5 Things You Didn’t Know Were Making You So Tired

Two words: mental exhaustion. According to psychology professor Sabine Kastner of Princeton University, the more objects you have in your visual field (read: a ton of stuff on your desk), the harder it is for your brain to filter them out and focus. The result? Your brain will end up tired.

Eating at consistent intervals every day (and not putting off lunch to meet a deadline or skipping afternoon snacks) sustains your energy levels and helps you get through the day feeling less tired. Drinking V8 Original is an easy first step to make that happen: It has one full serving of veggies, antioxidant vitamins A and C, and as much potassium as a small banana. The best part is it comes in 5.5-ounce cans that are easy to take with you anywhere. Pair it with a low-cal snack for the ultimate satisfying graze between meals.

Whether you’re a weight-lifting kind of gal or a yogi, skipping the gym because you think you need an extra hour of shut-eye can actually backfire. Research by the University of Georgia in Athens discovered that working out moderately hard for 20 minutes helps boost energy (compared with sitting quietly), while an earlier study found that sedentary individuals felt energized after completing a regular exercise program. That’s double proof.

Yikes, turns out an iron deficiency can make you feel sluggish, irritable, weak and unable to focus, according to the Mayo Clinic. Iron is vital to oxygen transportation to your muscles and cells. Boost your intake by chowing down on dark leafy greens, whole eggs, tofu, kidney beans, lean beef and nuts—and pair them with foods high in vitamin C, which improves iron absorption.

This might sound odd, but if you’re feeling sleep deprived, you might actually want to try sleeping less. According to Harvard Health, it’s quality of sleep—not necessarily quantity—that matters. Sleeping too many hours in a night can prolong the amount of time it takes you to fall asleep and compromise restfulness.