This feels slightly shameful to admit as a health and fitness editor, but on Wednesday I went to the gym for the first time since February. I’ve just not had to the time or motivation to do anything other than running. But this week, I finally felt like lifting heavy (and yes, my arms are still paying the price) and it felt so, so good. The reason for my sudden spurt of energy? Creatine. I’ve been trying the supplement for an unrelated brain health experiment, but after two weeks, I finally have the boost to do something hard. Read about the other brain benefits I’ve found this simple powder offers.

Energy and motivation go hand in hand, and in my experience, the former comes down to four things: sleep, stress, movement and nutrition. So, killing two of those birds with one stone, we’ve been experimenting with the impact that meal times can have on sleep. Would you have your last meal at 5pm if it meant sleeping sounder? As someone who dines around 8pm, it seems impractical, but perhaps the science suggests otherwise.

On the stress front, did you know that your dentist probably knows you’re stressed out before you do? These are the signs your workload is becoming an oral issue. And as for movement, well, Serena’s out of Wimbledon – but that doesn’t mean you have to be. Follow our ultimate beginner’s guide to playing tennis or scroll down for some key SW19-inspired bits of kit for your next knockabout/gym session/studio class.  

Cancer rates among the under-50s are on the rise, and according to new research, one reason for that is because we’re ageing faster. At a time when we’re more obsessed with longevity than ever, that doesn’t make sense… or does it? Are we, perhaps, getting all this biohacking wrong? “Taking [healthy] measures won’t guarantee a cancer-free life, as roughly 50% of us will have cancer in our lifetime,” says clinical oncologist Dr Andy Gaya, “but it’ll reduce the risk of avoidable cancers. I live by the philosophy of ‘everything in moderation – including moderation’.”

So with that sage advice ringing in our eyes, what habits do Dr Gaya and his fellow cancer specialists avoid – beyond smoking and excessive boozing? Click the link below to find out.

Question:

I don’t like running – how can I try to make it a more positive experience via nutrition?

Answer:

One thing I’ve learned is that nutrition can make a huge difference to how enjoyable a run feels. If you head out of the door feeling under-fuelled, it’s much more likely to feel like a slog, so I always try to eat something beforehand, ideally at least an hour before setting off. A bagel with peanut butter and banana is one of my go-to options, as it provides carbohydrates for energy alongside healthy fats and protein to keep me going.

If I’m honest, food is often part of the motivation for running in the first place. Living in London provides endless opportunities to make runs more enjoyable – I’ve often planned point-to-point routes that finish at a food market, bakery or favourite cafe, knowing there’s something tasty waiting for me at the end. Sometimes having a great meal or snack to look forward to can be just as motivating as the run itself, and choosing something balanced afterwards can help you feel energised and ready to do it all again.