits.
So, what’s your personality type and how can this boost your get-up-and-go? Our experts reveal all.
5 instant boosters
Energy mindset mentor Haulwen Nicholas (magicalmojocoach.com) shares her top ways to prevent your energy being drained…
1 REVIEW YOUR OUTLOOK
While an introvert or an extrovert can be optimistic or pessimistic depending on the circumstances, specific traits and habits are associated with greater resilience, explains Haulwen. ‘Optimism, for instance, is a quality that allows individuals to view challenges as opportunities for growth, ultimately helping them overcome energy-draining situations by fostering a positive outlook.’
To cultivate a positive mindset, Haulwen recommends ‘focusing on solutions rather than dwelling on any problems we might have. This can help to prevent unnecessary energy drains that may result from excessive worrying about things that are beyond our control.’
2 SET BOUNDARIES
If you’re a people-pleaser or have trouble saying ‘no’, consider how much this has a bearing on your vitality. ‘It’s OK to say no because you’ve scheduled rest into your life to suit you,’ says Haulwen. ‘It’s OK to create a life at your own pace, not dictated by others.’
The same applies at work, she adds. ‘Switch off your work phone and don’t take your laptop home.’ You may also need to set boundaries with yourself – Haulwen suggests an energy audit. ‘List your daily tasks and say which energises you and which drains you. For anything you find draining is there a way to delegate this to someone else, automate it, or stop doing it?’
3 PRACTISE SELF-REFLECTION
To identify energy drains you have to work on yourself, too. ‘Self-awareness helps you to recognise when you’re feeling drained, making it easier to know how to set appropriate boundarie
