We all have our fair share of off-days. Every now and then, we may feel tired and groggy as a result of stress. But if you constantly experience bouts of lethargy and drowsiness, you may have what’s known as mental fatigue, the result of brain over-activity.

While there is no quick fix for mental fatigue, there are simple ways to fight it and get your mind back on track. By taking these health-enhancing steps, you can once again live a vibrant and energetic life.

1. Make sleep a priority
Sleep deprivation has been linked to all sorts of mental health problems. If you don’t get enough shuteye for several days, you could become more susceptible not just to mental fatigue, but also to more serious cognitive problems with long-term consequences. Check out this blog post to find out how to maintain a healthy sleep-wake cycle.

2. Exercise and meditate often
Regular exercise and meditation can do wonders for your health and wellbeing. Exercising may be the last thing on your mind when you’re tired, but strength training and high-intensity interval training can actually improve your vigor and energy in the long run. Meditation, on the other hand, will ward off stress and enable you to experience optimum relaxation.

If you’ve been sedentary for the longest time, check out these tips for easing your way into exercise. And if you have yet to try meditation for the first time, this simple guide will tell you everything you need to know.

3. Drink more water
There’s no question that water plays an enormous role in our overall health and wellbeing. Those who consume less than the amount of water their body needs tend to be more susceptible to both mental and physical tiredness. If you want to keep chronic fatigue at bay, be sure to make a habit of keeping yourself properly hydrated.

4. Stick to a healthy diet
Eating copious amounts of unhealthy, heavily processed foods can cause irregularities in the body and open the door for mental fatigue. To make sure your meals and snacks never fall short in the nutrition department, always make room for nutritious, organic, whole foods every day. Be sure to check out my tips on adding more superfoods to your diet.

5. Get rid of unhealthy habits
Do you always smoke tobacco or drink alcohol to the point of inebriation whenever you want to let off some steam and relax? These harmful habits might help you unwind in the short-term, but they can actually contribute to mental fatigue as well as other serious conditions in the long run. It’s always best to respond to stress in a healthy way.

It’s worth noting that fatigue is a common symptom of illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, anemia, sleep apnea and arthritis. If you still experience it for weeks after you’ve made improvements to your lifestyle, don’t think twice about consulting a professional.