To Feel Refreshed, Try Some Pressure

Your switch can't always be turned to "On." But when it isn't, and needs to be, try a little top-to-bottom pressure.

Stimulating certain acupressure points on your body -- starting with the top of your head and moving down to the soles of your feet -- is a quick and coffee-free way to jazz yourself up.

This acupressure sequence recently proved very effective in a study. (Learn more about what acupressure is and how it works with these RealAge Smart Search results.) Here's how to do the wake-up rubs:

• Lightly tap the top of your head several times.
• Rub the spot on the back of your head where your skull meets your neck.
• Use a thumb to massage the back of your other hand; rub the fleshy spot where the thumb joins the hand.
• Massage the front of your legs, just below the knee.
• Rub the soles of your feet, just below the ball.

Rub these points clockwise and then counterclockwise for 3 minutes. After that -- presto! -- you're awake. (Now, does acupuncture work? Find out what the research says.)

More Ways to Rev Your Engine

• It's pretty basic, but get your ZZZs. Sleep loss is a major energy drain. Try these three tips for getting 6 to 8 hours a night.
• Brighten up. Here's how bright lights will make you more awake and alert.
• Grab yourself a cuppa -- tea, that is. Why? For this key mind-grabbing ingredient.

Find out what's causing you to drag: Take the quiz in this article.

Using acupressure to modify alertness in the classroom: a single-blinded, randomized, cross-over trial. Harris, R. E., Jeter, J., Chan, P., Higgins, P., Kong, F. M., Fazel, R., Bramson, C., Gillespie, B., Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 2005 Aug;11(4):673-679.