You can also make your own electrolyte drink. It supports energy production and keeps blood cells happy and healthy. Sipping on an herbal tea can provide an all-natural temporary boost in energy levels without the risk of scary stimulants or processed ingredients. Two wonderful options are green tea and rooibos tea.

Green tea has many benefits for your body, such as anti-aging and free radical-fighting properties. Rooibos tea is another type of tea that helps fight fatigue.

Commonly used in aromatherapy, animal studies have found that this refreshing essential oil may have a stimulating effect on the brain and is even powerful enough to help treat tension headaches.

Try dabbing a few drops on your wrists when you find your energy lagging, add some to your shower to get an early morning energy boost, or add several drops to a steam diffuser to breathe in the benefits throughout the day.

Does a tough workout wipe you out? Take solace in the fact that incorporating regular exercise into your routine will actually boost energy levels and is one of the best methods for how to increase energy and motivation while also enhancing overall health.

Some of the most common causes of decreased energy include the use of certain medications, thyroid issues , depression and anemia. Chronic fatigue may also be a symptom of more serious conditions as well, such as cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes or kidney problems. Popular Posts All Time This Week {position} Detox Your Liver: A 6-Step Liver Cleanse.

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Axe on Facebook 2. Axe on Instagram K Followers. Axe on Youtube 2. Caffeine can come from a variety of places, including:. Ingesting too much of any of these foods in one day can cause energy spikes and crashes, which can increase daytime sleepiness.

A healthy diet has several benefits, including more consistent energy. Certain Foods Can Boost Your Mood, Health, And Energy , while Others Can Make You Feel Fatigued. Eating highly nutritious meals daily helps improve your overall health, boost your immune system, and improve digestion.

All of these factors have an impact on your energy levels throughout the day. Certain foods help boost your energy, more than others. These include:. Being properly hydrated alongside eating well is a healthy habit to get into when looking to boost your overall energy levels.

As mentioned, certain foods can be problematic —both for digestion and energy. Foods such as Those High In Sugar Can Cause A Crash In Energy Levels , and incredibly heavy foods that take a long time to digest can make you feel fatigued.

Additionally, Food Sensitivities Can Contribute To Fatigue , and cause discomfort that may affect your mood. You can do an Elimination Diet to test for sensitivities, or visit an allergist. Alcohol Is A Depressant And Affects Sleep Quality and overall energy levels.

Alcohol may make you feel drowsy or irritable — both during and after consumption. Increased alcohol intake can also make you dehydrated, additionally contributing to unwanted side effects. Drinking in moderation can help you avoid unwanted side effects of alcohol, including fatigue.

The Centers for Disease Control Prevention CDC define Moderate Drinking As Two Or Fewer Drinks In A Day. Additionally, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism NIAA defines Heavy Drinking As More Than 14 Drinks Per Week. Limiting your drinking can help you avoid the Negative Long-Term Effects Caused By Alcohol Use , as well as help improve your energy levels.

There are several benefits of exercise for general health and wellness, including weight management, Mood Regulation , and Mobility. Â However, regular physical activity can also increase energy levels over time, Especially When It Comes To Work-Related Fatigue. Mayo Clinic recommends that you should be getting in At Least 30 Minutes Of Moderate Exercise Every Day.

This could be:.

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. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content.

Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

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Sign up now and get a FREE copy of the Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness. Fortunately, there are plenty of healthy actions you can take to reduce fatigue and boost your energy levels. In fact, making a few small changes to your daily routine can significantly affect how energetic you feel, along with many other aspects of your health.

Many people cut into hours that should be spent in bed, such as pushing back bedtime to meet a deadline or study for an exam. Not getting enough sleep can drain your energy levels, leaving you feeling lethargic, grumpy, and tired the next day 1.

