Feeling run down all the time is no way to live. So if you can’t boost your energy by adjusting your diet, exercise and sleep habits, then try one of these tricks we read about in Rodale publishing.

• Play some upbeat music. A new British study confirms that music can reduce anxiety and give you an instant jolt of energy. In fact, volunteers were able to keep a dumbbell lifted an average of 10% longer if they listened to music, compared to people who listened to nothing at all. So any time you feel yourself running out of steam, crank up your favorite song. You’ll catch your second wind in no time.
• Think positive. How many times have you walked away from a stressful conversation and thought: “Why couldn’t I have thought of something clever to say?” Or “Why did I say all those stupid things?” Those negative thoughts can drain your confidence, and add more energy-draining stress to your life. However, experts say positive thoughts are like premium gas: They’re high-quality fuel that’ll keep your body and mind charging forward instead of spinning in place. So, try to put a positive spin on any negative thought that creeps into your mind. For example, after an ugly break-up you might think: “That guy really broke my heart. But now I’m so much wiser and stronger for having met him. Next!”
• Use your imagination. A study published in the Journal of Neurophysiology found that imagining an activity fires up the same parts of your brain that work when you’re actually doing that activity. In fact, when researchers asked a group of volunteers to imagine doing a finger-strengthening exercise for one month, people actually improved their strength by 22% – literally without lifting a finger! That may explain why Olympic athletes who visualize themselves winning the Gold win more medals! So the next time you feel an afternoon slump coming on, imagine yourself swimming like Michael Phelps. You’ll feel a surge of adrenaline that’ll carry you straight to the finish line.