Fighting Fatigue

When your brain says "go" but your body says "too tired," you're having an energy crisis. How to solve it? What you need, says Dr. Erika Schwartz, is a quick boost for the brain.

Schwartz, co-author of Natural Energy: From Tired to Terrific in 10 Days (Vermilion, 2000), suggests a "simulated injection of fresh air. That involves inhaling some essential oil of peppermint or chewing on strong sweets, "breathing deeply so that strong flavor will shock your brain into action."

Fatigue can also play havoc with your moods, sending you into a slump and self-defeating thoughts. Shwartz advises taking time out to listen to music with an upbeat tempo that will lift the spirits, or, "If you feel unhappy, play something that holds fond memories."

The best way of dealing with fatigue is to prevent it in the first place, says Schwartz. "Running or aerobics are a marvelous way to release pent-up stress." You may also try chewing gum, a less athletic way to conquer the problem, "but psychologists have shown in research that this dispels pent-up nervous energy and muscle tension."