Facing a no-energy crisis? Steal these tips
from five women who have to be on top form – and feel ready for anything
Pack a kick-start kit
“When the phone rings at 3.30am with a
breaking story, I’m out the door in minutes. I always have a bag in my car,
packed with cereal bars, fruit juice and sugar-free Red Bull, as well as beauty
essentials. Putting on a full face of make-up really is like war paint:
it helps my eyes and, crucially, my mind sparkle when I’m on camera.”
Work with your sleep cycle
Sleep
cycle
“I use the Sleep Cycle app* (69p) to help
get a good night’s sleep. You set it to go off within a 30-minutes window, pop
your phone under your pillow and it tracks your sleep pattern by detecting your
movements, waking you during the lightest phase of your cycle. It helps me feel
rested and energized.”
Have a power nap
“When flying, I need to stay alert, but
hours can pass when not much happens, so I do puzzles like Sudoku to keep my
mind active. After a long-haul trip, I sleep for three hours as soon as I get
home, then get up and enjoy the rest of my day off. It might not sound a lot,
but it’s enough for my body and brain to start repairing – it’s a great
refresher.”
Take a brain breather
“My job can be very intense and I see some
distressing cases. I often work a 12-hour shift without a break, so it’s
important to get some balance. After work and on my days off, I like to take a
long walk with my partner, or sometimes I’ll go for a run. Being in nature and
getting fresh air clears my head and peps me up for the next shift.”
Energise with endorphins
“I’ve started having sessions with a
personal trainer twice a week and found energy levels that I didn’t even know
existed. We focus on ‘compound exercises’: squats, lunges and pull-ups, all of
which use lots of muscle groups at the same time. It means my body works harder
and releases more endorphins – I get a kick straight away.”
