The depths of winter might seem far away but new research by E.ON has revealed that the Autumn blues have hit as nearly half (45%) of people from Birmingham admit to having lower energy levels and needing a recharge.
All the statistics add up to this week being the most fatiguing over the year, with 49% of people from Birmingham feeling more drained this year compared to last – with a quarter (25%) saying this is because we’ve not had time to recharge our mind, body or soul. A third (33%) found October one of the most draining months, with the main reason for this being family stress (45%) or UK politics (29%).
Brits are more likely to search online for ‘relaxation’ in October than at any other time of the year, research from Google has revealed, and over a third (34%) of those in Birmingham say the wet and windy autumnal weather is one of the main reasons for their seasonal drop in energy levels.
Eating unhealthily (22%) and not exercising (13%) also make people feel drained, which is why E.ON has partnered with broadcaster Melanie Sykes, known for her passion for health and wellbeing, to share her tips on how you can recharge your energy levels.
Melanie Sykes says: “For some, October is traditionally a pretty miserable month and can feel quite flat at times. The weather’s getting wetter, days are getting darker and there are no bank holidays to look forward to until Christmas; which is three months away! But rather than resigning yourself to months of feeling drained and miserable, why not look at the ways you can turn the change of season to benefit you now, and for the rest of the year?”
Belinda Moore, Marketing & Communications Director at E.ON UK, adds: “As the research suggests we all need an extra recharge in the autumn. Not only do we need to recharge our own mind, body and soul, but it’s also important to ensure we keep the heart of our homes, the boiler, in good service too. While energy is essential to our lives we wanted to showcase the amazing things people can do with energy which is why we’re bringing the Recharge Retreat to London with Melanie. Her can-do attitude, coupled with our innovative energy solutions, should help recharge people’s batteries this autumn making their lives that bit easier.”
Melanie Sykes’ top tips to recharge your batteries
· Get creative in the kitchen: After a busy day, it might seem much easier to order a takeaway rather than cook something fresh for dinner. However, spending time in the kitchen creating and preparing food – whether that’s a bowl of a pasta for one or a family meal – can be a great way to relieve stress and wind down for the evening. The best part of this is you can use all-natural ingredients to ensure you get the healthy kick you need this autumn.
· The literary prize: Reading is the perfect chance to escape those autumn blues and transport yourself into another world. It doesn’t matter where I am; in the house or on the commute, a good book gives me the chance to take time out of the day to relax!
· Bring warmth to your relaxation: Surprisingly, only 2% of people from Birmingham said a spa was their favourite place to relax, with the number one spot being at home. Make sure your home is cosy by using a smart thermostat, like tado° from E.ON, to ensure its nice and toasty for when you arrive home.
· Turn feeling down into a downward dog: With 45% of people from Birmingham admitting to having low energy levels this time of year, one solution to recharge batteries is to start practising yoga. Yoga is not only great for your body, but also your mind, as it provides the perfect opportunity to meditate while you pose, leaving me feeling refreshed after every session.
· The final piece of the puzzle: Relaxation can come from simply distracting yourself. Personally, I find solving a jigsaw puzzle with my family the perfect way to recharge my batteries and feel a fun sense of achievement once we’ve finished a puzzle. In the wet and windy autumnal weather why not challenge your friends to complete a jigsaw with you?
To provide some help with an energy boost this October, Melanie is working with E.ON to launch the Recharge Retreat from Wednesday 17th to Friday 19th October at London’s South Bank. Visitors can take a little time out of their busy days for meditation led by Roxie Nafousi, a quick workout from fitness guru Roger Frampton or a soulful cooking lesson with Jasmine Hemsley while enjoying a revitalising juice or smoothie from the Detox Kitchen, all while overlooking the Thames.
