Maybe your kids are on a sleep strike, or maybe you’re just burning the candle at both ends, but no matter what is causing your exhaustion, all you know is you feel freaking tired. The obvious answer would be to get more sleep, but that’s easier said than done, isn’t it? If you think your lack of sleep or feeling of tiredness could be due to something medical, definitely talk to your doctor to make sure there are no underlying issues going on. But if you’re feeling burned out, lacking in energy, and all the coffee in the world won’t make a dent in your exhaustion, there are a few things you can try.

1. Troubleshoot your sleep hygiene

Bad sleep hygiene is a common culprit of feeling tired all the time. Following good sleep hygiene can improve the quality and quantity of sleep you get each night. It also plays a significant role in your physical and mental health. Read our tips on how to improve your sleep hygiene here.

2. Increase your iron

Women are more prone to iron deficiency than men, due to losing it during periods and needing more when breastfeeding and during pregnancy. A shortage of iron means your red blood cells struggle to carry oxygen, which leaves you always feeling tired and breathless. Load up on dark leafy greens, asparagus, Greek beans and raspberries, all of which are rich in iron. Or start taking a supplement, like these.

3. Start your morning with water, not coffee

Before I even reach for the coffee, I drink 20 ounces of room temperature water to kickstart my day. 6-8 hours is a long period to go without any water consumption. Drinking a glass or two of water right when you wake up, however, is a good way to quickly rehydrate your body. One of the biggest indicators of lethargy or low energy is that you are dehydrated. Jumpstarting your day with a couple glasses of water will only benefit your body and mind. This goes for the rest of the day, too. A lot of us reach for caffeine in the afternoon when we start feeling sluggish, but really our body is often craving more water. So instead of that afternoon latte or Diet Coke, chug a bottle of water!

4. Get in a quick walk

Like, 10-minutes quick. I know, when you’re tired, the last thing you want to do is increase the amount of energy you’re exerting, but a quick daily walk can do wonders. Especially if you can get outdoors for a bit, that fresh air moving through your lungs is an instant energy-booster. A quick stroll can have more positive effects on your energy levels than a big cold brew.

5. Work on a creative project

Sometimes, tiredness manifests from…boredom. If you’ve been staring at a screen all day long doing busy work, it’s no wonder you feel zapped of energy. Whether on a lunch break or after work, step away from the computer and work on something that ignites your creative energy. Too often we go from staring at a medium-size screen to staring at a larger screen or scrolling the small one in our hands. While it may not be physically exerting, it will suck the energy from you very quickly if you don’t take breaks. Make time for creative projects when you’re feeling sluggish to help reinvigorate yourself.

6. Write 👏🏼 it 👏🏼 all 👏🏼 down

If I were to peek into your brain right now, I’d likely see a miles-long list of appointments, schedule changes and other things you definitely cannot forget about—and that’s a recipe for crushing fatigue. We expend a lot of energy trying to mentally keep track of everything we need to do, so organizing yourself better by writing down all of those things helps resolve these distracting loose ends can free up tons of brain power and give back some energy.

7. Slow down your morning

Mornings are often one of the busiest, most stressful times of the day, but a simple soothing routine can help by putting you in a state of calm that helps prevent burnout later on. When you’re not spiking cortisol levels in the morning, it leaves you with more energy throughout the whole day. Here are some of our favorite ways to have a better morning routine.

8. Be inclined to incline

Lie on your back and use pillows to prop up your feet so they’re higher than your head or, better yet, lie on an adjustable exercise bench or other surface that slants. In India, yogis do this to encourage blood flow to the brain, which is thought to fight fatigue and boost alertness. It’s a quick way to help get that much-needed burst of energy.