It's a common problem - winter rolls around and suddenly your energy levels have slumped and all you want to do is hibernate. Many people think extra hours in bed will help cure the issue, but that's actually the worst thing for you. What you need isn't additional rest, but to get outside a bit more. It's tempting to stay in the warm when the temperatures drop and to sack off exercise, but follow these steps and you'll be tricked into thinking it's the height of summer again.
Set your alarm
This will probably be the least popular suggestion, but it actually works. As appealing as it seems to have an extra few hours in bed at the weekend, rising at the same time every day will actually improve how you feel. This is because waking at a set time daily makes your circadian function, otherwise known as your wake-up routine, making it more likely that your nights will be better and you'll feel more rested when you get up.
Outdoor exercise
You may need to wrap up warm, but outdoor routines will improve your energy levels no end. The American Heart Association claims three 30 minute workouts staged outside a week will make you feel less sluggish, plus you can vary things by running, walking or cycling.
"Sunlight also triggers the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulate your body clock, meaning you'll feel the urge to rest at the right times," Professor Alex Gardner, an expert on therapeutic principles, told Cosmopolitan Body magazine.
Shower
Bear with us on this one. Rain or snow produces negative ions, which boost the flow of oxygen to the brain. This makes us more alert, less sleepy and mentally sharper, according to Dr Pierce J. Howard - who wrote a book about the brain. You might not want to go for a walk in the rain, so instead get your ions from a shower.
Think food
Tempting as it is to stockpile on pasta and jacket potatoes, you won't be doing yourself any energy favours. This are short-term saviours which eventually will leave you feeling tired. Instead munch on chicken, sweet potatoes, tuna or green salad, which give a more long-lasting energy rush.
Lights
If you're struggling with energy levels it's probable your sleep is tricky too. Melatonin is released by the brain when it gets dark to signal it's time for you to sleep. Being surrounded by bright lighting can affect this, so try to keep things dim when it's time to switch off.
