There are just days when you feel like you don't want to get out of bed. You know the feeling. You feel so sluggish and tired that no amount of prodding from your alarm clock could get your butt moving. Ironically, it is during this time when every nerve of your body is telling you to leave it alone, when you shouldn't heed its call. With every fiber of your being, you should will yourself to exercise to combat fatigue.

A University of Georgia study has shown that adults who engaged in as little as 20 minutes of low-to-moderate aerobic exercise, three days a week for six consecutive weeks, reported lessened feelings of lethargy or fatigue and increased energy levels. Pete McCall, Exercise Physiologist at the American Council on Exercise explains that the boost in energy levels created by exercise enhances the blood flow, carrying oxygen and nutrients to muscle tissue which improves their ability to produce more adenosine triphosphate, the cell's energy source.

If you've never tried walking or jogging before but want to simply just to beat the blues away then exercising even for as little as 20 minutes during most days of the week will do. However, exercise does more than just give you a dose of the adrenalin rush. An otherwise healthy adult who can meet the US Department of Health and Human Services exercise guidelines of 2.5 hours a week of moderate-intensity exercise stands to benefit by regaining lost muscle mass and strengthen weakening bones, reducing the risk for serious chronic diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, cancer and high blood pressure.

Engaging in exercise to combat fatigue is not only limited to doing "scheduled" workouts. It lies in redefining your views of exercise somewhat. For instance, you could limit your use of the car for errands within a couple of miles. Walking or cycling your way there is enough to pump up your energy levels while giving you the health-benefits of exercise. Working out with friends and family is also another way to combat the boredom that comes with exercising alone. In fact, doing recreational activities with the whole family is one sure way to keep your energy levels up. From playing Frisbee in the park to frolicking in the beach to hiking the woods together, the list of enjoyable activities that help keep the blood circulating while giving you the chance to enjoy and strengthen family bonds are endless.

However, even if you do have to workout on your own, there are always incentives to keep you on track. Staying fit and healthy, being free of disease and having the chance to enjoy a high quality of life-- all these are great exercise motivators. More importantly, being consistent in your regimen also makes physical activity a habit and reduces your chances of always feeling lazy when doing your workout. So the next time you feel so sluggish that any form of physical activity seems unappealing, muster all your energies towards getting out of bed and exercise to combat fatigue!