Eat Well, Live Well - Ten quick energy fixes

Suffering from the mid-afternoon slump, or a post-dinner daze? Or perhaps you simply don't want to get out of bed in the morning. Whenever your energy crisis hits, try these simple boosters to spur you on:

•    Go for a walk in the rain. Wrap up warm, put your wellies on and splash in some puddles. It’ll blow the cobwebs away and you’ll have a good excuse to treat yourself when you get back.

•    Have a glass of water. Simple dehydration is a common cause of that awful ‘draggy’ mid-afternoon energy slump.

•    Phone a friend. Just meeting for a coffee and a laugh on a rainy Sunday will keep you going for the rest of the day.

•    Try something new. Whether it’s picking up a book by an author you’ve never heard of, taking a new route to work, or buying a different newspaper, there’s nothing like novelty to spark your interest.

•    Be lazy! Remember the poem: ‘What is this life, if full of care/We have no time to stand and stare?’ Take five minutes to do nothing. Turn off your computer, sit in a quiet place, clear your mind and close your eyes.

•    Swap sugary snacks for oaty ones which release energy into your bloodstream more slowly - they won’t give you that sugar-fix rollercoaster ride.

•    Give yourself a five-minute facial. Steam your face over a sink of hot water for a couple of minutes, then cleanse and splash with cold water to tone. Finish off with your favourite moisturiser and you’ll be surprised at how refreshed you feel.

•    Throw on a red, pink or yellow scarf – these happy, ‘warm’ colours will lift your mood and brighten your day.

•    Breakfast like a king. Eating a regular breakfast helps to stabilise your blood sugar levels, which regulate your appetite and energy.