Quick ways to rev your energy

The dog days of summer are well behind us, and fall's cool breezes should leave us feeling refreshed. Still, surveys suggest that nearly a-third of us are suffering from fall fatigue. The seasonal slump occurs when reduced daylight, erratic weather and busy schedules impact our energizing hormones, causing both physical and mental tiredness. Here's how to restore your vitality fast with science-backed strategies

- Melissa Gotthardt

Enjoy a bowl of oatmeal

Or go for granola. The whole grains they contain are packed with fiber. That's key, since Dutch researchers found that eating a high-fiber breakfast optimized people's energy levels for 4 hours afterward. And in a British study, those who boosted their morning fiber intake reported feeling significantly less fatigued within a week. Fiber helps keep blood glucose steady, preventing the spikes and dips that can trigger fatigue.

Inhale an arabica aroma