Exhausted? Put down that giant cup of coffee you’re drinking. A simple workout may be all you need to feel more energized.

Although it might seem strange, a study recently published in the journal Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics found regular exercise can actually give you more energy than if you skip working out altogether.

The study, which included volunteers who complained of persistent fatigue and didn’t regularly work out, divided participants into groups and monitored them over a period of six weeks. Some exercised at a low intensity three times a week and some at a moderate intensity for the same time period. Some did not work out at all.

The result? Those in the low-intensity workout group benefited the most.

While both exercise groups said they felt more energized than the non-exercisers did, those in the low-intensity workout group found themselves to be even less fatigued than the moderately intense exercisers by about twenty percent.

And though researchers are still unsure as to why it is that exercise lessens fatigue, they believe this rise in energy could be attributed to the direct effect exercise has on the body’s central nervous system.

The bottom line? Exercise, as long as you don’t overdo it, can help lessen your fatigue and is just plain good for you. So even if you have had a long day, dragging yourself outdoors for a short walk or bike ride might actually help you feel more energized the rest of the day.