Although the amount of sleep a person needs can vary slightly, experts generally recommend aiming for at least 7 hours of sleep per night to boost energy levels and support overall health 2. If you have trouble sleeping, you may benefit from setting a regular sleep schedule and winding down at the end of the night by taking a bubble bath, reading a book, or listening to relaxing music.

Some research also suggests that limiting your use of electronic devices, like your phone, laptop, or television, before bed could also help increase sleep quality and prevent daytime sleepiness 3 , 4.

If you often feel tired throughout the day, you may need more quality sleep. Try going to bed earlier and reducing screen time before bed.

Not only can stress take a serious toll on your physical and mental health, but it has also been closely linked to tiredness and fatigue 5 , 6. Consider what is frequently causing you to feel stressed or drained and ask yourself whether you can remove it from your life.

Potential causes of stress include 7 :. In many cases, it may not be possible to completely remove sources of stress from your life. However, if you are able to reduce your stress levels , it could help bump up your energy.

Strategies to increase your energy levels in the moment include taking some time for yourself to relax, reading, or going for a walk. You could also try mindfulness or meditation techniques , which may reduce anxiety 8 , 9 , Read this article for more information on finding mental health care. High levels of stress can make you feel tired and drained.

Finding ways to minimize lifestyle-related stress can help keep up your energy levels. Regular exercise is important for reducing your risk of chronic diseases, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity According to one small study, university students who participated in a low intensity running program 3 times per week for 6 weeks experienced significant improvements in fatigue and sleep quality, compared with a control group Another study in employees with high levels of work-related fatigue showed that participating in a 6-week exercise program improved the following factors 15 :.

To incorporate exercise into your day, try getting away from your desk and going for a walk on your lunch break, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or walking to work or school instead of driving. If you live a sedentary lifestyle and feel low on energy, participating in regular exercises, like walking, running, or cycling, can boost your energy levels.

Smoking can negatively affect multiple health aspects and may increase the risk of numerous chronic conditions Over time, this can reduce the amount of oxygen transported throughout your body, making you feel tired If you regularly smoke, quitting may be associated with many health benefits, including increased energy levels Some people find it helpful to switch cigarettes for a nicotine replacement, like gum, patches, or lozenges They can point you in the direction of the support services that will suit you best.

Smoking can reduce the efficiency of your lungs and make you feel tired. Quitting smoking is great for both your energy levels and your overall health. Drinking alcohol can have a sedative effect and may make you feel drowsy and relaxed However, regularly drinking alcohol before bed can reduce the quality of your sleep 20 , Alcohol can also act as a diuretic, meaning that it increases the production of urine.

Therefore, if you have a few drinks right before bed, it could interrupt your sleep by causing you to wake up in the middle of the night The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC defines moderation as one drink per day for women and two per day for men If you have a hard time limiting your intake of alcohol or would like additional support, consider reaching out to a healthcare professional for more guidance.

This article also provides detailed tips and resources. Alcohol can make you feel drowsy, but it can also interfere with the quality of your sleep.

Here are some tips for napping:. Some evidence suggests that musical activity helps boost energy levels. A study published in found that participants who actively made music through singing, keyboard playing, or rhythm tapping felt more energetic than others.

In contrast, the researchers noted that listening to music or a story might decrease your energy. The next time you listen to a song, try singing along to feel more awake. Your body responds to lightness and darkness as signals to be awake and to fall asleep. Your circadian rhythm —the physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a hour cycle—takes those light and dark signals so that your body knows when to rest and when to be awake.

Here are a few ways you can use sunlight to regulate your circadian rhythm:. Aromatherapy involves applying essential oils, such as those from flowers, herbs, or trees, to your skin or inhaling them. A study published in found that a blend of clove bud, frankincense, orange, and thyme helped decrease fatigue in women with post-acute COVID, or long COVID.

Other essential oils that you might try using include:. There are many other ways to get energy without resorting to a cup of coffee if you are trying to cut back on your caffeine intake. However you decide to get more energy, there are plenty of alternatives to that cup of coffee.

