Coffee is undoubtedly the most popular way to get an energy boost. However, there are some alternatives that you can try to stay active all day long.
Did you know that over 50% of Americans over 18 years of age drink coffee every day, accounting for over 150 million daily drinkers? According to data published by E-Imports, in 2016, Americans were drinking an average of 3 cups of coffee a day. After all, what can be better for an energy boost than a cup of coffee?
Scientific studies have revealed that drinking coffee, which contains ingredients that lower blood sugar, helps in the prevention of diabetes, along with lowering the risk of liver disease.
But How Much Coffee Is Too Much?
However, can you always rely on a cup of coffee when seeking an energy boost? There is a lot of scientific evidence to show that an excess intake of coffee can cause insomnia and restlessness. Moreover, due to the presence of caffeine, an individual can experience stomach upset, nausea and vomiting, increased heart and breathing rate, and other side effects, along with headaches, anxiety, agitation, ringing in the ears, and irregular heartbeats.
It is recommended that a person should not consume more than 400 milligrams of caffeine, which is equal to 2-3 cups of coffee, per day, to keep everything under control.
But what if you need an energy boost and have exhausted your daily quota of caffeine? Here are a few activities that you can try on a daily basis to stay active all day long.
7 Things That Give You a Higher Energy Boost Than Coffee
1. Audit yourself daily
Without proper self-awareness of your life, installing new strategies is essentially shooting targets in the dark which leads to a low hit completion. The easiest way to start the self-auditing process is to begin a daily mindfulness practice where you’ll take notice of when and what makes your energy head south. This allows you to take precise action on alleviating the energy drainers.
2. Master your mornings
Morning rituals are popular for good reason. They, combined with exercising for as little as ten minutes possess the power to supercharge your productivity and mood, which leads to a higher performing version of yourself.
3. Master your nights
The quality of actions you take at night dictates the quality of your sleep, which ultimately plays a key role in your energy levels for the next day.
4. Jump whenever and wherever you can
If you remember your childhood, did you ever need a reason to jump off the bed or the stairs? Can you recall those intense energy levels you used to possess at that point of your life? Incorporating jumping in your daily exercise routine activates the body’s lymphatic system to remove toxins and increase mental clarity.
5. Drink lots of water
Unfortunately, the modern workforce is drinking everything, be it coffee, cold drinks or wine, but not water. Our body is made of 70% water. It needs to be hydrated to function properly. Drinking lots of water keeps you alert, gives you an energy boost and improves your mood, which ultimately increases your productivity.
6. Practice an energy-boosting culture at the office
Are you working in an office that seems to reek of boredom? Instead of expecting others to take the initiative to rejuvenate the environment, why don’t you take the lead?
Simple practices like saying good morning and goodbye, having good informal conversations, occasional playing of high-energy music can all give you a positive energy boost.
7. Consume energy boosting foods and herbs
Coffee is so much a part of our daily lives that many of us can’t imagine starting the day without a cuppa. This is because the caffeine present in coffee has energy boosting properties.
The benefits of caffeine in increasing your energy levels cannot be overlooked. What if you get these benefits, without having any of the side-effects? There are several natural energy boosters like green tea that also contain caffeine along with antioxidants and other important nutrients.
There are also energy boosting herbs that don’t contain caffeine and yet are effective in supercharging the overall energy levels. Some examples of such herbs and roots include ashwagandha, ginseng and ginger.
Finally, you can introduce certain foods into your diet which can enhance your cognitive performance and elevate your mood. Some of these are salmon, dark chocolate and berries.
It’s difficult to give up your daily coffee, but remember that it’s crucial to drink it in moderation. When you need an energy boost, try the above activities to stay active without caffeine.
Great advice but I find it a little more achievable with at least one cup of morning coffee. Maybe I’ll try green tea tomorrow!
Thanks for this sensible advice.