Occasionally you may feel sluggish or fatigued. There are some steps you can take to increase your energy. The first step to fighting fatigue is getting a good night’s sleep. You should get at least seven hours of sleep each night. It is difficult to be energized with minimal sleep. Getting your rest is the foundation for having energy.

The next step is to eat for energy. You want to eat foods that are low on the glycemic index. The glycemic index is a system that ranks food on a scale from 1 to 100 based on their effect on blood-sugar levels. Fruits, legumes, grains and vegetables are foods that are low on the glycemic index. You can research to find specific foods. You want to reduce your sugar intake. Sugar will give you a short-term energy boost that wears off and makes you sluggish.

Drink plenty of water. There is research that shows being dehydrated can make you feel fatigued even if you are rested. Caffeine helps increase energy. Be careful not to consume it late in the day because it can cause insomnia. Read labels to make sure the products you are consuming late in the day do not contain a lot of caffeine.

Exercise boosts energy. Exercising produces hormones that give you energy and can also help you sleep better. You do not have to exercise a lot. Thirty minutes of walking briskly five days a week can do wonders.

Do your best to control stress. Being under a lot of stress can drain your energy. Participate in stress reducing activities to help you overcome the impact of stress.

If you are experiencing chronic fatigue, you should discuss it with your doctor. There may be an underlying health condition causing fatigue.