Drugs that may increase mental energy include caffeine , modafinil , psychostimulants like amphetamines and methylphenidate , and corticosteroids like hydrocortisone and dexamethasone. Drugs that may decrease mental energy include sedatives and hypnotics like antihistamines , benzodiazepines , and melatonin , as well as dopamine receptor antagonists like antipsychotics.

There are many marketing claims of foods, beverages , and dietary supplements improving mental energy, but data to substantiate such claims are limited or absent. Sleep deprivation may decrease mental energy in an exposure-dependent manner. Contents move to sidebar hide. Article Talk.

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Not having to think about your schedule frees up a lot of mental energy to focus on the important stuff. Deep sleep is one of the fundamental ways to make your brain stronger.

Your brain replenishes neurotransmitters and clears out cellular waste during the deeper stages of sleep, leaving you clear-headed when you wake up.

The single most effective way to improve your sleep is to black out your room. Light degrades melatonin, one of the hormones that makes you sleepy and triggers cellular repair while you sleep.

Check out this guide to sleep hacking for more ways to increase deep sleep. Most of the hacks are free and you can start them tonight. A high-fat, low-carb diet keeps your blood sugar stable and low so you have steady energy throughout the day.

Make sure you get plenty of polyphenols as well. Polyphenols are powerful anti-inflammatory compounds that you find in coffee, tea, chocolate, and colorful vegetables and fruits.

Polyphenols improve memory and decrease brain inflammation. Check out the complete one-page Bulletproof Diet Roadmap for a complete guide to brain-building foods you should eat and energy-sapping foods you should avoid for improved focus and brain power.

Pushing yourself physically makes you mentally fit, too: it creates brand new neural mitochondria and makes your existing mitochondria more efficient at producing energy.

Stress burns up a huge amount of energy. It also physically changes parts of your brain that regulate attention and focus. Two great options for managing stress are:. Nootropics also called smart drugs are compounds that improve cognitive function.

You can use nootropics to enhance everything from memory to sustained attention to faster mental turnover. Brain Octane Oil is a great introductory nootropic; it rapidly converts to ketones that your brain can use for fuel.

Unfair Advantage is another good option. It supports your brain mitochondria and promotes the growth of new ones for improved mental energy. For a more complete list of nootropics, including benefits, side effects, sources, and dosages, check out the Bulletproof guide to nootropics. And for a comprehensive look at brain hacks that enhance cognitive function and help you build a stronger brain, pick up a copy of Head Strong.

In a world increasingly fascinated with brain health, the emergence of brain training devices has sparked a new wave of interest in cognitive enhancement. Science and technology. A consistent lack of mental energy can sometimes suggest an underlying mental health concern, like depression.

Professional support can make it easier to identify potential reasons for low mental energy and begin exploring solutions. Crystal Raypole writes for Healthline and Psych Central. Her fields of interest include Japanese translation, cooking, natural sciences, sex positivity, and mental health, along with books, books, and more books.

She lives in Washington with her son and a lovably recalcitrant cat. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Ever felt like your mind could use a deep cleaning? Try these 8 strategies to refresh your brain. What you eat can have a major effect on your energy levels. These 7 foods can all drain your energy. Ways to improve concentration, include brain games, meditation, music, and more.

If you're finding it hard to focus and these tips don't help…. If you're going to procrastinate, you might as well read this. Feeling tired may just be a symptom of our modern lives. But feeling tired all the time, a condition called fatigue, could be a sign of something more….

Constantly dream of romance? Fixate on thoughts of your partner? Feel a need to always be in love? Learn why — and why this isn't an "addiction.

Toxic femininity, or behavior that aligns with patriarchal beliefs about what women should and shouldn't do, can affect your well-being. Here's how. A new study, released this week has found that death rates are increased for people with obesity who are also socially isolated and lonely.

A new study finds a type of psychedelic called ibogaine may help people with traumatic brain injury. In the study 30 male Special Operations Forces…. A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic?

How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Mental Well-Being. Medically reviewed by Kendra Kubala, PsyD , Psychology — By Crystal Raypole on February 17, Nourish your body. Grab a cup of coffee or tea. Get up and move.

Try a supplement. Get a change of scenery. Reconsider your to-do list. Get enough sleep.

Don't stop learning! Listen to that podcast, buy and read that book, or take up painting. Ever go on a walk and get hit with a sudden surge of ideas? It's because exercise helps blood flow to your brain and also forms new brain connections nerves and synapses.

Plus, exercising contributes to lowered blood pressure, and lowered blood pressure improves blood flow to your brain. Foods with tyrosine increase your brain's dopamine availability, leading to more focus and energy.

