Healthy Alternatives to Caffeine

Caffeine has become the lifeblood to wake us up — or to just get us through the day. Caffeine comes from different sources ranging from coffee, energy drinks, pop, chocolate and many more. The first thing most people do in the morning is brew a cup of coffee or visit the drive thru at their local Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts.

Consuming caffeine in moderation has many benefits. A few studies have found that drinking coffee in moderation has had positive effects with long-term memory, Type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and stroke. However, overindulging in caffeine can have many adverse effects. Too much caffeine can cause sleeping problems, anxiety, agitation, restlessness and agitation.

If you need caffeine to get through your day, try these tips instead the next time you need a boost of energy.

Stick to a sleep schedule.

We usually find that lack of sleep is the main cause of feeling tired. Having a routine at bedtime can signal to your body that it’s time to sleep. Cool your house in the evening and avoid technology before bed to help fall asleep.

Take a cold shower.

A cold shower might be tough for some of us to do, especially with the cold weather. The cold water can offer a rejuvenating effect on the body first thing in the morning and help you wake up quicker.

Eat a healthy breakfast.

Breakfast gets put on the back burner when you’re trying to get ready for work. A well-rounded breakfast can provide the energy needed to get through the morning and erase the need to grab a cup of coffee.

Exercise.

This will take some time but making exercise part of your morning routine will be worth it. Exercise increases blood flow and oxygenation of all parts of the body to help fight fatigue and to help jump-start your day.

Drink water.

Without coffee or other caffeinated drinks, you’ll be thirsty. Water will keep you from dehydrating, and feeling tired and lethargic.

Take a power nap.

A 20-minute nap is long enough for you to receive the restorative benefits of the first couple stages of sleep. Avoid sleeping later in the day as it may disrupt your sleep cycle. But don’t rely on naps to make up for lack of sleep the night before.

Connect with nature.

Being around nature — even for small amounts of time — can make you feel more energized. This can be linked to decreasing activated stress responses that nature can provide you.