Energy boosters
Wednesday 4 January 2006
It's the new year and after all the eating, drinking and making merry, you might feel as if you need to sleep for a week, despite the fact that holiday season is well and truly over.
If you feel like you're flagging, then there are loads of ways to get your energy levels zinging again.
Munch it
Nuts and raisins can give you a short-tem energy boost, but you should look at the way you eat all day long to see why you're so tired.
n2k caught up with a nutritionist who gave us her tips on food to make you feel great; take a look at what she says in our related articles.
Drink it
The odd cup of tea or coffee is OK, but once that caffeine buzz is gone, your energy levels might crash again.
The best thing to make sure you're ready to go is to drink enough water every day. Around eight glasses a day, or about 1.5 litres, should do the trick and keep you hydrated.
Sleep on it
It's a good idea to get around six to eight hours' sleep at night to feel at your best the next day, but you're the best judge of how much you need.
If you're feeling sluggish by the middle of the afternoon, the chances are that you could do with more shuteye at night.
Steering clear of caffeine in the afternoon should help you send off to the land of nod.
If you can't resist a bedtime drink, try some peppermint or camomile tea instead.
Get to it
A good way to boost your energy is to get out and do something. Instead of sitting around chatting at lunchtime, get out in the fresh air and stretch your legs for ten minutes or so.
If you can't go outside, go somewhere quiet and do a few stretches or jog on the spot; you'll be surprised at the little energy kick it gives you.
A longer term solution would be to be more active in general. Try and do a little bit of exercise every day.
Think about taking up some sport that'll get you off the sofa and from one to ten on your energy scale.