For example, eat regularly throughout the day with lean proteins and fiber-rich carbohydrates since you get energy from food. You can also substitute caffeine with water to avoid dehydration and the fatigue that comes with it. Try relieving stress with exercise or meditation.

Chang AM, Aeschbach D, Duffy JF, et al. Evening use of light-emitting eReaders negatively affects sleep, circadian timing, and next-morning alertness.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. Pham HT, Chuang HL, Kuo CP, et al. Electronic device use before bedtime and sleep quality among university students.

Healthcare Basel. Ginns P, Kim T, Zervos E. Chewing gum while studying: Effects on alertness and test performance. Appl Cogn Psychol. Zhang N, Du SM, Zhang JF, et al. Effects of dehydration and rehydration on cognitive performance and mood among male college students in Cangzhou, China: A self-controlled trial.

Int J Environ Res Public Health. Water in diet. de Rijk MG, van Eekelen APJ, Kaldenberg E, et al. The association between eating frequency with alertness and gastrointestinal complaints in nurses during the night shift.

J Sleep Res. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Eating to boost energy. Campanelli S, Tort ABL, Lobão-Soares B. Pranayamas and their neurophysiological effects. Int J Yoga. Malhotra V, Javed D, Wakode S, et al. Study of immediate neurological and autonomic changes during kapalbhati pranayama in yoga practitioners.

J Family Med Prim Care. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Your guide to healthy sleep. Mendelsohn AI.

Creatures of habit: The neuroscience of habit and purposeful behavior. Biol Psychiatry. NIH News in Health. Good sleep for good health. Bergouignan A, Legget KT, De Jong N, et al. Effect of frequent interruptions of prolonged sitting on self-perceived levels of energy, mood, food cravings and cognitive function.

Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Get active. Lim JH, Kim H, Jeon C, et al. The effects on mental fatigue and the cognitive function of mechanical massage and binaural beats brain massage provided by massage chairs. Complement Ther Clin Pract.

Yang J, Do A, Mallory MJ, et al. Acupressure: An effective and feasible alternative treatment for anxiety during the COVID pandemic. Glob Adv Health Med.

Vitamin D. Sizar O, Khare S, Goyal A, et al. Vitamin D deficiency. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing;

Many of the following tips can help improve other aspects of your life, relieve stress, and give you more healthy coping mechanisms. So if you find yourself frequently saying, “ Why am I tired all the time? ” and “ I don’t have the energy today ”, it’s probably time to address your daily habits, starting with our 7 ways to boost your energy below:.

One of the main effects — among others — of dehydration is a lack of energy. In cases of Mild Dehydration , symptoms of dehydration often go unnoticed.

Dehydration is also incredibly common. The Average Adult Should Drink Between Four to Seven Pints Of Water — about ounces — a day.

You may have heard that eight glasses a day is sufficient, and it may be for your body type. The most important thing to do to stay hydrated is to simply drink whenever thirsty, and drink more plain water than things like juices or caffeinated beverages.

By staying properly hydrated, you can reduce daytime fatigue, boost your mood, and improve your ability to absorb nutrients. Have you ever asked yourself, “ Why am I tired in the morning but more energetic at night?

Being Over-Caffeinated Can Make You More Tired , and cause inconsistent energy throughout the day. Â While It Is A Myth That Caffeine Has Any Significant Diuretics Or Dehydrating Properties, cutting back on it over time can help regulate your energy levels. Caffeine can come from a variety of places, including:.

Ingesting too much of any of these foods in one day can cause energy spikes and crashes, which can increase daytime sleepiness. A healthy diet has several benefits, including more consistent energy. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. SKIP TO CONTENT. Today Logo. Share this —.

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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. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content.

Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE gift. The Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness , is yours absolutely FREE when you sign up to receive Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School. Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health , plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise , pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and more.

Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss from exercises to build a stronger core to advice on treating cataracts.