How do you avoid procrastination when you’re drained, burned out, exhausted?

It’s difficult. Not impossible.

Everyone experiences moments when we feel sluggish or perhaps hyperactive. Sometimes our brains feel like they are stuck in mud while other times we can solve almost any problem we confront. Even if you have enough study pressure, like an impending deadline or tests, interestingly you can get things done even when you have zilch Energy. If you think that fuelling up on coffee and chocolate bars will help you boost your mental energy, well, it may not be enough.

Let’s uncover the 10 simple, (very) effective and healthy, mental energy-boosting tips.

1. Get sleep

This is obvious, but most people don’t get enough sleep, so it had to be said. If you’re tired all the time, it’s possible that you need more sleep. Snooze for at least 7-8 hours. Longer than 9 hours and you might actually feel more tired. Head to bed a half-hour earlier for the next few nights, then add another half-hour for a few nights. Continue adding to your sleep until you can wake up without an alarm, feeling refreshed.

2. Exercising daily

When you’re too tired to even think straight, exercising is probably the last thing you want to do, but you have to spend energy to get energy. The good news is that any activity that gets your heart pumping for more than 10 minutes will increase oxygen to your system and give you more get-up-and-go.

3. Staying hydrated

Lack of fluids is a major cause of fatigue. You need at least eight cups (two liters) of fluids per day to stay properly hydrated. Besides drinking water, you can get hydrating fluids from watery foods such as fruit and vegetables and from milk, juice and other non-caffeinated, non-alcoholic beverages.

4. Meditate

Much of our daily life is spent in our heads, focused on what we’re thinking rather than on what we’re feeling. To meditate is to become acutely aware of what’s going on within you; it’s about learning to tame your mind so that you can focus all your energy and awareness on the task at hand. Even 5 minutes of meditation is great for finding mindfulness and focus.

5. Talking with someone

Making conversations with your batch mates or friends can give your mind a break that it needs. Get up and find someone to talk to. It often helps you to get your mind off your work, or get some perspective, or new ideas that will energize you.

6. Making stress work for you

Stress has a bad reputation, but a certain amount of positive stress is good. The trick is to stretch ourselves a little beyond our comfort zone to find something that’s stimulating – but not too anxiety-producing. Successful students turn stress into positive energy and motivation rather than letting it consume them.

7. The right nutritional balance

As a full-time student your eating patterns can be erratic. Without the right foods to give your brain the fuel it needs, you can’t possibly expect to keep your mental energy in high gear. It’s important to eat at regular intervals throughout the day to keep your mental energy from taking a nosedive. Aim for small meals and snacks every 3-4 hours.

8. Cut the caffeine

Resist the urge to grab a coffee when you need a jolt. Caffeine stimulates adrenalin release and blocks a relaxing brain chemical called adenosine. The net result is that it wakes up your body and produces a stress reaction; once the initial jolt wears off you’re left feeling even more tired than before. Though it’s hard, try switching to green tea which has a bit of caffeine but not too much.

9. Keeping iron levels in check

Iron is a crucial nutrient that boosts energy, combats fatigue, and enhances physical and mental endurance. Iron is responsible for transporting oxygen through people’s bodies, and without sufficient oxygen, your body will become fatigued. Focus on making iron-rich foods a part of every meal.

10. Eating more often

Most of us know what foods we should be eating, but it’s also important to know how to eat – that is, how to spread out healthy foods over the course of the day. Eating five or six small meals throughout the day ensures that your blood-sugar levels remain steady. You will begin feel much better once you start eating healthy between-meal snacks.

Developing mental strength is an ongoing process and there is always room for improvement. By making a conscious effort to follow the above pointers you will not only boost your energy but make your day more fruitful.