Top tips to fight winter fatigue

January can seem like a very long month, so try these top tips to fight winter fatigue. There are lots of things you can do to help boost your energy levels, so you can have a flying start to the new year [virtual fist pump] and feel all fresh, rather than frazzled.

Drink lots of water

It sounds pretty obvious, but if you partied a lot in December then your body is probably begging for some H₂O. Being even slightly dehydrated can make you feel tired, so make sure you drink lots of water to flush out the toxins that will have built up in your body over the party season.

Sleep well

Your body functions better with a sleep routine but with all the partying, it’s likely that your body clock is way out of sync. Try to find your routine, aiming for seven to eight hours of sleep a night. If you’re finding it hard to fall asleep, try a hot bath before bed as your body temperature dips at night and if you raise your temperature with a bath, the steeper drop at bedtime is reputed to help you slip into a deep sleep.

Let go of stress

Stress can be crippling, it literally can make you ill and uses up a lot of wasted energy, so tackle it head on. January is a great time to let go of stressful things by introducing some relaxing activities into your schedule. That could be yoga or martial arts, playing a musical instrument or reading. There are no rules about what a relaxing activity is, it’s very personal to you.

Get moving

It’s counterintuitive but, while you might feel too fatigued to exercise, exercising will help energise you. Start with a simple walk around the block for 15 minutes and you’ll instantly feel more alert. Then build in some more intensive exercise – maybe try a couple of classes at the gym! You’ll soon have much more energy. Goodbye fatigue

Cut the caffeine

Caffeine often has a negative effect on energy levels. You might get a buzz for an hour, but then you’ll hit a slump and the only way out, you’ve guessed it, is more caffeine! Overall energy levels can get depleted with excessive caffeine and it can also dehydrate you (we know how that ends!), so try to reduce your coffee intake to just one a day – maybe keep your almond milk latte in the morning, but skip the afternoon cup and trade it for an energy-rich snack instead.

Eat little and often

Eating until you feel like you’re carrying a ‘food baby’ doesn’t help fight fatigue. When you eat little and often it helps regulate your blood sugar level, which helps maintain your energy levels throughout the day.

Eat clean

Sugary foods taste great and immediately perk you up (much like caffeine) but ultimately drain your energy. Try to avoid refined sugar and eat ‘clean’ food that is rich in nutrients, protein and fibre – this will help you sustain energy levels.

Stay social

You may have no money and are feeling spent in yourself, but try not to hibernate in January. It’s good to be social and friends are a great aid in helping you feel energised and excited about the year to come, so embrace social activities that come along in the New Year.

Get on board with Ban-uary

Jumping on board with ban-uary and abstaining from alcohol for a month (or more if you can!) will help boost your energy levels. Drinking prevents you from getting quality, deep sleep so you’ll feel sluggish in the morning or at worst completely hungover. Take a few weeks off to add an extra bound to your step.

Get stretching

Stretching has many benefits on the body and mind, one of which is increasing energy levels. Releasing tension in the muscles allows an increased blood flow through the body and this means more rich nutrients reach the muscles. You’ll have higher energy levels and will feel invigorated and refreshed.