‘Tis the season to fight fatigue. Here are natural ways to give yourself a boost of energy each day.

If tiredness, dizziness, muscle weakness, moodiness, and impaired decision-making affect you regularly, it’s likely due to fatigue. There are many culprits that contribute to feelings of sleepiness and slowed reflexes. Among the most obvious is stress. Another is caffeine which gives you a jolt of energy but makes it hard to sustain the same level of alertness long-term.

Here are five ways to fight fatigue this season:

Put yourself on a sleep schedule.

When you have a busy schedule to adhere to, sleep often goes by the wayside. Rather than stay up later or worry yourself silly about things that are out of your control, why not make it a point to prepare for bed at least 30 minutes before retiring for the evening? Turn off your phone, make yourself a cup of chamomile tea, and do a little inspirational reading before bed. Stick to the same sleep schedule nightly for best results.

Limit the amount of carbonated soft drinks, tea, and coffee you drink daily.

Caffeine is a stimulant that can help you feel more alert but contributes to your mid-afternoon crash. Instead of drinking sodas, teas, and coffees, try water with a squeeze of fresh lemon in it. Not only is the beverage alkalizing, it also helps rehydrate your body after doing activities that deplete it of its natural reserves of water.

Use scents to wake up your senses and increase alertness naturally.

An Aromatherapy Inhalation Patch in the scent of Spearmint helps you wake up and feel energized. Wear one underneath your shirt before you set out to school or work. You’ll get up to eight hours of relief by doing so. Patches are discreet, portable, and easy-to-apply, too, making them something you can carry with you and use as needed.

Eat a diet that contains an adequate amount of quality proteins.

Many people are under the misconception that more protein equals better health. It’s not quantity that you should concern yourself with. It’s quality! Learn which sources of protein are the best for your body, and make it a point to include them in the meals that you make going forward.

Spend time outdoors in the cool air.

A blast of cold wakes you up fast. If you live in a state that experiences four seasons, make it a point to go outside on one of the cooler days. Take a brisk walk around the block and take in the cool air. It will clear your mind and make you feel more alert.

Energize yourself naturally without the use of stimulants such as caffeine. You don’t need to guzzle down a pot of coffee to feel more alert. In fact, the suggestions listed above have a better effect on your body, mind, and soul. You’ll find that engaging in these practices provides you with a virtual toolbox of self-care exercises to customize and utilize at your earliest convenience.