What’s your energy like throughout the day?
Patrick Holford and Dr Hyla Cass developed the following quiz for their book Natural Highs: Increase your energy, sharpen your mind, improve your mood, relax and beat stress (approx $29.50; Piakus).
For each ‘yes’ you report below you get one point. Add up your score for a mark out of 14.
YES / NO
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Do you have trouble getting up in the morning?
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Do you rely on a cup of coffee to get you going in the morning?
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Do you feel tired all the time?
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Do you often feel foggy, fuzzy, flat or dull?
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Do you have trouble concentrating?
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Do you use sugar, caffeine (tea, coffee, caffeinated cola drinks) or a cigarette as a pick-me-up throughout the day?
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Are you often irritable or angry, for no apparent reason?
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Do your moods seem to go up and down for no apparent reason?
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Are your mood swings often relieved by food, especially sweets?
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Do you have trouble falling asleep at night?
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Do you have headaches or shaky feelings that are relieved by sugar, caffeine or cigarettes?
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Do you suspect you’re addicted to coffee, caffeine or cigarettes?
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Do you find yourself operating from crisis to crisis?
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Are you drawn to thrills, danger or drama in your life?
Your score
As Holford and Cass explain:
Less than 5
You’re doing fine. We all have our moments — bad moods, feeling tired or foggy, and in need of a pick-me-up.
5-10
You are showing signs of an overdependence on stimulants to keep you going. You need to take steps to understand what’s happening in your body, and how to make healthier choices.
More than 10
You may be seriously hooked on stimulants, and it’s affecting your mental and physical health. It’s important for you to take yourself off them.
What next?
If you scored above five, see our info-packed guide to cutting down foods that fuel stress.
References available upon request