You need energy to live, breathe, walk, sleep- just to exist. Sometimes it seems that no matter what we do, we still end up feeling tired and sluggish.

Here are some strategies to give you an energy boost:

• Get enough sleep: Most people need 7-8 hours a night to repair and rebuild after a long day's activities.
• Drink plenty of water: Dehydration can make us tired, irritable and can cause headaches. Drinking water is one of the easiest ways to keep your energy up.
• Get in motion: Exercise helps blood to circulate, relieves stress and improves your mood. Try to include endurance and flexibility activities most days of the week and strength training activities 2-4 times per week.
• Don't skip meals: Eat regularly to maintain energy levels throughout the day. Keep your desk or car stocked with healthy snacks for busy days- trail mix, cheese and crackers, fruit, yogurt drinks, ½ bagel with peanut butter are all good choices.
• Don't rely on caffeine: It's tempting to reach for a cup of coffee when you're tired, but beware of the effects of caffeine on your body. Although the caffeine will give you a quick boost of energy, once that initial surge is gone, you'll be left feeling even more tired than before.
• Don’t smoke: There are many reasons why smokers typically have less energy than non-smokers do. For example, the body needs to combine glucose and oxygen to make energy but the carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke reduces the amount of oxygen available to the body. The result? You are fatigued.
• Consider your lifestyle: Studies suggest that 50-80% of fatigue cases are mainly due to psychological factors. It may be helpful to seek professional counseling to work out family, career or professional issues that may be weighing you down.
• Have more fun: Laughter is one of the best energy boosters around!