There’s a secret to endless energy and I’ll let you in on it: All you have to do is relax.

Yes, it seems like a contradiction. But the concept of “energy” has been distorted over the years. For example, take the classic Energizer Bunny, all he does is go, go, go, beating his drum with vim and verve, until suddenly, his batteries run out, and he’s down for the count. Most of us don’t run on Energizer batteries, and the pressure to “go, go, go” can be exhausting, especially as we age. The trick is to find a level of calm energy that we can maintain throughout the day, and even throughout our lives.

But where does that come from?

The answer may surprise you; one of the best sources of energy is exercise.Although intense exercise can be fatiguing and boost cortisol levels, when you exercise at 60-75% of your max, it keeps your energy humming.

And, exercise even releases your “happy hormone.” Studies prove that exercise produces brain chemicals known to have anti-depressant effects called beta-endorphins. Those beta-endorphins act as natural pain relievers, fight stress levels, and wash all over your body when you exercise, creating that delicious “high” that you feel.

Yep, it’s a Catch 22…working out boosts energy and fights stress levels, but if you don’t have the energy to start moving in the first place, how do you break the cycle?

1. Keep it Simple

Create a workout routine that balances higher-intensity exercises with more moderate, restorative moves. Yoga and Pilates offer gentle yet effective techniques for staying fit without feeling depleted afterward. Start with this 10-min stretching routine to jumpstart your energy:

From the Total Body Turnaround DVD

2. Go long, go slow, and have FUN

You know by now that I’m a firm believer in the power of interval training (bursts of high-intensity activity that boost metabolism and burn more calories). But don’t discount the power of long/slow training. I’ve been an advocate for this type of gently-paced exercise since early in my career. In fact, some of my earliest titles, like the workouts on my Fat Burning Classics compilation DVD, incorporate the long/slow technique, and smile and chuckle you’ll get from the classic 80s soundtrack, hairstyles and leg-warmers might just energize you.

3. Recharge & Rejuvenate

Getting back to that Energizer Bunny idea, if you need to recharge your battery, you’ve got to plug into the ultimate energy source, which is sleep. Lack of shut-eye wreaks havoc on our hormone balance and metabolism, which is why we reach for sugary, fatty foods when we’re sleep-deprived and nothing zaps your energy like junk food. Seven hours of sleep per night is the absolute minimum you should be getting to maintain a healthy energy level.

Need an all-natural sleep aid? Try this relaxation exercise before bed:

The Half Shoulder Stand-

Lie on the floor perpendicular to the wall, with your legs extending up the wall, ankles together, creating an L-shape with your body. Rest your palms on your belly or at your sides facing up. Hold this pose for 2 to 10 minutes, and say “goodnight” to that insomnia.