Health

8 Fast Fixes for More Energy

Feeling sluggish? Snap out of it with these quick tricks

by Erica Smith | 3 COMMENTS

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The Zapper: Dehydration The Reason: You may not feel like you're walking through the Sahara, but there's a good chance you're mildly dehydrated right now, and even mild dehydration makes you feel sleepy and sluggish. "Many of us walk around dehydrated without realizing it," King says. "Dehydrated bodies trap toxins and encourage water retention -- a natural defense against the chronic 'drought.'" Remember, your body is about 60 percent water, and there's no way it can function at its optimal level during a drought.

King's simple test for dehydration: Pinch the skin on the back of your hand and hold for three seconds. When you release, if the ridge from the pinch remains for more than a second, you're probably dehydrated.

The Fatigue Fighter: Next time you're feeling drowsy, chug a glass of cold water for an instant fix. Then, take a look at how much water you've been drinking. According to Dr. King, you should aim to drink half your body weight in ounces of water every day. If you weigh 150 pounds, that's 75 ounces of water (about 9 cups). If you want something more pleasing to your palate, snack on watermelon, which is about 91 percent water.

SEE NEXT PAGE: The Zapper: Your Posture

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