Energy Awareness – What Drains You vs. What Fills You

As a nurse and wellness coach, I see it every day: people doing all the right things on paper, yet still feeling exhausted, unmotivated, and burned out. Often, the missing piece isn’t more discipline — it’s energy awareness.

Energy awareness is the practice of noticing what drains your physical, mental, and emotional energy versus what fills you back up. When you learn to protect your energy, healthy choices become easier, not harder.

What Drains Your Energy?

Energy drains are habits or situations that leave you feeling exhausted — sometimes without you realizing why.

Common energy drainers:

• Poor sleep

• Skipping meals or processed foods

• Chronic stress or overcommitment

• Negative self-talk or comparison

• Weak boundaries at work or home

• Too much screen time

• Saying yes when you mean no

Insight: Ongoing low energy can affect blood pressure, blood sugar, immunity, and mental health long before illness appears.

What Fills Your Energy?

Energy fillers restore you physically, mentally, or emotionally — and they don’t have to be complicated.

Common energy fillers:

• Restful sleep

• Nourishing food and hydration

• Enjoyable movement

• Fresh air or time outdoors

• Quiet reflection (journaling, prayer, meditation)

• Meaningful connection

• Clear boundaries

✨ What restores your energy may look different from others — and that’s okay.

How to Build Energy Awareness

• Notice: What gave you energy today? What drained it?

• Track: Look for patterns over a week.

• Adjust: Remove one drain, add one filler.

• Protect: Treat your energy like a vital sign.

As a wellness coach, I help clients build routines that support health before burnout or illness.