With summer officially upon us on 21st June, it’s time to get set for summer! Whether you’re
counting down to a fabulous family holiday or wondering how you’ll juggle working with kids
at home, it’s never been more important to set your energy level on high!
Fortunately, Harley Street Nutritionist Kate Cook is here with some top tips to keep your
energy levels buzzing all through the summer months.
1. Cut down on caffeine
If you think energy fix and think caffeine – think again! Whilst the initial rush from a cup of
tea or coffee might feel like it’s getting you out of bed in the morning, in reality, it is fooling
your body into a false sense of security. All it’s actually doing is overstimulating powerful
stress hormones, making your heart beat faster and disrupting both your blood sugar and
energy.
If you have too much caffeine it will eventually cause a slump later in the day, and drinking it
too late in the afternoon will lead to poor sleep. Try hot water with lemon as a refreshing,
hydrating alternative.
2. Eat the rainbow
The more colourful your plate, filled with fruit or vegetables, the healthier it is and the more
energy you will get from this. Greens are good, so include plenty of broccoli and spinach for
magnesium, which will help to maintain energy levels. Vegetables contain dietary fibre,
which help to pass food through the digestive system, improving vitamin and mineral
absorption and contributing to increased energy levels.
Instead of reaching for sweet treats like candy, try natural alternatives such as fruit, giving
your energy a much needed lift. Fruit can provide vitamins and minerals, which contribute to
great health and can boost your energy.
3. Step out
Try walking for 30 minutes each morning when the day is at its lightest and this will help you
to feel more energetic for the rest of the day. Or if walking isn’t for you, try yoga or Pilates for
energising breathing techniques.
Walking isn’t just good for energy, it’s good for weight management as well as
cardiovascular health and general fitness – and what’s more, in the current cost of living
crisis, it’s completely free!
4. Get your Zzzzs
Sleep is so important for good health, wellbeing and, of course, preparing your body to feel
its best the next day. Lack of sleep can impact mental wellbeing, focus and energy levels as
well as heart health and immunity 1 . Try to get 7-8 hours sleep per night and wind down to
bedtime by taking a warm bath with magnesium salts and switching off devices.
Just as a cup of coffee isn’t the best thing for getting up in the morning, a glass of wine isn’t
good for going to bed either (sorry!). As well as alcohol, avoid sugary treats or anything with
a hidden caffeine content. Spicy and acidic foods are also known to cause problems with
sleep patterns and are best avoided.
5. Supplement your energy
If your energy levels feel like they need a top-up, magnesium might be
the answer! NaturesPlus raspberry-flavoured gummies supply 105mg
of magnesium citrate to help support muscle function whilst offering
psychological and energy metabolism support.
Perfect for those with active lifestyles, magnesium contributes to the
reduction of tiredness and fatigue, supporting electrolyte balance and
energy-yielding metabolism. It also helps the body to make use of
vitamin D and calcium which produce hormones to support healthy
bones and teeth.
These gummies are vegan-friendly!
Available from sephora.co.uk
1 https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sleep-and-tiredness/why-lack-of-sleep-is-bad-for-your-health/
NaturesPlus Gummies are available from various stockists such as sephora.co.uk,
Amazon UK, Landys Chemist and independent health stores.
Follow NaturesPlus on Instagram @naturesplus or visit their website naturesplus.co.uk
