Feel more energised in five easy steps!
Aug 02, 2021
Is the warmer weather zapping your energy levels? Whilst ongoing fatigue and lack of energy can have a medical cause, feeling more tired than usual when it’s warm outside, is actually quite common. Happily, there’s plenty you can do to increase your energy levels naturally.
1.Drink more water
The main cause of fatigue during hot weather is dehydration. When temperatures increase it’s easy to forget to increase your water intake accordingly – and if you’re not drinking enough water to start with, it won’t be long before you’ll start to feel the effects of dehydration. From difficulty concentrating, to headaches and fatigue, even slight dehydration will cause your body to function less well.
How much water do you need? The NHS recommends drinking between 6 to 8 glasses of water a day [1], but aim for at least two litres daily when it’s hot outside.
2.Get more sleep
If it’s really warm during the day there’s a good chance you’ll be having trouble sleeping at night, and poor sleep on an ongoing basis will soon zap your energy. If you’re having trouble nodding off because your bedroom is too stuffy, try changing your bedding - choose natural fibres over synthetic, and sheets over duvets to help increase airflow and circulation, and don’t ditch the pjs, they’ll help to keep you cool.
A natural sleep remedy can also help. A.Vogel Dormeasan® Sleep with fresh Valerian and Hops can help you get to sleep and also stay in the deeper stages of sleep for longer. Take 30 drops in a little water half an hour before bedtime.
3.Reduce stress
Feeling stressed can take its toll on your energy levels. It causes our digestive system to slow down, meaning we don’t get as many nutrients (and less fuel) from our food. It also means we can become deficient in the vitamins and minerals we need to keep our bodies working, and our energy levels up.
Whilst it may not be possible to remove stress completely from your life, allow yourself at least 30 minutes each day to do whatever helps you to relax. Take a walk by yourself or dip into a good book. Deep breathing and meditation can also bring back calm.
4.Avoid processed foods and sugar
Ditch the quick-release carbs found in white bread, pastries and sweets. They might give you a quick sugar fix, but after a couple of hours that sudden spike of energy will drop, making you feel tired and sleepy, and it won’t be long before you’ll be craving that sweet fix again. Low GI, energy-rich foods, such as wholegrains, nuts and seeds, and foods rich in protein, will keep you full for longer.
5.Boost your B
If energy levels are low, foods rich in B vitamins are recommended because they help to convert food into energy. Oat-based cereals, porridge especially, are a great way to start the day. Other food sources of vitamin B include bananas, lentils, peppers, tempeh and beans. Alternatively a B vitamin supplement can help to keep you topped up. Our new Jan de Vries B-Complex contains all the B vitamins you need, in a handy one-a-day tablet.
Still feeling tired? Bring your minerals into balance
For overall tiredness, try A.Vogel’s Balance Mineral Drink . A delicious-tasting, strawberry-flavoured, powdered mineral drink, it provides magnesium, zinc, potassium, calcium and vitamin D, to help release energy and maintain vitality. It also works well as a post-workout drink, helping to replace lost electrolytes and support muscle function.
Available in 7 or 21 handy single-serve portions, simply dissolve one sachet into 150ml of water or milk, stir well and enjoy. It costs from £7.25 and is suitable for vegetarians and vegans, and is lactose and gluten-free.