Wipe Out Winter Tiredness
Hands up if you struggle to get out of bed, feel like you’re constantly tired and rely on sugary treats to power you through the day? Welcome to the club!
As the days get shorter and the temperature drops, we all know how difficult it can be to feel energised and productive – particularly during a pandemic.
In fact, tiredness is one of the UK’s top health complaints; according to OnePoll.com, the average UK adult spends more than seven-and-a-half years feeling tired. That’s nearly three hours each day spent feeling drained and low in energy!
If you’re struggling to adjust to the seasonal change, don’t worry as this can exacerbate the problem. Here are a few proven ways that can help you tackle low energy and boost your mood and productivity:
Let there be light
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As the days become shorter, your sleep and waking cycles may become disrupted. The lack of sunlight means your brain produces more of a hormone called melatonin, which makes you sleepy.
To help regulate your melatonin levels, spend as much time outdoors in daylight as you can – take a walk at lunchtime, or make sure the blinds are open if you sit near a window whilst working.
Get a good night’s sleep
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Getting enough sleep is vital for fighting off winter tiredness. Whilst it’s tempting to go into hibernation when winter hits, that sleepy feeling you get does not mean you should snooze for longer.
Aim for about 8 hours of shut eye a night and try to go to bed and get up at the same time every day. Make sure your bedroom helps you feel relaxed and sleepy: clear the clutter, have comfortable and warm bedding, and turn off your phone and TV.
Eat the right food
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Once the summer ends, there’s a temptation to ditch the salads and fill up on starchy foods such as pasta, potatoes, and bread. However, you’ll have more energy if you include plenty of fruit and vegetables in your comfort meals.
It’s also important to get more vitamin D into your diet as our bodies are unable to create enough at this time of year. The NHS recommends eating foods which are rich in the vitamin, including oily fish, red meat and fortified food, such as some fat spreads and breakfast cereals. Another good way of introducing more vitamin D into your diet is by taking a daily supplement.
Try an energy enhancer
Whilst a healthy diet and plenty of rest can help fight fatigue, there are also times when you need an extra boost.
Thanks to its caffeine kick, Pro Plus® relieves the symptoms of fatigue and tiredness, helping you to feel more energised. Pro Plus tablets are available to purchase from supermarkets and pharmacies nationwide.
Don’t let stress drain you
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Stress is one of the key contributors to fatigue and low energy. Whether its uncertainty about our health, future, or finances, it’s important to recognise what is causing you to feel stressed, as well as solutions and strategies to help manage it.
Whilst there’s no quick fix for stress, there are some simple things you can do to help to reduce it. Many people find adding meditation, yoga, breathing exercises or mindfulness techniques into their day helps them to feel more relaxed and in turn, energised.
Pro Plus
There are many moments when we need to be at the top of our game. Pro Plus® gives you a caffeine kick that can relieve the symptoms of tiredness and fatigue, so that you can focus on the task at hand.
Pro Plus® contains caffeine, a stimulant that can help to maintain mental alertness and make you feel more awake. Always read the label.
Pro Plus tablets are available to purchase online at www.proplus.co.uk and supermarkets and pharmacies nationwide. Pro Plus RRP £2.74 for 24 Tablets, Pro Plus RRP £4.74 for 48 Tablets.
Moira Chisholm
I'm the Health Editor on My Weekly and am always interested to hear what's new in this fascinating field. I also deal with the gardening, shopping pages, general features, our website content and the Ask Helen problem page. I have a special interest in Christmas content because I'm on the team for Your Best Ever Christmas Magazine, too!
