Christmas is a very busy time of year, so if you are doing battle with your to-do list as well as an overflowing calendar and wake up feeling tired because of it, you’re not alone. In fact, at any time of the year, up to 10 per cent of patients at the doctor are there because of fatigue.

Whether it’s planning the Christmas lunch, gift shopping or juggling work commitments that’s wearing you out, here are some easy ways to face the season with renewed vigour. 

Get back to nature
Outdoor activities, such as walking the dog, can significantly reduce your feelings of fatigue, claim researchers from the UK’s University of Essex. Plus soaking up the sun helps regulate your sleep.

Indulge a little
Dark chocolate can boost energy, the UK’s Hull York Medical School says. In the study, chronic fatigue sufferers ate 45g of dark chocolate each day for two months, and felt less tired as a result. 

Two patients went back to work after being off for six months,’ study leader Professor Steve Atkin adds. The reason? Dark chocolate’s high in polyphenols. These are thought to improve levels of serotonin, which researchers believe is linked to chronic fatigue. But moderation’s the key.

Work it out
Regular low-intensity workouts can increase energy by 20 per cent and decrease fatigue by 65 per cent, a University of Georgia study says.

"Too often we think a quick workout will leave us worn-out, especially when we feel fatigued,’ researcher Tim Puetz says. ‘But regular exercise can go a long way in increasing feelings of energy – particularly in sedentary people.’

Laugh out loud
‘Laughing is energising,’ says life coach Marion Maclean, who specialises in weight loss. ‘If you don’t laugh regularly, tension builds up in the body and mind, which drains energy.’ So watch a sitcom or remember a hilarious situation and you’ll be giggling in no time.

Reduce your pain
Try to ease pain rather than just soldier on as it may be causing drowsiness. In fact, 94 per cent of chronic fatigue syndrome sufferers report muscle pain, a University of Iowa study says.

Use rosemary
The smell of rosemary may help increase alertness when feeling drowsy, reports a study from the UK’s Northumbria University. So add a few drops of oil to your bath or put a sprig in your dinner tonight.

Read more: Eat for energy 

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