Get more energy in 5 minutes flat

Get your zest back

Eight easy ways to give you back your get-up-and-go – fast

Loosen up (30 seconds)

You can’t begin to feel more energetic until you’ve got rid of tension. Stand with your legs shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent. Relax your arms and gently bounce your knees, then swing round from your hips, letting your arms flop to the left, then the right. This twists the knots out of your back and frees up your shoulders. Repeat ten times.

S-t-r-e-t-ch (30 seconds)

If you do yoga, you’ll be familiar with the Warrior lunge. It opens up the lungs and stretches the muscles in your upper body. In this version, stand up straight, your legs together and arms at your sides. Breathe in and step forward with your left leg bent while you stretch your arms upward. Breathing out, stretch until you feel a pinch in your lower back. Breathe in to return to the standing position. Repeat three times on each side.

Get the all clear (30 seconds)

Feeling bunged up is a real energy drainer. To clear your head, place your fingers on the inside of your wrist so the little finger lies on the point where your wrist meets your hand. Look where your index finger falls on the inside of your forearm – from this point, press your thumb onto the bone and slide it up and down until you find a sensitive indentation. Repeat three times on each arm. This exercise is recommended for coughs, colds and a blocked nose.

Do the twist (1 minute)

In Chinese medicine, chi is the energy that supplies the body with good health. This acupressure exercise will re-energise you. Take the base of each finger between the thumb and forefinger of your other hand, then twist, rub and pull to the fingertip.

Press here (30 seconds)

Clench your fingers to reveal the pocket in your palm that represents the solar plexus – the seat of wellbeing. Open your hand and press it with your thumb for five seconds. Repeat this three times on each hand.

DIY massage (30 seconds)

This is a good way to wring out the toxins and lactic acid that can leave you feeling groggy. Grasp the back of your neck with the palm of your hand, and squeeze firmly. Move your head around so you can feel the muscles moving under your hand. Grip them strongly enough to stop the muscles moving, and you’ll get a good massage.

Fight lethargy (30 seconds)

The anti-lethargy acupressure point lies between the bones that lead to your big and second toes. To find it, slide your thumb back about four finger-widths towards your ankle until you get close to the end of the groove. To release energy, press firmly and slide your thumb down the groove towards your toes with a strong breath out. Repeat three times on each foot.

Twiddle toes (1 minute)

Finish by playing with your toes. Take each one in turn, twist it, squeeze the base of its nail, stretch it, and rotate it. This will get the energy moving from your toes to the top of your head.

For more ideas, read The Energy Booster Workout by Simon Brown (Newleaf, £7.99).