Tired of being tired? Jessica Postigo was. After switching careers, going from on-the-go film producer to the more-sedentary role of screenwriter, the 36-year-old from Los Angeles began to feel lethargic. “I knew I needed to do something,” she says. “I wanted my energy back.”

That kind of funk probably sounds familiar, whether you’re moving in slow-mo or frazzled from juggling work, family, and friends. And, with the energy-sapping holidays ahead, your fatigue-and-crankiness quotient is bound to go up.

Yes, it’s true: Feeling tired not only robs you of productivity and pleasure, it also can make you a real … well, let’s just say the word rhymes with witch. And it’s no wonder women seem more likely than men to crash and get cranky: studies show that they sleep less, stress more, and do more multitasking than men (surprise, surprise).

Want to fight the funk and fatigue? We’ve gathered some twists on those tried-and-true ways to put pep back in your step (like exercising, eating right, and stressing less) along with some tips that might surprise you (like taking a shower or bath before bedtime for a deeper, healthier sleep). So arm yourself for the holidays and beyond with these simple strategies for instant energy. In no time flat, you’ll be catching your second wind—and then some.

 
By Judith Zimmer