Simple carbs — found in sugar and starchy, processed foods, provide a quick boost but are immediately followed by a crash from rapid spikes and drops in blood sugar levels.

Consider a vitamin B supplement. B12 supports energy production and maintains blood cell health. Take a nap. Research by the National Institute of Mental Health found afternoon naps improved cognitive function, especially alertness.

Go for a walk. If you feel sluggish, get up and move, especially after a meal. A brisk minute walk improved energy with effects lasting up to two hours, in experiments conducted by California State University.

Be strategic about caffeine. A cup or two of coffee or tea can help enhance mental clarity. But to get the right benefits, consume caffeine judiciously.

Chronically high consumption can lead to adrenal dysfunction, throwing energy and sleep cycles off. Improve sleep quality. Head to bed earlier, and maintain a sleep schedule. Cool it. Heat can make us more relaxed and sleepy. Try a cold shower, or even a cold plunge or ice bath.

Lower the thermostat before bed; experts say 65 degrees is the perfect temperature for optimal sleep. Get your labs checked. Thyroid issues, anemia, depression and certain medications may cause fatigue. Overwork can include professional, family, and social obligations.

Try to streamline your list of "must-do" activities. Set your priorities in terms of the most important tasks. Pare down those that are less important. Consider asking for extra help at work, if necessary. Exercise almost guarantees that you'll sleep more soundly.

It also gives your cells more energy to burn and circulates oxygen. And exercising can lead to higher brain dopamine levels, which helps elevate mood. When walking, pick up the pace periodically to get extra health benefits. You know smoking threatens your health.

But you may not know that smoking actually siphons off your energy by causing insomnia. The nicotine in tobacco is a stimulant, so it speeds the heart rate, raises blood pressure, and stimulates brain-wave activity associated with wakefulness, making it harder to fall asleep.

And once you do fall asleep, its addictive power can kick in and awaken you with cravings. If you think you may be sleep-deprived, try getting less sleep. This advice may sound odd but determining how much sleep you actually need can reduce the time you spend in bed not sleeping.

This process makes it easier to fall asleep and promotes more restful sleep in the long run. Here's how to do it:. Eating foods with a low glycemic index — whose sugars are absorbed slowly — may help you avoid the lag in energy that typically occurs after eating quickly absorbed sugars or refined starches.

Foods with a low glycemic index include whole grains, high-fiber vegetables, nuts, and healthy oils such as olive oil. In general, high-carbohydrate foods have the highest glycemic indexes. Proteins and fats have glycemic indexes that are close to zero.

Caffeine does help increase alertness, so having a cup of coffee can help sharpen your mind. But to get the energizing effects of caffeine, you have to use it judiciously.

It can cause insomnia, especially when consumed in large amounts or after 2 p. One of the best hedges against the midafternoon slump is to avoid drinking alcohol at lunch. The sedative effect of alcohol is especially strong at midday.

Similarly, avoid a five o'clock cocktail if you want to have energy in the evening. If you're going to drink, do so in moderation at a time when you don't mind having your energy wind down. What's the only nutrient that has been shown to enhance performance for all but the most demanding endurance activities?

It's not some pricey sports drink. It's water. If your body is short of fluids, one of the first signs is a feeling of fatigue. For more information on the many things you can do to increase your natural energy, order our Special Health Report, Boosting Your Energy.

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Squeezing in more sleep is one of the easiest methods for how to get energy in the morning. Plus, here are some of my favorite sleep tips that also help boost energy levels:.

Instead, they help your entire body gently cope with stress, anxiety and, of course, fatigue. Some of the best adaptogen herbs that have been shown to boost energy and combat low energy in females and males alike include ashwagandha, rhodiola , holy basil and ginseng.

Incorporating adaptogenic herbs into your daily routine could help you feel calmer, less exhausted and more focused. The Ayurvedic herb shilajit also is an energizer, as it encourages the function of mitochondria, helping them oxygenate more efficiently.

