As the days get shorter and the temperature drops, many of us will begin to find it harder to roll out of bed in the mornings, but even harder to keep our energy levels up after work during the dark evenings.
Darker days disrupt our circadian rhythms – our internal body clocks – and our bodies may also produce more melatonin, which is a hormone that regulates our sleep-wake cycle and encourages us to fall asleep.
Add that to a day of hard work, and it’s not hard to see how many people are struggling to keep their eyes open from 5pm onwards.
So, while it may be more difficult to spend more time in the daylight to stay sharp and energised, here are some tips from John Nolan-Neylan, Co-Founder of Revvies Energy Strips, to help keep you feeling fresh and full of energy in the coming weeks, even after work:
1. Take a power nap
A power nap is just that – powerful! Research shows that you can make yourself more alert, reduce stress, and improve cognitive functioning with a nap, particularly around the middle of the day. A power nap is especially effective if you’ve not managed to get a good night of sleep – even a short, 20-minute nap will re-energise you and help you to power through the end of the working day and beyond.
2. Have an appetite for energy- Try energy strips
We enjoy Revvies Energy Strips as they are the perfect quick pick me up to help you perform at your peak. Used by professional sports teams and Olympic athletes, you can take them without any water for a convenient and rapid boost of energy. Taking a Revvies strip in a moment of fatigue, or just at the end of the working day, will give you the alertness and energy you need to help you make the most of your evenings!
3. Go for a run/exercise
Most people would assume that going for a run or doing some exercise when you’re tired will make you even more tired… believe it or not, pushing yourself to go for a little run can in-fact wake you up and give you a second boost of energy. Exercise releases potent feel-good hormones like endorphins, which can help keep your energy levels topped up for hours. Even a short 20-30-minute home-based workout after work will leave you feeling good all evening.
4. Have some ‘mindful’ me time, and meditate
Practicing mindfulness, and particularly engaging in a simple meditation practice, has been linked to a host of cognitive benefits.
Allowing yourself some time to relax, quiet the mind, and focus on regular, smooth breathing can boost the brain’s executive functions, reduce impulsive and emotional behaviour, improve mood, and leave you feeling energised. This is an especially effective technique after a draining workday to achieve a productive, feel-good evening.
5. Organise your time to make the most out of your day
The benefits of organising your day are simple – being more organised and achieving your goals gives you a great sense of satisfaction, and gives you more time to reap the rewards of the other tips on this list!
Being able to effectively plan your day will help you to boost your productivity – both at work and at home – and enable you to take the me time, nap time and exercise time needed to live an energy-filled life.
John Nolan-Neylan, Co-Founder of Revvies, discusses the importance of keeping our energy levels consistent throughout the day, and how Revvies keeps elite level triathletes and Olympians charged to perform:
“Staying sharp and energised throughout the day is a challenge at the best of times, but as the days get shorter and we find ourselves spending hours of the day in darkness, it can become very difficult to stay energised and boosted, particularly after a hard day’s work.
Fortunately, there are some simple tips to keep your energy levels high throughout the day and evening, even in winter – power naps, mindfulness and quality exercise are sure-fire ways to give yourself a little pick-me-up.
Revvies energy strips are another fantastic way to remain energised and alert – used by elite athletes and sportspeople across the globe, Revvies is the fastest and most convenient way to experience a great boost of energy, without the hassle and side effects of sugary energy drinks and gels.