Short days and dark nights can leave us low on energy during the winter months. If you’re struggling with sluggishness and feeling the need to hibernate, these tips to keep your energy high this winter should help.
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For many of us, the winter months are an excuse to slow down, get snuggly, and spend our days wrapped up warm on the sofa. Between the colder weather and the shorter days, there’s less to motivate us to feel enthused and energised at this time of year.
Sadly, modern life doesn’t really allow us to indulge our desire to snuggle as much as we might like. We’re still expected to show up for work, for our studies, and for social engagements.
And, while curling up on the sofa in front of Netflix might be fun, there’s a more difficult side to the winter months for many of us. Lack of daylight can disrupt our sleep patterns, leaving us feeling sluggish, fatigued, and unable to concentrate.
If you are struggling to maintain your get-up-and-go during the colder months, our list of tips to keep your energy high this winter should help.
1. Get Outdoors
Hard though it feels to drag yourself out of your warm cosy bed, one of the best things you can do for your energy levels in the wintertime is to up your daylight exposure, especially first thing in the morning.
Lack of exposure to daylight causes our bodies to produce more melatonin, the hormone associated with feeling drowsy and ready for sleep. As a result, we typically produce more melatonin in the winter, which may be partly why we feel low on energy at this time of year.
Getting outdoors in the morning helps us to increase our sunlight exposure and supports our bodies in maintaining a healthy sleep-wake cycle.
2. Take Vitamin D
Vitamin D is crucial for many of our bodily functions, including our immune systems, our bones, and our energy levels. But those of us who live far from the equator rarely get enough vitamin D from sun exposure alone, especially during the winter.
Vitamin D deficiency is associated with fatigue and lethargy, but studies have shown that taking a vitamin D supplement can help to improve our energy levels.
The NHS recommends that everyone takes 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day during autumn and winter to keep their levels healthy.
3. Get Moving
Hard though it might be to motivate yourself to exercise when you’re feeling tired and sluggish, getting moving helps to give us more energy in the long run.
Not only does getting fitter mean you’ll have more energy to do your day-to-day tasks, but exercise also helps us to sleep better at night, so we’re more likely to feel refreshed and awake in the mornings.
Plus, exercise triggers the release of endorphins which raise your mood and your energy levels, leaving you feeling happier and more awake.
If you are struggling to find the motivation you need to get moving, our NutraBoost tea may help. Packed with energising herbs like green tea, ginseng, and ashwagandha, it’s designed to give you the burst of vitality and energy you need in the winter months.
4. Eat Well
Many of us find we’re more drawn to sugary foods during the winter months, especially when we’re feeling low on energy. Although sugar provides us with a quick jolt of energy, we soon pay the price when our blood sugar levels crash afterwards, leaving us feeling even more irritable and tired than before.
Instead, try to stick to a healthy, balanced diet that includes sources of slower release energy, such as whole grains, as well as plenty of vegetables, fruits, and pulses to keep your body functioning well and support your immune system.
5. Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Lack of daylight can mean our sleep is disrupted during the winter months. If you’re already finding it difficult to wake up in the mornings, it might be a surprise to hear that working on your sleep can help.
But for some of us, excessive sleepiness at this time of year is a sign that we’re not getting the high-quality rest we need. So, having a healthy sleep routine might help us feel more alert and energised during the day.
Try going to bed at around the same time every night, avoiding screens for at least an hour before bedtime, and having a gentle wind-down routine to help your body relax before sleep.
You might also want to try incorporating herbs that support healthy sleep. Try our NutraRelax blend or our Chamomile & Valerian flagship tea.
