Intensive study periods can be really heavy going at any time of a student’s education, from high school to university and other specialisation courses during adult life. Study tiredness is manifested through excessive effort in concentrating, difficulty in remembering notions and processing the contents we read.

Tiredness and mental fatigue are a direct consequence of the stress caused by having to memorise lots of information, often in addition to the frustration of reading and re-reading for hours without ever really taking in all the information. Without considering that even anxiety and agitation correlated to school performance and an excessive schedule of commitments can drastically deplete energy levels.

There are several simple practical precautions we can take to prevent mental fatigue and optimise concentration when studying, and help to improve memory levels. Here are some examples.

• The first advice is to always try to have a few minutes’ break every hour.
• Secondly, set a target of a few pages at a time, without overlapping different subjects
• Thirdly: highlight only the most important sentences in the book, in order to create a visual summary.
• Split the day studying with an hour or two of sport, better if outdoors. A little exercise helps to recharge the mental and physical batteries!
• Try not to study until late at night, as the mind will be tired out by a full day of work, and our sight will suffer the consequences too.
• Try to sleep at least 7-8 hours a night.
• Maintain a regular routine and lifestyle.
• Follow a healthy diet: complete, balanced meals provide our brain with all the nutrients it needs to work efficiently. Avoiding large amounts of alcohol and heavy meals that are hard to digest is also a great help!

Vitamins for improving memory and concentration

Like all aspects of human health and well-being, also for recovering alertness, memory and concentration, the first suggestion is to follow a diet rich in vitamins and mineral salts, some of which have proven benefits on the nervous system (including magnesium, iron, zinc, group B vitamins).

Furthermore, some foods help to stimulate cognitive capacities; these are:

• Foods rich in Omega 3: blue fish, nuts, linseed oil, avocado and green leaf vegetables .
• Tomatoes: tomatoes are powerful antioxidants that help to protect the brain from damage caused by free radicals.
• Eggs: rich in group B vitamins, particularly B6, B12 and folic acid.

Supplements for combating study fatigue

To fight fatigue and improve concentration, a correct intake of vitamins and minerals is of fundamental importance. Correct cognitive function also depends on the balance of all nutrients involved in maintaining the well-being of the nervous system.

ApportAL® products are ideal nutritional supplements for offering strength and vitality for cognitive functions, at the same time improving the immune system which is overstretched by study fatigue.

ApportAL® and ApportAL® VitAL contain some active substances formulated to increase the physical and mental energy available, relieving the tiredness that hinders serene study and concentration.

Constant fatigue, shortness of breath, energy used up quickly, states of confusion: these are just some of the symptoms suffered by many patients who have got over Covid-19 but who are having trouble recovering ideal levels of physical and mental well-being. These symptoms persist even after we are no longer positive to the virus, and are known as the “Long Covid effect”, a condition that can affect patients of every age and sex.

The aim of anyone suffering from post-Covid chronic fatigue is obviously to return to correct levels of vitality, recovering the strength needed to perform normal everyday actions without feeling tired and worn out after any minimum effort. Of course, complete recovery is almost never immediate, and this implies a good dose of patience, as well as close attention to small details that can make the difference. For example:

• Avoid alcohol and foods that slow down the digestion
• Consider physiotherapy to recover full body function
• Keep physically active, proceeding gradually with small targets
• Having a daily routine helps to assure a renewed sense of stability and humour
• Mental health is important: it is normal to lose heart when little progress is being made. So it is a good idea to talk to the family and your GP, to avoid isolation.
• Sleep a suitable number of hours

Do not work too hard to get better quickly, as we have to allow the body to follow its own recovery times. Avoid intensive physical activity and training, preferring for example longer and longer walks, and taking a break to catch your breath. As always, on top of this, ensure a balanced diet to top up liquids, vitamins and mineral salts. So plenty of fruit and vegetables, including smoothies, extracts and juices.

Post-Covid: the correct diet for recovering energy

Recovering energy after Covid19 convalescence necessarily requires a diet rich in nutrients, vitamins and minerals. The Mediterranean diet is always the best choice for guaranteeing the right calorie and energy intake.

It is advisable to prefer light, easily digestible meals, alternating lean meat, fish, pasta, potatoes, pulses, eggs and dairy foods. The essential nutrients include proteins and amino acids, which help to recover muscle tone and physical strength.

Supplements for combating post-Covid chronic fatigue

ApportAL® contains functional active ingredients for recovery physical and mental energy and for relieving the typical sensation of tiredness during post-Covid convalescence.

In fact, a survey was recently conducted on around 200 patients suffering from post-Covid symptoms, who were advised to take the food supplement ApportAL®, containing vitamins and minerals that help to reduce fatigue, as well as amino acids and phytoextracts for 28 consecutive days.

The results obtained show a significant improvement in coping with chronic fatigue.

This is thanks to the complete formulation, and particularly the presence of:

• Group B vitamins, which provide the body with a good dose of energy, without which it would be a constant effort to perform normal everyday activities.
• Iron, fundamental for ensuring the correct oxygenation of the body. One detail that should not be neglected when dealing with Covid-19 are the repercussions on the respiratory system.
• Coenzyme Q10, essential for recharging the cells with energy and restoring physical efficiency.
• Magnesium, which aid correct muscle activity, also supporting the functioning of the nervous system.