In mid-afternoon at work I find that I lose all my energy and just can’t concentrate any more. Is there something wrong with me?
Joe Hunt, by email

Energy slumps like this are usually the result of your lifestyle or your job or both. You can avoid them easily enough.

If you don’t take regular breaks throughout the day you’ll feel tired and find it difficult to concentrate. If you miss breakfast and snack on sugary foods, your body won’t have had slow-release carbs to keep it going and you’re likely to suffer sugar highs and lows. Stress builds if you’re under pressure, making concentration harder.

The solutions? Always eat breakfast, take five minutes each hour to relax and unwind away from your desk, and drink around eight glasses of fluid a day because dehydration can affect concentration. Snack on nuts and fruit, rather than chocolate and other sugar-laden snacks. You could also consider a supplement with energy boosters such as ginseng and B vitamins because these are needed for energy production.Avoid energy

If all this still doesn’t work, try to raise enough energy to go and see your GP.

If you would like more information about Dr Rob Hicks please visit www.drrobhicks.co.uk.