More energy, morning to night

Everything from winter’s shorter days to its extra heaping of stress can leave you feeling wiped out. To the rescue: simple fixes that combat winter fatigue any time of the day

Groggy in the a.m.?

Your brain relies on daylight cues to regulate wakefulness. So the lack of morning light in winter makes your body think you’re waking up at night, leaving you groggy. To perk up, start your day with Wordle or Scrabble on your phone. The blue light emitted from digital devices counteracts the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin, which a Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute study suggests helps you feel more awake.

Tired after lunch? Between 2 and 3 pm, your internal body clock slows, leading to a dip in alertness that makes even simple tasks challenging. Instead of reaching for coffee, ask Siri to create a playlist of upbeat tunes. A Fairfield University study found fastpaced music reduces fatigue and boosts efficiency, helping you power through the afternoon without a lull.

5 o’clock burnout?