4 ways TO BOOST YOUR ENERGY!

MINDY KALING Beat the winter blues and power up your day CINDY CRAWFORD KARLIE KLOSS

FUEL YOUR BODY WITH SMART CARBS

When you need to keep your energy from flagging, ignore your chocolate stash in favour of a bowl of porridge with yoghurt and berries, or a chicken and salad sandwich on brown bread for longer-lasting get-up-and-go.

“Carbohydrates are the main source of energy in your diet, so be sure to include at least two serves of wholegrains, such as oats, rice or wholegrain bread each day,” says accredited practising dietitian Melanie McGrice, who adds that we should be careful to watch portion sizes.

“One serve of carbohydrates is equivalent to 30g oats, half a cup of cooked rice or one slice of bread – be careful not to eat too many carbs at once, since overdoing it can impact your serotonin hormones and make you sleepy,” she cautions.

AVOID DRAINING COMPANY

No-one is happy all the time, but steering clear of the negative Nellies in your life is a guaranteed way to have more verve and vim.

Whether it’s the office busybody wanting an in-depth gossip session, or a whingeing neighbour detailing every ache and pain in their body, these types of people are often referred to as “energy vampires” because they seem to suck the life out of you.

Instead, surround yourself with friends and family who make you feel lively, uplifted and leave you wanting more. Develop a solid getaway plan for anytime you are cornered by one of the vampires in your life.

Try making a show of checking the time, then swiftly explain that they’ll need to give you the two-minute version of whatever is troubling them because there’s something else you need to attend to.

Don’t go into detail about what’s calling you away. Just listen for precisely however long you said you would, then excuse yourself with a smile.

RECONNECT ROMANTICALLY WITH YOUR PARTNER

Being in the arms of your beloved can do even more than put a smile on your face, it can actually give you the added stamina to power through your day’s to-do list.

“There’s nothing like starting your day with a kick of energy combined with the boost of feeling loved and connected,” relationships guru Dr Gabrielle Morrissey explains. “Sexual touch and orgasm is a wellness tonic for your body, giving you a similar energetic high to the kind you get after exercising.”

Getting physical either way boosts your circulation and gets blood flowing to your brain so you’ll think more clearly and feel more invigorated.

While many couples consider evenings the most natural time for intimacy, a morning romp coincides with favourable hormonal conditions for women. “Your testosterone level peaks early in the day so morning sex also takes advantage of when your body is most primed for sex,” Dr Morrissey adds.

STOP TRYING TO DO TOO MUCH

Happiness expert Domonique Bertolucci believes using your energy reserves wisely is essential to making the most of every single day.

“Doing your best doesn’t mean you have to be brilliant at everything all the time,” she writes in her book The Daily Promise: 100 Ways to Feel Happy About Your Life.

“Be realistic about your resources and do the best with what you’ve got.” Pushing yourself to bake an elaborate birthday cake for your partner, doing an extra work shift to cover a friend and rising at 5am to do your leg of a 70km walkathon all on the same weekend leaves little mental or physical energy to enjoy these activities. Instead of over-extending yourself, Dominique suggests setting clear boundaries and manageable goals.

“It’s easy to fall into the habit of being a people-pleaser,” she adds. “Put clear boundaries in place so you know in advance which requests you’re able to accept and which ones you need to firmly decline.” It’s all about preserving your energy for what matters most to you.