While they do provide your body with energy, foods heavy in carbohydrates can leave you feeling sluggish. The main culprit? Simple carbs, like those found in sugary drinks, cookies and processed foods think white bread and pasta , which burn through your body quickly.

The solution for how to boost energy when tired and keep blood sugar levels steady? Stick to whole-grain, low-glycemic carbohydrates that take the body longer to digest and avoid the crash and burn effect.

Nuts, legumes, sweet potatoes, oats and brown rice are all low-glycemic carbohydrates that provide the body with a steady stream of energy. If your only experience with chia seeds is the Chia Pet, prepare to be pleasantly surprised. These magic little natural energy foods boost energy levels and provide your body with a lot of nutritional bang for the buck.

The ancient Mayans and Aztecs ingested chia seeds to keep up energy and alertness among warriors during war. For us mere mortals, the essential fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6 found in chia seeds have been shown to enhance sleep quality, boost brain power and combat inflammation, which keeps your body feeling fresh.

Coupled with high levels of protein and fiber, which keep blood sugar stable no afternoon sugar crashes! Did you know that one of the first signs of dehydration is feeling tired or exhausted?

Because our bodies are made up of mostly water, even small dips in hydration are enough to affect your metabolism. The National Academy of Medicine suggests about nine cups of fluids a day for women and 13 cups for men.

However, a more accurate amount is found like this: Take your body weight, and divide it in half. Then drink that many ounces per day plus more if you work out, are really active, are pregnant, nursing, or are fighting an illness or disease.

B12 supports energy production and maintains blood cell health. Take a nap. Research by the National Institute of Mental Health found afternoon naps improved cognitive function, especially alertness.

Go for a walk. If you feel sluggish, get up and move, especially after a meal. A brisk minute walk improved energy with effects lasting up to two hours, in experiments conducted by California State University. Be strategic about caffeine. A cup or two of coffee or tea can help enhance mental clarity.

But to get the right benefits, consume caffeine judiciously. Chronically high consumption can lead to adrenal dysfunction, throwing energy and sleep cycles off. Improve sleep quality.

Head to bed earlier, and maintain a sleep schedule. Cool it. from exercises to build a stronger core to advice on treating cataracts. PLUS, the latest news on medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School experts. Sign up now and get a FREE copy of the Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness.

Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School. Recent Blog Articles. Flowers, chocolates, organ donation — are you in? What is a tongue-tie? What parents need to know. Which migraine medications are most helpful? How well do you score on brain health?

Shining light on night blindness. Can watching sports be bad for your health? Beyond the usual suspects for healthy resolutions. August 30, Surprising ways to get more energy including stress relief and healthy eating Go to the store, and you'll see a multitude of vitamins, herbs, and other supplements touted as energy boosters.

Here are nine tips: 1. Control stress Stress-induced emotions consume huge amounts of energy. Lighten your load One of the main reasons for fatigue is overwork. Exercise Exercise almost guarantees that you'll sleep more soundly.

Avoid smoking You know smoking threatens your health. Restrict your sleep If you think you may be sleep-deprived, try getting less sleep. Here's how to do it: Avoid napping during the day. The first night, go to bed later than normal and get just four hours of sleep. If you feel that you slept well during that four-hour period, add another 15—30 minutes of sleep the next night.

As long as you're sleeping soundly the entire time you're in bed, slowly keep adding sleep on successive nights. Eat for energy Eating foods with a low glycemic index — whose sugars are absorbed slowly — may help you avoid the lag in energy that typically occurs after eating quickly absorbed sugars or refined starches.

Use caffeine to your advantage Caffeine does help increase alertness, so having a cup of coffee can help sharpen your mind. Limit alcohol One of the best hedges against the midafternoon slump is to avoid drinking alcohol at lunch.

Drink water What's the only nutrient that has been shown to enhance performance for all but the most demanding endurance activities? Image: ©Gilaxia GettyImages. Share This Page Share this page to Facebook Share this page to Twitter Share this page via Email.

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