Are you always tired, lethargic, can’t be bothered to do things yet cannot sleep?

You can give yourself a lift by boosting your energy levels through diet and exercise. Unless you have a specific health problem these will make you feel better and give the energy lacking.

Prior to starting any regime you must visit the doctor first. You could be anaemic or have an underactive thyroid. Both of which need to be diagnosed and treated.

There are many ways to boost your energy levels. Using diet, fitness and health regimes which will help energise your mind, body and soul.

Firstly look at your diet. If you can't function in the morning without gallons of coffee and are then tired out by afternoon, then look at energy-boosting food.

The right combination of carbohydrates, protein and fat eaten at regular intervals will help keep energy levels high. Eating healthy snacks will help keep your blood-sugar levels even so that you don't have energy 'highs' and 'lows'. Eat three regular meals and if hungry between meals eat fruit or celery. This will keep energy levels from falling

Not drinking enough liquids can cause fatigue due to dehydration. That's why there is a need for fruit juices and skimmed milk with every meal choice, rather than ultra-sugary sodas or sweetened beverages that can cause energy lows

Do not eat fried or fatty foods which can make you feel sluggish. The emphasis should be on natural, unprocessed foods like fruits and vegetables that won't slow you down.

A really effective way to boost energy is by exercise. Nothing makes for sluggishness more than sitting around watching TV or whatever. There are loads of ways to take exercise without joining a gym some of which are totally free.

If you are so inclined and need discipline you can of course join a gym but these are often money badly spent. The first month there are loads of enthusiasm but this gradually dwindles due to the time and effort needed to fit in the regime.

Swimming is one of the best exercises and you will feel marvellous afterwards. Most local baths do special rates.

If you don't have time for a conventional workout, try lifestyle exercise such as walking, gardening and climbing stairs. It sounds daft, but keep in mind that during a normal day you probably walk between 4,000 and 5,000 steps. With a little effort, if you take a longer route between work, school or walking home, you can probably get that number up to somewhere between 6,000 and 7,000. There’s no need to count steps, just walk whenever you can.

If you need a jolt to keep up, exercise with a friend or partner. This keeps the motivation going because you don’t want to let each other down.

Finally, look at alternative therapies for a boost to your energy levels. There are many but these are a couple of energy boosting ones.

Releasing energy blockages through Reiki
In this form of natural healing, practitioners act as a channel through which 'Reiki energy' is drawn to areas of need or imbalance.

Acupuncture and acupressure
Acupuncture has been practised in China for thousands of years, and it's growing in popularity in the West as a treatment for pain relief and other disorders.

It is an important treatment in Traditional Chinese Medicine, an ancient system of healing at least 4,000 years old. Symptoms of illness are regarded as signs of 'disharmony,' or a disruption in the flow of 'chi', or 'vital energy,' which is said to run through the body in a network of invisible channels known as 'meridians.'

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