For example, eggs are a tyrosine-rich food that gives your brain the protein it needs throughout the day. Specific brain foods, nutrients, and spices. The Mediterranean diet is a better eating style for brain power. It's rich in healthy fats and essential nutrients.

But don't skimp on the following: especially vitamin D and omega-3, which increase serotonin. Drink coffee. Coffee drinkers are more alert, emotionally astute, and ready for action than non-coffee drinkers. Caffeine also increases the availability of dopamine receptors , so your body can better use already-circulating dopamine.

Pay attention to light and activity cycles. The time of day you get natural light significantly impacts brain function. Optimize your brain energy by timing exercise, "feeding," light exposure, and sleep, according to Dr. Hattar , an expert on Light and Circadian Rhythms at the National Institute of Mental Health.

The chronotypes "early-bird" and "night owl" are limiting and don't consider what phases make your body feel best. Pay attention to how working out in the morning versus afternoon versus evening makes you feel.

Do the same with eating, light exposure, and when you go to sleep. For example, Dr. Hattar says he clusters his exercise, light exposure, and eating early in the day because his brain power rapidly declines after 5pm. I've found exercising before I do work and eating late in the morning afterward is the sweet spot.

I'm still figuring out what the best time for bed is. It might sound cheesy, but having positivity around you can make a difference. It may be wise to select who you spend your time with based on how they impact your energy.

If they are supportive and help you feel inspired, that is a good sign. If you feel depleted or drained after spending time with them, it may be good to set some boundaries with your time to ensure you stay energized and on track with your personal goals.

The best way to increase your mental energy is to find something that motivates you and make sure you do it every day. This can be anything from exercising to reading articles that interest you. Whatever you find energizes you and helps you stay motivated.

Another way to increase your mental energy is to map out your day. Like most people, you probably tend to get distracted easily and lose focus on the things you want to get done. This can lead to a lot of distractions and loss of focus. If you want to have more energy, the best thing to do is map out your day visually.

You can do this in a planner, on paper, or in a digital planner. This visual plan can help you stay on top of your tasks and have a clear sense of where each one stands.

It can also help you avoid getting overwhelmed with too many tasks on your plate and provide a sense of clarity and direction to each one. Another way to boost energy is to set goals and prioritize tasks. This leads to you feeling more exhausted than ever before. If you want to increase your mental energy, the best way to do this is to break down your tasks into smaller chunks that are more manageable and log them in your calendar.

Most calendar programs have this feature that helps you break down your tasks into smaller chunks that are more manageable. This can help you quickly see where each one stands and avoid getting too many tasks on your plate.

Knowing your strengths and weaknesses will help you stay focused and productive. For example, if you know you struggle with time management, you can make sure to keep your day moving and avoid being late. Wasting your willpower causes you to become frustrated, angry, and upset quickly.

It can hurt your productivity, your relationships, and even your health. The best way to use your willpower is to save it up. If you get upset, take a break and let your brain rest. People often use their mental energy by complaining, whining, or focusing on the negative.

They can be conversations with co-workers, friends, family, or even grocery store baggers. A mental health professional can help you understand your triggers and how to manage them.

Brain power comes from what you put in your body, how you sleep, and how you exercise. We often get stuck in a rut when it comes to learning. Feeling tired may just be a symptom of our modern lives.

But feeling tired all the time, a condition called fatigue, could be a sign of something more…. Constantly dream of romance? Fixate on thoughts of your partner? Feel a need to always be in love? Learn why — and why this isn't an "addiction.

Toxic femininity, or behavior that aligns with patriarchal beliefs about what women should and shouldn't do, can affect your well-being. Here's how. A new study, released this week has found that death rates are increased for people with obesity who are also socially isolated and lonely.

A new study finds a type of psychedelic called ibogaine may help people with traumatic brain injury. In the study 30 male Special Operations Forces…. A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic?

How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Mental Well-Being. Medically reviewed by Kendra Kubala, PsyD , Psychology — By Crystal Raypole on February 17, Nourish your body. Grab a cup of coffee or tea.

Get up and move. Try a supplement. Get a change of scenery. Reconsider your to-do list. Get enough sleep. The bottom line. How we reviewed this article: Sources.

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Feb 17, Written By Crystal Raypole. Share this article. Read this next. Medically reviewed by Marney A. White, PhD, MS. By Alina Petre, MS, RD NL. Medically reviewed by Danielle Wade, LCSW.

How to Maintain Your Focus with ADHD If you're going to procrastinate, you might as well read this.