If you have been contemplating trying to cut back on coffee, then you may be wondering how you are going to stay awake all day long. Staying awake and having enough energy to get throughout the day might seem like an impossible task without coffee, but there are ways to do it. Here are some things you can do to help yourself make it through the day without the aid of coffee.
Eat Better Meals
You may be tempted to eat meals containing lots of sugar to get your day kickstarted. While you may go on a momentary sugar high, when your insulin level starts to drop, you will be even more tired. It is essential to start with a good breakfast because your body has used up most of its stored energy by morning. If you are in a hurry, then grabbing a piece of fresh fruit can give you some natural sugar while helping your body build up its supply of energy. Eating a handful of nuts can help get your mind awake and functioning after a good night’s rest. Since Greek yogurt is high in protein, it can get you up and running and keep you feeling full until you make it to lunch. Avoiding carbohydrates at lunch and supper will keep you feeling energized throughout the day.
Bike to Work
While roughly 40 percent of drivers have said they’ve fallen asleep while driving, it’s much harder to do while on a bicycle. The embarrassment of just thinking that you might fall over may be enough to keep you awake, and you will not hurt someone by being a drowsy driver. Additionally, exercising in the morning releases energy endorphins in your body that will leave you feeling wide awake. These same endorphins also help keep you in a positive mood. When you exercise in the morning, you may sleep better at night, which is a crucial factor in having enough energy not to want to return to drinking coffee. Exercising in the morning by biking to work is also a great way to make sure that you make exercise part of your routine.
Change Activities Frequently
If you are afraid that you might fall asleep at work, then try changing activities frequently. Getting up and moving even a little bit is sure to help wake you back up. You can also try doing chair exercises when you need to stretch. Never take your breaks at your desk. Instead, get up and move around. If you cannot get up and move, then try finding a work activity that is mentally stimulating to perform when you feel yourself getting drowsy during the day.
Drink Water
Drinking water regularly can help you stay more alert and stop you from wanting to reach for a cup of coffee. If you let your body get dehydrated, then less oxygen gets to your brain, and you start to feel drowsy. Even the process of getting a cold drink of water can get you up and move, which naturally beats the urge to drink coffee.
While it might seem tough to get through the 3 p.m. slump when you’re trying to get through the day without coffee, it’s definitely doable. Follow these tips and you’ll be able to get through the day without coffee much more easily than you might have thought.
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