Feeling drained? These ‘battery drainers’ are zapping all your energy: study

If you’re tired reading this, you’re not alone. One in three Americans are drained before the day even starts.

And what precious energy they do have is quickly zapped away, according to a survey of 2,000 people which pinpointed what drains Americans’ energy the most.  

Results showed that the pain of being interrupted, being forced to engage in awkward small talk and being on the receiving end of unsolicited advice are some of the biggest “battery drainers,” according to new research.

The survey conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Zipfizz examined the energy levels of 2,000 Americans and asked them to name the things that zap their energy day to day and their social stamina.

Dull interactions, even duller weather and worries over finances were among the most common drains.

Additional social energy suckers were dealing with office gossip (6%), being subjected to overly personal conversations with coworkers (4%) and colleagues showing you something on their phone (3%).

No wonder then a further one in three blamed their jobs for leaving them drained.

And it’s not just our jobs leaving us drained. The survey also found the biggest hits to our physical energy were lack of quality sleep (42%) and the never-ending cycle of housework (28%).

While 56% of participants said they believe staying hydrated plays a key role in their energy levels, the average reported water intake was just 5.3 cups per day, well below the recommended 15.5.

And that lack of hydration, sleep and social drainage all take their toll with many Americans reporting crashes during the day.The average American starts to fade by 11:54 a.m. — right before lunch.

So how do people power through the dreaded mid-day slump? A quick caffeine fix (25%), turning up the music (15%) or sneaking in a nap (14%) are the go-to energy boosts for getting through the day.

Thirteen percent reported exercising or mindful movement, while 8% said they take a break to enjoy the outdoors if they feel their energy crash during the day.

“This survey really shows how quickly our energy can take a hit — even before lunchtime,” said Marcela Kanalos, spokesperson for Zipfizz. “From housework to weather, it’s the small, constant drains that add up. Knowing how to recover from that dip can make all the difference.”

And when the weekend finally hits? For 48%, it doesn’t bring the relief they hoped for — they’re still feeling wiped out.

More than a quarter (28%) believe that making small habit changes, like drinking more water, can have a significant impact on how energized they feel.

When asked what they’d do if they could reclaim just one hour of daily energy, their answers revealed what many are missing most: time to unwind. 

The top choice was simply relaxing (15%), followed by being physically active or exercising (14%) —and ironically — getting more sleep (13%). 

Others said they would spend more quality time with friends or family (10%) and catch up on chores (9%).

“When people are running on empty before noon and the weekend doesn’t offer the recovery they hoped for, it’s a sign that quick fixes aren’t enough,” added Kanalos. “Real energy comes from small, consistent choices — like better sleep, hydration and meaningful downtime — that add up over time. We don’t just need to push through the day; we need to learn how to recharge in ways that actually last.”

TOP 10 BIGGEST SOCIAL BATTERY ZAPPERS

1. Being interrupted or talked over (15%)
2. Awkward small talk (11%)
3. Customer service interactions (9%)
4. Talking to strangers (9%)
5. Unsolicited advice (8%)
6. Office gossip (6%)
7. Group video calls (4%)
8. Overly personal conversations with coworkers (4%)
9. Coworkers showing you something on their phone (3%)
10. Networking events (3%)

BIGGEST ENERGY SUCKERS

1. Lack of quality sleep (42%)
2. Housework/chores (28%)
3. Finance worries (26%)
4. Bad weather (20%)
5. Dull social interactions (19%)

Survey methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 Americans; the survey was commissioned by Zipfizz and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between May 1 – May 5, 2025.