The cold weather, boredom, and lockdown-induced anxiety is leading to exhaustion - here’s how to put a spring back in your step.
Here’s 5 tips on how to power through February fatigue:
Drink less wine: “It compounds our tiredness because it contains so much fermented sugar, which depletes energy levels,” says Dr Nigma Talib, a Notting Hill-based naturopath who has worked with Penélope Cruz and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. “I find women in their 40s and 50s, who are juggling work, homeschooling, ageing parents, teenage children and marriages, are most prone to relying on wine to try and prop up their energy levels, but it has the opposite effect.”
Top up your magnesium levels: “The need for this builds as we get older,” says Talib, “because it’s required by every cell in the body for energy production.” Symptoms of a deficiency include brain fog, insomnia and stress. Magnesium-rich foods include green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds and whole grains, so eat more of them.
Balance your blood sugar levels: “I find that gentle changes to diets - less sugar, fewer comfort foods, less snacking, more wholefoods, some healthy fats and making sure there is protein with every meal - have a remarkable impact on energy levels and fatigue,” says nutritional therapist Amelia Freer.
Move around: A University of Georgia study found that sedentary but otherwise healthy adults who began exercising moderately three times a week felt 65 per cent less fatigued after a few weeks. So go for a jog or bike ride, an online Pilates class, or a brisk walk every day.
Prioritise sleep: “It sounds so simple, but often all we really need to do is prioritise sleep over bingeing on Netflix and social media,” says independent sleep expert Neil Stanley. “The only prerequisite for restorative sleep is a quiet mind, so quieten yours with a warm bath, some yoga or a good book before bed.”
If you need help getting a good night's sleep, OGN has featured a couple of ideas in recent days - suggested by experts - to help you drift off to the land of nod.
Trouble Sleeping? Try This... It's a breathing trick sends you to sleep in just one minute. The technique, known as the 4-7-8, was pioneered by US sleep expert Dr Andrew Weil, who says that it helps the lungs to become fully charged with air, allowing more oxygen into the body, and thus promoting a state of calm.
Sleep Date Night: An idea suggested by Dr Guy Meadows, the co-founder of The Sleep School, who says it is a better approach than the common technique of trying to catch up on lost sleep with weekend lie-ins.