Stress and exhaustion

When we’re stressed we often ignore out diet, cut back on exercise and feel exhausted. Sleep deprivation prevents the body from doing its important repair work at night, instead of feeling refreshed and revitalised in the morning one can feel drowsy and slow.

Stress can result in a diet packed with convenience foods rather than healthy and fresh produce. Finding time to look after yourself is imperative to get through stressful times. Convenience does not have to equate to unhealthy food. A bottle of AOk and a quick salad or sandwich can be enough to get you through the day until you can get a proper meal.

Stuart Roberts, our in-house nutritionist, advises:
“We all encounter inevitable stresses in our lives. Giving ourselves the best possible support through exercise and a well balance whole-food diet is essential in helping us to cope with unavoidable stressful situations.”

Antioxidants help to fight various diseases and infections by helping to protect the immune system from damage from free radicals; without a good supply of antioxidants we become more prone to colds and flu, which make us feel more exhausted and stressed. Tiredness will also lead to illness as the body does not have enough rest time to rebuild and replenish itself.

Tiredness is often overlooked as a symptom of ill health. It can also predispose the body to an array of other ailments such as poor concentration, low mood and low blood pressure. After a while of sleepless nights (perhaps due to stress or a new baby in the family), getting some decent sleep may not be the only solution. It is also important to replenish nutrient levels, which are required for energy production.

If you are experiencing unexplainable chronic tiredness it is advisable to visit your doctor.

Skipping breakfast ? Tiredness and oversleeping in the morning can result in missing breakfast, which will make you feel tired and hungry sooner in the day and can often result in people grabbing convenience food on the go.

“Breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dine like a pauper.“

When you wake up in the morning your body has been without food for many hours and it needs refuelling. The name of this meal tells us it’s importance as we are literally BREAKING A FAST which has been going on while we have been asleep. The brain needs a regular supply of glucose to function, and in the morning glucose stores are running low. Eating a healthy breakfast packed with healthy nutrients including vitamins, minerals and antioxidants can top up energy levels. Eating breakfast will help to stop your blood sugars from dipping during the morning. It will give your body and mind the energy they need to function optimally, setting you up for the day ahead.

Eating breakfast also kick-starts your metabolism, so if you have weight to lose, skipping breakfast is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. You need to get your metabolism up and running as soon as possible so that it isn’t on hold during the day and clinging onto fat reserves you don’t need.

You may not feel like eating immediately after getting out of bed, so give yourself a little time to wake up before eating. When possible try to avoid grabbing breakfast and eating it as you walk to the station; you need to make sure that what you are eating is optimum fuel for your body and brain. Avoid coffee/tea, white bread and muffins and sugary cereals made from refined grains because these will only give you a short lift. Make long lasting energy-boosting choices instead that have a low glycemic index.

High glycemic foods like cakes and refined white bread give you a sudden burst of energy followed by a dip. Low glycemic index food and dinks help maintain a stable blood sugar level which gives you the energy you need without having to resort to stimulants such as coffee or sweet refined foods.

AOk is a delicious, fruity drink to enjoy alongside a healthy breakfast. Here are a few suggestions of how you can start your day on a good note:

Scrambled eggs, tomatoes and chopped avocado.

Wholegrain brown (toasted if preferred) bread topped with cottage cheese, nuts and seeds, is another slow-release, protein-packed, energising breakfast option alongside a cup of herbal tea and a glass of fruit juice.
A boiled egg and wholemeal or rye toast with a homemade fruit smoothie.

Porridge topped with berries and ground nuts or seed, fresh fruit and a bottle of AOk.