5 Ways to Boost Your Energy Levels Without Coffee
Most of us have been there: feeling sluggish and unable to focus, and immediately reaching for a cup of coffee to give us the much-needed jolt of energy. But while caffeine can be a great pick-me-up, it comes with a price. Anxiety, jitters, crashes, and other side effects of consuming too much caffeine can leave us feeling worse off than before.
But fear not, coffee lovers! Many alternatives can give you a much-needed energy boost without experiencing the negative side effects.
So, before you reach for another cup of coffee, consider trying some of the alternatives we list below. Your body (and your productivity) will thank you.
Take a Quick Break for Physical Activity
You probably know that exercise is good for your health. But did you know that regular exercise is one of the best ways to boost your energy levels? According to Mayo Clinic, regular activity helps your heart and lungs to work more efficiently, which delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the tissues in your body.
As your heart and lungs become more efficient, you’ll have more energy throughout the day. This will make it easier to tackle all of your daily tasks and stay focused at work.
Taking a small break for physical activity can help you recharge your energy levels. One study examining the effects of physical activity on office workers discovered that taking a break for a 5-minute moderate-intensity exercise such as walking could improve energy levels and decrease feelings of fatigue.
The same study found that these activity breaks helped boost the mood of office workers. That’s why taking a 5-minute walk to recharge your batteries and refresh your brain seems like a great idea when feeling tired and unable to focus.
Drink Water
Many people get so busy during the day that they forget to drink enough water. This causes dehydration, which makes people feel tired and unable to perform their daily tasks.
So, how do you know that you’re not drinking enough water?
The first sign is feeling thirsty. However, if you’re too busy or focused on work, you may not even notice feeling thirsty. Other symptoms of mild dehydration include:
- Dry, cool skin
- Dry mouth
- Headaches
- Confusion
- Irritability
- Urinating less than normal
- Dark yellow pee
Most people don’t even know how much water they should be drinking. Luckily, there are many online calculators that can help you determine just how much fluids you need to drink every day.
After all, every system in our bodies needs water to perform optimally. Even mild dehydration can cause a dip in your energy levels, affect your mood, and impair your focus. So, the next time you feel sluggish, go for a glass of water instead of a cup of coffee. It may be just what your body needs.
Take a Power Nap
Taking a power nap is the best way to recharge your batteries and hit that refresh button. However, most people working in the office don’t have the option to take a quick snooze in the middle of the day, so power naps are mostly reserved for people working from home.
Research shows that a power nap can help people improve energy levels, alertness, and performance. That’s why they are a great way to overcome the mid-afternoon slump and give you an energy boost that can power the rest of your day.
However, you need to be strategic about your power naps to get the most out of them. That means timing your power nap between 1 PM and 3 PM and limiting duration to 30 minutes at most. Following these two simple rules will help you become the master of power naps and allow you to stay energized throughout the second part of the day.
Try a Wellness Drink
Researchers have been looking for more holistic ways to support well-being. As a result, we have discovered many herbs and plants that can promote energy levels, reduce stress, support brain health, and achieve other beneficial effects.
Using these herbs and plants in our diets can help us maintain focus and fight off fatigue. But there is also a more convenient way to get that energy boost – wellness drinks. These holistic drinks are packed with nutrients and ingredients that improve your energy levels and focus without the jitters and crashes you sometimes feel after drinking coffee.
For example, a wellness shot such as MTE combines 11 holistic ingredients to promote energy in a natural and sustainable way. The great thing about these drinks is that they provide more than an energy boost. They can also help improve mood, maintain focus, respond better to stress, and more.
Spend Time in the Sun
Spending time outside has numerous benefits for your health and well-being. Exposure to sunlight is essential for producing vitamin D, which supports and protects our bones, immune system, and blood cells.
Regular exposure to sunlight can also help improve sleep, reduce stress, manage weight, fight off depression, boost energy, and more.
Spending time outside is detrimental to your well-being. Sun exposure helps your brain understand that it’s time to be active, which can fight off fatigue. That’s why a quick walk outside can get you over an afternoon energy dip and recharge your batteries. Plus, it’s a great way to combine two proven energy-boosting strategies – moderate activity and sunlight exposure.
The Bottom Line
Feeling tired during the afternoon is normal. However, drinking another cup of coffee may not be the best option to combat the mid-day slump.
Taking a brisk walk, spending time in the sun, taking a power nap, drinking more water, or consuming a wellness drink can all help you get a more sustainable energy boost. In addition, these strategies can help you reduce stress, maintain focus, and improve your mood.