We’ve all been there. It’s 3 PM, you don’t get to clock out for another two hours, and you feel as though you may fall asleep at any moment, on the spot. You’re not sure how you’re going to make it through these next two hours without it. You need more coffee.
Between a hot cup of coffee first thing in the morning, a latte on the way to work, or a cold brew with lunch, many of us have become entirely too dependent on incorporating so many different types of coffee into our daily routines that we’re not sure how to function without it.
Unfortunately, these are symptoms of a nasty caffeine addiction that can cause long-term adverse health effects on our bodies if we let them go too long unchecked. But there are ways to get ourselves off of that coffee train and producing energy naturally without the chemical assistance caffeine provides.
Here is how to get that energy without drinking so much coffee.
1. Drink More Water
Water is essential to all vital organ processes, so it should come as no surprise that a lack of water or dehydration can lead to low energy and grogginess. Drinking a lot of water can provide you with that natural energy your body needs, and drinking cold water can be a little wake-up call for your taste buds.
Try to carry around a water bottle with you daily to make sure you’re getting enough in your system daily.
2. Get Your Body Moving
Though moving can be the last thing you feel like doing when you’re tired, it can actually provide you with a rush of energy that you may need to get through your day. When you start to lose circulation, your limbs can start to numb, making your body feel tired and worn down.
Next time you start to feel sleepy at your desk, stand up, stretch your legs, or go for a walk to the bathroom. This increases blood flow to all of your body, getting circulation where your body needs it and keeping you awake.
3. Remember to Breathe
This seems like a no-brainer, but it wouldn’t be on the list if we were all good about doing it. When your breathing becomes shortened or shallow, it reduces the amount of oxygen that gets introduced to your bloodstream and is responsible for the yawning and fogginess that cloud your head. Taking fuller, deeper breaths can extend your body’s energy stores into consistent use. When you catch yourself yawning, put your hand on your diaphragm and take a few deep, slow, meaningful breaths.
4. Try a Coffee Alternative
If you just have to have something to drink in the morning, try something other than coffee. Whether it’s tea, hot water with lemon, or one of the many coffee alternative beverages that are out there on the market today, you will be able to find a drink that can offer you the feeling of the coffee ritual without the actual coffee and and Read Coffee weight loss benefits.
There are even ones out there that do have smaller amounts of caffeine, so you have no excuse to not try them.
5. Get Enough Sleep
Lastly, but certainly not least, make sure you are getting enough sleep at night. We know, you’ve heard it a million times, but you truly cannot underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep.
Take Care of Your Body and it Will Take Care of You
Your body will respond in kind to whatever you put into it, so make sure that the things you do to keep your energy up are natural and good for you. If you take good care of your body, it’s sure to return the favor.