Natural remedies to boost energy and wellbeing

The energy drainer
Caffeine is recognised as an energy drainer if you overindulge, leading to restlessness, insomnia, headache, anxiety and fatigue. Paradoxically, small amounts can increase endurance and exercise performance - possibly because it helps muscle cells to burn fatty acids as fuel.

Keep your caffeine intake to a minimum - no more than two to three cups per day if you have winter malaise. A person weighing 11 stone (70kg) who drinks more than six caffeinated drinks a day (e.g. six cups of coffee) is at risk of caffeine poisoning.

How your lifestyle can help
For maximum energy, you need to balance a healthy diet and lifestyle. Here are some suggestions to help you get on track:

1. Take control of your life - don't be put upon; learn to say 'no' and mean it when unreasonable demands are made
2. Take regular breaks - get up, walk around the office, take deep breaths and stretch
3. Take a power nap if you need it during the day
4. Take regular exercise to boost energy storage and production inside muscle cells
5. Get out in the fresh air and natural daylight as much as possible
6. Relax - treat yourself to a massage, a facial, or a soak in an aromatherapy bath. Just sitting down quietly a listening to music by candlelight, or finding a quiet spot to read a book will help
7. Get plenty of refreshing sleep - keep a window ajar at night to allow oxygen to circulate

Supplements to put the zing back
If your energy levels are low, take a multivitamin and mineral supplement containing around 100 per cent of the recommended daily amount (RDA) of as many micronutrients as possible as a nutritional safety net to guard against deficiencies.