Being You: Tips for girls (:

How to stop feeling tired during the day

1. Exercise. 

If you're feeling sleepy, some brief exercise can help wake you up. Physical activity increases blood flow to all parts of the body, resulting in you feeling more energized overall. Studies show that you are more productive after exercise.

If you have time to hit the gym mid-afternoon, do so. You may have to slow down on your regular workout routine due to energy deprivation, but any amount of physical activity can help you recharge for the remainder of the day.If you're stuck at work, try taking a short walk during your lunch break or doing some light stretches at your cubicle.Strive to get at least 30 minutes of exercise in mid-afternoon for the best results and the most energy.

2. Try caffeine. 

A cup of coffee in the morning or mid-afternoon is a go-to for many for a reasons. Caffeine is a powerful stimulant that can wake you up and help you stay alert throughout the day.

People have a substance called adenosine in their brains that binds to nerve receptors, which slows down nerve cells and causes drowsiness. The brain mistakes caffeine for adenosine and receptors bind to it instead. Instead of slowing down nerve cells, caffeine speeds up nerve cells resulting in your feeling energized.Timing is important when it comes to caffeine consumption. It takes about 20 or 30 minutes for caffeine to start working, so aim to have a cup of coffee right before your afternoon meeting.Doctors recommend you only consume 400 milligrams of caffeine a day, and an eight ounce cup of coffee has about 100. Keep this in mind as you consume caffeine so you don't go overboard.3. 

3. Eat energy rich foods during lunch. 

If you're feeling fatigued, it's best to skip a heavy lunch and instead eat a small meal packed with energy-rich foods.

Sleep deprivation can affect ghrelin and leptin, which are the hormones responsible for controlling hunger. This means when you're tired, you may have an increased appetite and crave high-calorie, high-carb foods. However, the way refined carbohydrates like white breads and white pastas work cause a sudden spike and then drop in blood sugar, leaving you feeling sleepy shortly after eating.Instead, stick to healthy, whole grain carbohydrates and fruits and vegetables. For lunch, try a small salad with nuts and a small piece of whole grain bread. You could also try something with lean protein, like fish, along with some greens and fruit.4. Practice mini meditation.

Engaging in brief periods of meditation can help you re-energize during the day by momentarily relaxing your mind and body.

Try to aim for five minutes of meditation towards the middle of the day, when you're most likely to have a dip in energy.Lie on the floor with your arms on the floor and your legs on a wall. Move from focusing your mind on one part of the body to another, relaxing as you go.If it's hard to lie down, you can simply stay in your chair and pull your calves and feet up to the seat. Raising your legs can alter blood flow and help energize your body.