7 Ways to Boost Your Energy Without Coffee or Caffeine

7 Ways to Boost Your Energy Without Coffee or Caffeine

Don’t take it personal Joe, but mainlining caffeine isn’t the only way to boost through the work day. We have seven natural and sciences-backed methods to have more energy in the morning when you’re cup of coffee isn’t doing the trick—or simply put, you just want a chemical-free high.

Try Jamming out on your Morning Commute

Turning up the radio and jamming to your favorite song can help boost your energy levels. According to a study done in the Journal of Music Therapy, researchers measured people’s arousal levels after singing a song or just listening to one and found that the subjects were more energetic shortly after. When you get your body to move and sing high notes, the triggering response can actually help give you some therapeutic energy.

 

green brussels sprouts

 

Eat More Vegetables and Leafy Greens

The best natural way to get energy is by eating healthy. Green vegetables are high in B vitamins, which help your body convert the nutrients you eat into energy. Eating a green-based salad once a day can help prevent fatigue and make you feel better overall, says Danielle Omar, M.S., R.D.N., a dietitian based in Washington, D.C. If you aren’t too fond of salads, try taking a multivitamin to ensure you are getting your daily vitamin intake. Vitamin deficiency is a real issue and can lead to many other health problems.

Stand up to Wake your Body

If you want energy, it’s as simple as standing up! A short walk around can ward off drowsiness and boost your heart rate, metobilsm and blood flow. Try walking down to your coworker’s office instead of sending them a message on the computer. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. There’s a few things you can do during your daily routine to boost your body’s energy.
girl sun bathing on the beach

 

Get out in the Sun and Soak up some Rays

All it takes is a few minutes. Any longer can be detrimental to your skin if you aren’t wearing any sunscreen. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, you can get your daily dose of Vitamin D when you are in direct sunlight for 10-15 minutes. When you’re eyes are exposed to the natural light, it sends a signal to the areas in the brain responsible for alertness. On the opposite spectrum, sleeping in complete darkness is recommended and preferred by researches. Any small amount of light can interrupt your sleep patterns and cause you to be tired the next day.

Chewing gum might not be the best alternative to coffee, since it’s full of sugar and added preservatives, but it’s a start. However, according to the UK Daily Mail, chewing can actually trigger an increase in heart rate and cortisol levels, which are both linked to energy. Other studies have been proven to show that chewing can also boost memory and processing speeds.

Sexual Arousal can Start Your Engine

Believe it or not, sexual arousal can just be as effective as caffeine. According to Canadian researchers, daydreaming alone can trigger a chemical reaction that increases your blood sugar levels, resulting in a jolt of energy. Next time you find yourself nodding off, close your eyes and think of your favorite memories or your happy place. You should feel a little better thanks to hormones in your body called endorphins. It’s the same feeling we get when we are spending an hour at the craps table.

man laughing by his computer

Get your Laugh on

Sometimes it’s just best to get on YouTube and watch funny cat videos. Just tell your boss that cat video will give you endless amounts of brainpower in your afternoon meetings. By watching something funny, it will increase the blood flow in your entire body, thus boosting performance and energy. Go ahead and enjoy watching your favorite videos for endless hours, we won’t judge.
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