Exhaustion.

When it hits, it can be worse than food poisoning on your wedding night. From your brain to your bellybutton, your teeth to your toes, you just feel useless.

I don’t know about you, but when I’m tired, I don’t want to do anything. And more upsetting, I don’t feel like I can do anything.

Going to the gym? Yeah, right. Cooking dinner? I’ll pass—these Hot Pockets will suffice for today.

Now, taking a nap with the TV on in the background? Yes, please.

It’s not as if those of us in great physical shape are impervious to the effects of being all tuckered out. In fact, in my experience, it’s the folks who’re mentally, physically and emotionally fit who end up the most beaten down by a sudden bought of sluggishness.

Being healthy is a lifelong process, not a single-step solution.

To begin with, it does take a bit to ‘rev the engine’ in order to get the ball rolling.

Once rolling, however, there’s an ‘addiction’ to exercise that those among us who don’t have such a tough time understanding. Once that momentum is achieved, it makes exercising so much easier to do than not. Reviews of the Diet Solution Program (one particular weight-loss system) chime over and over about the benefits of exercise for increasing energy levels.

If you’re having an off day, when working out doesn’t feel possible and eating right is just too much to fathom, force yourself through it. Find the energy. Here’s how:

Don’t worry

Everyone is entitled to a “blah” day now and again. But when you have one, stressing about it will only add to the problem. If you find yourself dragging your feet at one in the afternoon on a Tuesday, do your best to power through it with some positive thinking.

Remember first and foremost that it’s not the end of the world. Take a quick walk, talk to a coworker for a few minutes or send an email to a faraway friend. Just do something to take your mind off feeling tired. Chances are, you won’t think of it again.

If you do, some deep breathing—maybe even a few quick yoga stretches or 5 minute workout—will bring you back to a balanced, peaceful place.

Cut the caffeine and stop “wining”

Which came first, the morning cup of coffee or the evening glass of wine?

Pushing the fogginess out of your way won’t work for everyone. If you’re feeling tired a couple times a day, or a few days out of the week, you’re probably going to need more than your own happy thoughts to bust through the doldrums.

Take a look at your daily routine. Is it book-ended by a latte after your morning jog and a glass of pinot noir once you roll up the yoga mat in the evening?

I’m not telling you to give up coffee and booze entirely, but cutting them out of your everyday diet will amp up your energy by stopping your body’s dependency on the respective liquids to wind things down at night and rev them up in the morning. The less caffeine you ingest, the easier you’ll be able to relax at night. If you relax more quickly, you’ll sleep better and find a lot more shine in your morning rise.

Yawn

Even if you don’t need to, force a yawn. Yawning is your body’s way of direct injecting oxygen into your brain. Think of it as a free, zero-calorie espresso shot for your mind. Deep breathing—in the nose, out through the mouth—for 60 or 90 seconds will also do the trick.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate

If you’re sleepy, take a drink of water. You’re probably under-hydrated.

I can’t tell you how many health-conscious people I know who simply forget to drink water during the day. Dehydration is a huge issue in America. For active Americans, it’s even bigger. The more active you are, the more H2O your diet needs.

Set a reminder on your phone or in your email calendar to beep every ninety minutes. When it goes off, chug an eight ounce glass.

 Finally, remember that your body is constantly changing.

Even if you have a routine you’ve followed for weeks, months or years, once in a while you’re going to need a little extra energy to get through the day.

So don’t sweat it, and don’t quit. Find a way around the quicksand of afternoon sleepiness which doesn’t include carbonated, sugary caffeine drinks or a nap, and you’ll feel infinitely better immediately. Peace of mind is the best energy booster there is!

About the author: Dr. Mike Tremba is an author, speaker, and publisher at www.NaturalWeightLossTruth.com, where he is able to help more people live phenomenal lives of abundance and energy. In his fun time, Dr.Mike and his wife are always on the lookout for new adventures.  Whether it’s scuba diving 150 feet down, or traveling wherever their whims lead, he and Shari are always game for a good time.