Feeling Tired?

From MSN:

It’s easy to get run down this time of year, but, your low energy could be due to something other than marathon shopping. Here are some common causes - and the cures - for your fatigue:

• You're bored. Dr. Judith Sills, a clinical psychologist and the author of The Comfort Trap, says that new experiences stimulate your brain and boost energy levels. You don’t have to do anything monumental, either. Something as simple as trying a new food on your lunch break, or seeing a foreign film will do the trick.
  
  
• Too much caffeine. It seems like a contradiction, but caffeine can actually make you tired. Registered dietician Cheryl Forberg says people can create a vicious cycle when they keep ingesting more caffeine to counteract the exhaustion they feel. The cumulative effects of the day's caffeine, like an increased heart rate and a rise in blood pressure, can then keep you from getting a good night's sleep.
  
  
• This next behavior causes a lot of afternoon slumps: Multi-tasking. Neal Roese, a professor of psychology at The University of Illinois, says multi-tasking is a big drain on glucose, which is your brain’s main source of fuel. That means your brain can literally run out of gas. He suggests keeping the number of things you do at one time to a minimum.
  
  
• Poor posture. According to exercise physiologist Kathleen Koch, standing up straight doesn’t just make you look better - it makes you feel better! That’s because when you slouch, your heart and lungs have to work harder to get blood to your muscles. So take you thumbs, put them under your armpits, and pull up gently. That’s about where you should be holding your posture.

If making these changes doesn’t put a spring in your step, it’s time to visit the doctor. Chronic fatigue could be caused by medical conditions like diabetes, anemia, or an under active thyroid.