5 ways to fight back-to-work fatigue

Reboot your productivity and energy levels with these tips

Beauty Crew Beauty Editor / January 30 2017

Finding it hard to get back into the routine of waking up early, spending hours at work and coming home in the evening? You’re certainly not alone. Here, Erika Morvay, naturopath and holistic nutritionist at Fusion Health shares her best advice for overcoming the back-to-work blues.

1

Maintain high energy levels

The best source of fuel for your body comes from healthy foods that are rich in nutrients. “B group vitamins can help our bodies maintain energy levels -  they are essential for keeping our bodies functioning efficiently and play a crucial role in converting food into fuel,” says Morvay. “Unfortunately the human body cannot produce its own B12, despite every single cell in our body needing it! Poultry, meat and dairy are some of the best natural sources of B12, and it can also be found in supplements.”

2

Curb your hunger

It’s safe to say that all normal eating habits go out the window during the holidays, and we’re constantly grazing from day to night. When you’re back at work, you may find it hard to adjust to eating just lunch and perhaps a mid-afternoon snack, too. One fix? “For more than 4000 years cinnamon has been used medicinally to aid blood sugar management, support weight loss and help maintain healthy metabolic function by regulating the feeling of hunger,” says Morvay. She adds, “Ayurvedic medicine has found the piperine compound in black pepper can increase satiety levels and keep you feeling fuller for longer. So grind that black pepper on your lunchtime salad or sandwich and sprinkle some cinnamon on your yoghurt to bid farewell to the 3pm slump.”

3

De-stress

Getting back into the swing of things is never easy, and can leave you feeling stressed. The solution? “Regular exercise, meditation, yoga, socialising with friends and family and listening to music have been shown to be effective ways to manage stress,” Morvay suggests.

4

Leave on time

We get it - it’s not easy leaving at 5 o’clock on the dot. However, when you can, try and finish work on time to give yourself more ‘me’time. To boost productivity through the day so you get more done, Morvay has a recommendation: “Omega-3 triglycerides and omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil can help support brain function and productivity. Get in, get the job done, and get out and enjoy life!”  

5

Get a good night’s sleep

This may seem obvious, but getting at least seven hours of sleep will ensure productivity the following day. And if you find it hard to doze off at night, Morvay recommends the following: “Chinese medicine has been enjoying the benefits of the Zizyphus seed for more than three centuries as a natural sleep-inducing sedative. Albizia can also soothe and calm your mind and body, aiding a good night’s sleep – with the added benefit of reducing the signs of ageing (bonus!). These herbs combined can encourage a peaceful sleep to ensure you’re waking up rested and ready to tackle anything your job may throw at you.”

Speak to your healthcare practitioner to find out which supplement is right for you.

For more health content, check out these tips for mindfulness and follow this guide to eating good and bad fats.

Main image credit: Instagram@rachael_finch

Iantha is BEAUTYcrew's Beauty Editor, and has been part of the team since the site launched in 2016. Besides pinky-nude nail polish and wispy false lashes, she has a healthy obsession with face masks and skin care ingredients. Her previous work can be found in Virgin Australia Voyeur, Women's Health, and SHOP Til You Drop.