Solve Your Personal Energy Crisis

Simply washing with lavender-scented soap packs a powerful, energizing punch. Scientists from the University of Miami say the herb's invigorating aroma increases the production of alertness-inducing beta waves in the brain, leaving you primed for action!

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Bypass the sugary breakfast treats, and opt instead for a mix of protein, complex carbs and healthy fat — like a scrambled egg on a whole-grain English muffin with a slice of low-fat cheese. "The carbohydrates will give you a quick energy jolt, while slow-digesting protein and fat help you sustain the momentum for at least three hours," explains Sarah Krieger, a registered dietitian in St. Petersburg, Fla.

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Taking a daily B-complex supplement is like putting premium fuel in your tank, says Anderson. B vitamins directly feed the adrenal glands, your body's energy-production control center. "When you're low in Bs, gland function slows, and so do you," he notes. Look for formulas that contain 100 milligrams of B1, B2, B3, B5 and B6.

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Knee-deep in paperwork and craving a double espresso? Skip it, and have a cup of herbal tea containing ginseng or ginkgo biloba, suggests Jennifer Workman, author of Stop Your Cravings: A Balanced Approach to Burning Fat, Increasing Energy and Reducing Stress. The herbs naturally minimize the negative effects of stress hormones and fortify those all-important adrenals, leaving you with more energy to cope. Look for teas whose labels tout their stress-relieving benefits, advises Workman.

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After lunch, sit quietly for five minutes, close your eyes and take three deep breaths. "When you perceive a physical or mental threat, the brain stimulates adrenaline production — essentially trying to help you get out of harm's way," Tyne explains. Once you're in adrenaline overdrive, "higher brain activity," like thinking creatively, ceases to be a priority. By sending a signal that the danger has passed, deep breathing essentially puts a cork in your body's energy drain, allowing you to become productive again.

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If you're sitting at a desk all day, it's no surprise you're feeling sluggish by now. "When we're sedentary for long periods, our muscles don't have to do much, meaning we don't have to breathe deeply — so our brain gets sleepy and starts to think we're ready for bed," explains Anderson. To stay alert, he says, build some movement into every hour, even if it's just as subtle as getting up to look out the window.

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Feeling draggy and a little hungry? Keep this in mind: A quarter cup of mixed nuts + six ounces of nonfat yogurt = the perfect snack to sustain your energy until dinner. Low in sugar but high in protein and healthy fat, this combo digests slowly, giving you a slight energy surge without knocking your blood sugar out of whack, says Krieger.

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If you're sliding into another slump, savor a juicy orange, wash your hands with lemon soap or smooth on a little grapefruit-scented lotion. According to Alan Hirsch, M.D., director of the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago, citrus scents activate the part of your brain that stimulates alertness.

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Getting enough sleep tonight will set you up for a high-energy day tomorrow. "Sleep allows your muscles, cells and organs to regenerate after a long day's work — but it's also your brain's natural reset button," explains Anderson, who advocates shooting for at least seven hours

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