During the winter months we can tend to feel lacklustre and down.  The shorter days mean we usually become less active. And as it has been proven so many times before, inactivity makes us feel very tired and reduces our motivation substantially. Here are a few tips to regain some of that energy that the winter seems to suck out of us.

1.     Drink as Much Liquid as Possible

When your body is dehydrated it makes you feel sluggish and by the time you’ve realised your thirsty it’s too late.  Make sure you keep well hydrated throughout the day by consuming about 2-3 litres of liquid, choose to drink herbal tea, water or fruit juices and if you are going out for a drink after work try and minimise your alcohol intake or every second drink make it a non-alcoholic one.

2.     Breathe Properly

If you breathe too fast and shallow, from only the top half of your lungs, you are using up unnecessary energy recourses because you are not getting enough oxygen, which means having to breathe more frequently.  Breathing from the abdomen will leave you feeling calmer and more alert; try inhaling from your stomach for a count of 3, so as your lungs expand, then exhale slowly for a count of 6.

3.     Get in Shape

20 –30 minutes of exercise at least three times a week will get your circulation going and leave you feeling uplifted.  Initially you may feel tired but you will soon notice that getting fit will leave you feeling energised and more awake.  As well as being good for your health, exercise also releases endorphins (feel good hormones), which will reduce tension, help you sleep more soundly and raise your mental alertness.

4.     Have a Fruit Smoothie

We all know that fizzy drinks will give us an instant energy boost, but to keep that energy prolonged why not try a fruit smoothie?  Fruit is a natural energy source as the fibre it contains prevents the sugar entering the bloodstream too quickly, with the result you get a long lasting pick me up that will fill you with vitamins and minerals too.

5.     Snatch a fruit Snack

Bananas, mixed dried fruit, vegetable sticks and fruit juice all contain instant energy and will help you reach the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables you should eat each day.  So instead of reaching for that quick-fix chocolate bar why not try a handful of cherries instead?

6.     Laugh

Laughing releases more of those mood-boosting endorphins found in the brain, which make you feel less stressed and anxious.  Not only this it is a great way to give your self a mini workout just think about how many muscles are being worked every time you have a giggle?  Studies have also shown that people who laugh regularly have a better immune system, so what better excuse do you need to meet up with friends and have a laugh?

Winter is a time when we need to really focus on increasing our activity levels as this will automatically increase our overall energy and give us the get-up-and-go to banish the winter blues.