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Drudgery of the 9-5 got you down?  Is it sapping all your energy? Do you feel kind of lethargic by the end of the day?  Here’s a few tips to help you feeling your best all day long so that you have energy left to enjoy the rest of your day once work is over with.

1. Don’t skip meals
Make sure that you eat at least 3 meals a day.  They don’t have to be big meals, they just have to be there.  Skipping meals can make you tired and/or irritable.  And skipping meals can be bad for your waistline for two reasons.  When your body is used to infrequent nutrition it slows down its metabolism and stores as much energy as possible as fat.  And second if you skip meals you’re more likely to get hungry, thus being unable to resist whatever goodies are laying around the office.

2. Stay hydrated
Your body needs water.  If you’re dehydrated you could start feeling tired and listless.  And don’t think that dehydration is reserved for people running marathons.  If you work in a dry climate dehydration could be setting in and you won’t even notice it.  Just because the outside is humid, doesn’t mean that your cubicle is.

3. Consider snacks
Sometimes a little burst of energy helps you make it through the day.  Keep your snacks light and healthy.  I recommend tangerines for this.  Small, sweet, tasty, high fiber.  Can’t really go wrong.

4. Get enough sleep
Most people just don’t sleep enough.  Try for at least 7 hours of sleep a night.  Since waking up later isn’t really  an option for many people consider going to bed earlier.  Also try to make sure that your sleep environment is serene.  Turn off the TV, the computer and the Blackberry.  Your objective is to sleep, not to wake up every two hours to check email.  Don’t drink too much before going to bed lest you wake up in the middle of the night needing to run to the bathroom.

5. Exercise regularly
Incorporating regular exercise into your schedule will help keep your energy up all day long.  It doesn’t have to be much, just 30 minutes or so at least 3 times per week is a good start.

6. Stretch
Spending just a few minutes a day stretching to help limber up those tight muscles and tendons will help keep back and neck aches at bay.  Stretching isn’t the most exciting thing in the world, but it will help you feel less stiff and achy.

7. Get moving
Man (and woman) is not meant to sit in a cubicle all day working at a computer.  Make sure that you get up out of your chair every 45-60 minutes and walk around a little bit.  Do a lap or two around the office.  If you have to, grab some folders so that people think you’re working.