No matter how exciting or engaging your projects at work may be, it’s still hard to avoid a tired feeling early in the morning or right after lunch. Reynolds and Reynolds promotes a lively work enviornment, but most employees still need a pick-me-up on occasion. Here are a few tricks to help any employee perk up during a lull:

1) Eat Healthy Snacks

Healthy foods have natural sugars in them that give you the “up” with less of a “down.” Apples, trail mix, and popcorn are a few recommended snacks for boosting your energy.

2) Drink Coffee

Typically the number one go-to in the office, coffee can be helpful when used in moderation. Forbes believes the best time to drink a cup of Joe is between 9:30 and 11:30 in the morning, as well as 1:30 and 5 in the afternoon. Drink it only when you need it, as your body can build a tolerance.

3) Listen to Music

Listening to music can be a great way to stay awake and focused. Have a playlist of work songs ready to prevent you from looking at your phone or music player while working on a project. If you work in an open office, also invest in a good pair of headphones to avoid disturbing your coworkers.

4) Have Something to Look Forward to

One of the easiest ways to stay awake is to have something motivating you to keep pushing forward. Eating the leftovers you have in your fridge when you get home, watching a movie, or planning to go out after work are a few ideas for a pick-me-up to focus on.

If you find yourself tired more often than not, try setting aside more time to sleep at night. There are only a few hours in the workday, so do your best to keep yourself awake for whatever challenges may lie ahead!