Tired all the time? You may have thought it was the so-called “spring fever,” but the real culprit may be the little habits you have fallen into. Instead of spooning stamina food or gulping gallons of coffee to get your mojo back, have a good look at all the big and small factors in your everyday life that may be sapping your energy.

Are you a workaholic?

If you stick to the notion that you must be productive 24 hours a day, seven days a week, you might just be worn out. Repetitive tasks tire the body. Take short breaks. Give your brain some quality time, whether it’s chatting with friends or buying a CD by your favorite singer.

Are you frozen in place?

Sitting in the same position for several hours makes your body go into sleep mode. Watching TV or computer screens dries up your eyes as you blink less than normally. Stand up and stretch every 30 minutes, and every now and again open the window and look at something in the distance.

Are you getting enough sun?

Body and mind will feel tired when you don’t get enough sun. This is why depression, hostility and nervousness increase in the winter, the so-called seasonal affective disorder. Go for a walk outside for just 10 minutes. It will wake you up like a dose of caffeine. Even getting some sunlight through the window pane for just a moment will have an effect.

Is your breathing shallow?

Taking shallow breaths, which we normally do, cannot supply all the oxygen your body needs. Less oxygen and consequently more CO2 in your blood make you feel tired. Do some abdominal breathing exercises a few times a day. When you do this before you start on a stressful task, you will feel your brain wake up.

Are you getting a good night’s sleep?

Your body has a tendency to maintain consistent routines. If you go to bed late at night and wake up late in the morning at the weekend, it creates a time lag and makes you feel woozy throughout Monday. It’s better to go to bed and wake up at consistent times and continue even at the weekend. If you need to catch up on sleep, go to bed earlier.

Do you drink enough water?

By the time you feel thirsty, your body has already lost 2-3 percent of its liquids. When that happens, blood supply to the brain declines and the heart has a harder job, and that makes your body feel tired. Drink water as often as possible. Drink at least nine cups of water, or 12 if you are very active. Lemon juice and herbal tea are also good.

Are the lights too bright at night?

When you turn on bright lights at night, it reduces the production of the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin, which makes it hard for you to go to sleep and wake up when you want. Turn off the bright lights several hours before you go to sleep. Instead, turn your lamps to the ceiling to give a more indirect, dimmer glow.

Do you have a good breakfast?

Vitamins cannot be your sole source of energy. It’s better to eat fruit than nothing, but if you start your day with low-calorie food, it will reduce your metabolism and make you feel tired the whole day. Avoid eating too much at night and have protein and carbohydrates in the morning. Milk and cereal are fine, or toast and fried eggs. Don’t worry: your body will burn the calories you take in the morning.

Is your posture bad?

Bad posture makes you feel tired. When one of your vertebrae is in the wrong position, it makes your back and even your pelvis feel tension. Check your posture several times while you work. Are you lowering your head too much? You should be able to see your feet when you stand up, straightening your back and tightening your abdominal muscles.

Is your environment too noisy?

Noise increases your pulse and blood pressure. It also generates adrenalin, even more so when you need to concentrate. Don’t put up with it. Either remove the source of the noise or use earplugs or other devices that shut out the din.