Fight fatigue, which can set in when you least expect it. (Photo: Credit: Pamplemousse/Getty Images)

Fight fatigue, which can set in when you least expect it. (Photo: Credit: Pamplemousse/Getty Images)

If you’re in the part of country where the ground is coated with ice and snow and it’s dark by 5 p.m., your energy levels are probably low by midday. Nothing makes you want to climb back under the covers like freezing temperatures.

Even if you’re lucky enough to live in a sunny climate, fatigue can set in when you least expect it and ruin your day.

Try these easy energy boosts to get more fun out of your weekend or glide through your work day.

  1. Keep it even. Sugar may provide a quick boost, but once your blood sugar crashes, your energy levels will sink. Keep blood sugar levels steady with whole grains, greens, lean proteins and other foods that keep blood sugar in check. Bonus: It will also help you keep your weight under control.
  2. Drink up. Water, not coffee, it’s Mother Nature’s original energy drink. One of the first signs of dehydration is fatigue, so sip a few 8-ounce glasses throughout the day.
  3. Walk it off. A 10-minute stroll can boost your energy levels for about two hours, so get outside a take a walk around the block.
  4.  Fill up on vitamin D. Raise your D levels by sitting in the sun, enjoying grilled salmon or a cool glass of milk. Your body uses vitamin D to replenish its energy stores.
  5. Power down to power up. Set your alarm for 30 minutes or less and take a short nap. A brief snooze will increase cognitive skills and make you more alert.
  6. Find your soundtrack. You already know how music gets you revved up for a workout. Well, it can do the same thing when you are feeling fatigued. Stick with tunes that raise your spirit or move your feet. Since it’s the weekend, take a little time to create your own, portable, personal playlist for an anytime, anywhere boost!

About Fierce Fridays — Tips for Weekend Well-Being

We each cherish those precious days off at the end of the week, but increasingly those of us who are charter members of the sisterhood of the stressed and overworked are losing our Saturday and Sunday leisure time to weekend work and domestic duties.

To make sure that you do something every weekend that’s just for you, we’ll be sharing a little advice to make those 48 hours a great time to recharge your batteries, bring a little good news into your life, or discover a quick and easy way to improve your health.