Most of us are dynamos by demand -- working, cooking, taking care of home and family day in, day out. But even the Energizer Bunny needs to keep his batteries charged. Small changes in what you eat, drink -- and think -- can help pick you up and keep you chugging along.

Tank up on fruit for a quick boost. Fruits such as apples and oranges are loaded with vitamins, minerals, fluid, and fiber, offering great energy with more sustenance and fewer calories than sugary sweets. It's true, any carbohydrate -- those in fruits as well as sweets -- turn into glucose, your body's primary energy source. But unlike sweets, fruit has the substance to see you through the long haul.

Sip plenty of H20. Water can be powerful enough to give you an instant kick-start. Why? Dehydration is often the culprit in fatigue and lethargy, according to Miriam Nelson, Ph.D., author of Strong Women Stay Slim (Bantam Books, 1999).

Get moving. A few stretches or a walk around the block will invigorate your muscles and get your blood flowing pronto. The long-term benefits of exercise are even more energizing. One study found that active people reported feeling tired during the day about half as often as sedentary people.

Breathe healthier. Close your eyes, and try breathing slow and low into your abdomen for a few minutes. When you inhale, your belly should push out; when you exhale, it should pull in. Exhale fully, and focus your attention on the air being expelled. Too much shallow breathing, a common problem, can hinder endurance and make you feel as if you're in high-stress (read: exhaustion) mode.

Relax to rejuvenate. Try "child's pose," a popular yoga move. Start on your hands and knees. Sit back with your buttocks toward your heels, and stretch forward with your arms extending above your head and your forehead on the ground. Close your eyes, and breathe deeply for a few minutes.

Take a catnap. A five- to 20-minute snooze can alleviate the strain when you've had a sleepless night.

Laugh a lot. Horde the funny pages, keep an amusing thought tucked away in the back of your mind for energy emergencies, or seek out the office jokester for a good knee-slapper. Laughter is stimulating because it releases endorphins. It also fights boredom, an insidious energy-sapper.