Feeling sluggish especially in the morning? How about a cup of coffee? That’s what almost everyone would say! But what should you do if you are not a coffee drinker? Don’t fret! There are so many ways to boost energy without caffeine.
Say goodbye to that morning cup of Joe, mid day pick-me-up or even afternoon latte! All you need to do is change some of your daily habits, and you’re on your way to an energetic day without relying on caffeine!
Believe me, drinking coffee or eating chocolates are not the only ways to perk up.
Below are some of natural ways to get energy without caffeine that I would personally use:-
1. Take Some Chewing Gum
Besides refreshing your breath and helping you to release stress, chewing gums can also help you to increase your energy without caffeine. When you have some chewing gum, you will be more alert as it will increase your heart rate and blood circulation to the brain. So, if you are stressed and sluggish at work or tired studying for an exam, chew some gum for a few minutes!
2. Replace Refined Carbs with Whole Grains
Refined carbohydrates will bring down your energy levels. On the other hand, whole grains will make you more energetic! This is because the fibre slows the absorption of carbohydrates. So, make sure to get enough whole grains in your diet. You can pack them in your food by simply having some whole-grain cereal and toast for breakfast.
3. Listen to Upbeat Music
This will especially work well if you find yourself falling asleep during the day! Upbeat music makes you more awake and energetic, especially if you sing along. When you sing, you also decrease your tension levels and give yourself a great cardio workout. This will help you to have increased productivity and creativity! What a great energy boost without caffeine, don’t you think?
4. Exercise Regularly
Although you may think that exercising will make you tired, if you do it regularly, it will actually make you more active! When you exercise regularly, you become more alert and energetic for a longer period of time. Exercising helps to increase your blood flow and energy to both your brain and skeletal muscles. So hit the gym instead of the sack when you feel lethargic next time!
5. Get Quality Sleep
No matter how many hours of sleep you get, it’s useless if it’s not quality sleep. To get a better sleep, try to sleep at the same time every day. Stop thinking about the stresses of the day or what needs to be done the following day and just well…Sleep! This is because if you are sleep-deprived, you will be less energized throughout the next day.
6. Switch on the Lights
Ever wondered why you always feel sleepy when the lecturer switched off the lights to show you those video projections? That’s because when it’s dark, you’ll naturally feel sleepy. So, similarly when your room is dark, you will feel that it’s time to take a nap! If this happens, switch on the lights. You’ll then be awake again!
7. Take a Walk
This works really well when you’re sleepy while sitting at your office desk. Just take a brisk walk around the area to boost your energy without caffeine. Just a quick 10 minutes of walking break will do. It’ll save you money and make you healthier at the same time!
8. Drink Lots of Water
Besides taking natural energy foods, it’s equally important to drink enough water every day in order to transport all the nutrients to our brains. Our bodies and brains are made mostly out of water. So, when we don’t stay hydrated, we will tend to feel sleepy and tired. I know that when we are busy, we often forget to drink enough water. But, make it a point to stay hydrated the whole day if you want to be energetic and alert!
9. Take Some Vitamins
Vitamins such as multi-vitamins, vitamin B and D play an important part in our body’s metabolism. They are natural energy boosters that we can take every day to help us stay alert. It’s advisable to invest in good vitamins so that they can help your body to function to its optimum level.
10. Eat your Breakfast
Yep, eat your breakfast! And don’t think of skipping it even though you’re on a diet or planning to wake up late. Eating breakfast actually tells your body that it’s time to ‘wake up’ and start the day! Eat a healthy and balanced breakfast every day such as high-fibre cereals, milk, fruit, oatmeal and yogurt. It’s also a great way to pack some essential nutrients to your diet so that you will have enough energy for the day to be as productive as possible. That’s why it’s actually the most important meal of the day!
11. Enjoy the Sun
If you have been indoors the whole day, it’s a good idea to get some sunshine by going outdoors. By getting outside, you will feel more refreshed. The sunlight helps your body to produce vitamin D, which is good for health. It also helps to boost your energy levels and mood.
12. Do Some Stretching Exercise
When you feel that you are tired and your muscles are stiff, it’s time to do some stretching exercise. Stretching will help you to fight against fatigue and make you more alert. If you have been sitting at your desk for a long time, you may want to stand up and go somewhere else to do your stretch. But, if you want, you can also stretch at your desk without much of a hassle.
13. Use Cold Water
If you are at work, school or university, you can revitalize yourself by simply splashing cold water on your face in the toilet. If you are at home, you can have a cold shower instead!
14. Get a Power Nap
If you are really tired, sometimes, all you need is a quick 10-20 minutes power nap to help you to get energy without caffeine. Remember to set your alarm clock though, or else you won’t be able to sleep at night!
15. Eat Regular Meals
Your body needs food to function. So if you have been skipping meals, that is probably the reason why you often feel tired. No matter how busy you are, make sure to schedule your time properly so that you will have time to eat lots of healthy meals and snacks throughout the day.
16. Practice Good Body Posture
Make sure to sit up straight when you are at the computer or desk. Slouching will only make you to feel tired. So, sit up straight, have your shoulders back and have your eyes looking ahead. This good body posture will definitely give you more energy without caffeine.
17. Take Non Caffeinated Drinks
There are so many non caffeinated drinks out there that you can take to boost your energy levels if you don’t want to rely on coffee. Some great examples are fruit juices and smoothies. You have to be careful though with store bought ones, as they might be loaded with too much sugar. Instead, invest in a good fruit juicer and smoothie maker at home so that you can prepare them yourself!
So, this concludes my tips on how to get energy without caffeine. Did you find my tips useful? Do you have some tips to share?