Late nights, short days and non-stop socialising can all have the kryptonite-effect on your energy. Amy Grier reveals 10 science-backed fixes that really fight fatigue.
1. ADD BUZZ TO YOUR MORNING
Try a hit of moringa powder first thing in the morning, an ancient wonder ingredient made from the leaves of a sub-Himalayan plant. ‘It’s loaded with vitamins C and A, iron and protein, and works at a mitochondrial level – in the powerhouses of each cell,’ says nutritionist and author Vicki Edgson. But a word to the wise: ‘Don’t take it in the afternoon or you’ll be too buzzed to sleep at night.’ Edgson also recommends switching your cereal to a high-protein breakfast. ‘Think eggs or poached salmon with plenty of greens, an almond-milk smoothie with a spoonful of almond butter, dates and a banana, or buckwheat pancakes with grated Parmesan for that slow release of energy throughout the day.’
2. EXERCISE LATER
Is that 7am spin class killing you? You have our permission to stop right now. The fact is, late afternoon is the optimum workout time for boosting energy. Talk to your boss about pushing back your lunch break, because research from the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine shows that just half an hour of exercise in the afternoon helps you sleep up to 45 minutes longer at night. Added bonus? You’ll also perform better at work ‘Just ten minutes of intense movement can work wonders,’ says Cathy Brown, personal trainer at The Third Space gym in London. ‘Try a five-minute jog, then eight Tabata sprints.’ That’s 20 seconds of maximum output, followed by 10 seconds of rest, for four minutes.
3. TAKE IRON
This story is from the January 2016 edition of Marie Claire - UK.
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This story is from the January 2016 edition of Marie Claire - UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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