Millions yet to mentally recover from festive break

Most people agree that Monday mornings present a major challenge in terms of getting our brains back into 'work mode' after the weekend - but today in particular is doubly difficult. As the second week of January begins, a new survey reveals that more than four million of us have yet to mentally recover from the festive party season, despite it being almost two weeks ago.

While the physical effects of our over-indulgence over the festive period may have only lasted a few hours, this can still take its toll on mental performance for weeks to come. Last week, more than half of us admitted that our brains were functioning at less than 75% of their required ability. For most of us, it will be sometime this week that our minds finally begin to kick into gear.

This head-swimming problem is bad enough for most people on a Monday morning at most times of the year, even without the festive backlash. According to the survey by Drench spring water, just 29% of people feel they have sufficiently recovered from a typical weekend night out by the following Monday, regardless of where it falls in the calendar.

So is there anything that actually can help to get our brains back on their feet? Neuroscientist Dr Jack Lewis shares his top tips to get your brain waving in no time.

1. Keep your brain hydrated. As your brain is 75% water, even mild dehydration leads to cognitive impairment - where your brain cannot work at its full potential.

2. Exercise regularly. Physical exercise improves the supply of nutrients and removal of toxins. It also induces release of hormones and brain chemicals that make you feel bright and alert.

3. Stretch your brain a little every day with picture and number puzzles, word games, logic problems, riddles, and reading. Just 20 minutes of brain training per day slows brain aging by strengthening brain connections.

4. Eat well to keep your brain energized. Oats, jacket potatoes and wholemeal all contain slow-release sugars that give the brain the steady energy supply it loves. Slow down brain aging by eating anthocyanins (powerful anti-oxidants) that can be found in blueberries and strawberries. Achieve better brain cell function by eating fish, seeds and omega oils.

5. Always be thinking. Think ahead and make a plan for the next few steps of your day

For more information, log on to Staydrenched.co.uk.