Keeping up your energy

ARE you too tired to take in an afternoon lecture? Do you find yourself collapsing into bed by the end of the day?

If you are doing too much, then you have to examine your class schedule again. But if you are tired without good reason and every day is a struggle, then check out these tips and put some energy back into your day.

Work your body

Being physically fit means your body can stream oxygen and nutrients to your brain – the less fit you are, the less efficient your body-brain system will be.

Make space every day for a brisk 15-minute walk or do something fun at least three times a week such as tennis or paintball.

Understand your brain on sugar

Our brain runs on glucose, but our bodies cannot store it. If you do not eat often enough, your glucose or blood sugar levels drop and your brain drops out of gear, too.

But if you overeat, the body cannot cope and the excess sugar is stored as fat, which is not good.

The trick to keeping your brain fuelled is to make sure you have a constant flow of blood sugar. Do this by eating four or five small meals throughout the day rather than a few snacks and one big meal.

Watch your mouth

Junk and processed food is usually loaded with saturated fat, salt and sugar that bloat your body and are low on vitamins and micronutrients that you need for good brain function.

Be responsible for what you put in your mouth. Buy a bag of mixed salad leaves, add some chopped tomato, cucumber and capsicum, toss in a splash of bottled low-fat salad dressing and eat.

Follow up with fresh fruits. Do this twice a day.