As we enter week two that for many, is worlds away from the norm (*cough* coronavirus) there are a good few reasons why you might feel under par.

And while most are beyond our control, some of the contributing factors that make us feel groggy in the morning very much sit within our remit.

Like, for instance, routine. Which, it's fair to say, has probably been upended over the past seven days - with many working from home.

What everyone's reading

You don't need to jump out of bed at 7am in order to be at your desk - showered, dressed and breakfasted - by 8:30.

So, you're all good to stay up later one night and delete that alarm for the following morning, right? Not so, according to neurologist Dr Matthew Ebben.

Why do I need a routine if I feel groggy in the morning?

It's all down to your circadian rhythm. Nope, that's not a little-known Sean Paul B-side, but what's essentially a 24-hour internal clock that runs in the background of your brain cycling between sleepiness and alertness at regular intervals.

You might have also heard it referred to as your 'sleep/wake cycle'. But, whatever it's called, one rule stands.

'Your circadian rhythm loves consistency,' explains Dr Ebben. 'This means it wants you to go to sleep and wake up around the same time every day.'

On the flip side, sleeping in after a late night can confuse your body clock, and it can take you most of the following week to get back on track, energy-wise.

Do I need to wake up at the same time every morning?

If you want to be functioning properly, then yes, even in these adjusted times, it pays to carve out a new routine and stick to it.

Sure, you don't need to do all the same tasks between your normal wake up and your normal work start time.

But, if you know that sleeping in is going to mess with your energy levels and make you feel groggy in the morning, then why not work out what else you can do in this new window of AM time.

A home workout, maybe? Or perhaps get creative in the kitchen so you can breakfast on something other than instant porridge.

Stick to your sleep/wake routine - even on weekends

Yep, this advice still stands on Saturday and Sunday mornings, too, so you rise feeling refreshed for Monday and the rest of the week.

If you feel groggy in the morning, you may have the power to change that. Worth a punt, right?

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Headshot of Roisin Dervish-O'Kane
Roisin Dervish-O'Kane
Features Director

Roisín Dervish-O’Kane is Women’s Health’s multi-award-winning Features Director and Chief Interviewer. From her zeitgeist-capturing commissions to profile interviews that spark global media conversations, her journalism gets right to the heart of the biggest talking points across health, society, culture - and their fascinating intersection.

Heading up WH’s industry-leading features offering, she plans, commissions and edits longform features across the site and magazine on everything from why medical sexism leads women to self-diagnose online and the lasting biological harms of emotional self-suppression to whether the booming longevity industry’s claims tally with the research base. She also launched Well Opinionated, the home of incisive, reactive comment on health news, politics and the latest wellness world controversies.

An experienced presenter - she’s hosted The Women’s Health and Intelligence Squared podcasts - you can find her in front of the camera, drawing out the health stories of WH’s cover stars.

Roisín has been named Writer of The Year by the PPA and made their 30 under 30 list. Her writing has also been recognised by the Medical Journalists Association and Guild of Health Writers, while The Women's Health Podcast, which she produced and hosted, earned a highly commended for 'Best Health Podcast' at the Publisher Podcast Awards.

She is also a regular news review contributor on BBC radio, an experienced panel host - and speaker.