Staying Energized Without Caffeine
Do you plan your entire morning schedule around your Starbucks run? Keep your office fridge fully stocked with Coca Cola? Rely on a midday cup of coffee just to get you through the 3pm slump? If so, you may have a sliiiiiight addiction to caffeine. And we get it! Trust us, you’re so not alone.
However good pop tastes and regardless of the gods above who blessed us with the coffee bean, there can be some pretty negative downsides to drinking so much caffeine.
We’ve all seen those videos of Coca Cola cleaning toilet bowl stains and dissolving rust. And if you’re anything like us, it didn’t phase you enough to stop drinking it. But caffeine consumption can also lead to high blood pressure, increased risk of heart attack, insomnia, diabetes, depression and anxiety, and so much more! It can even affect your fertility, lead to more miscarriages, and cause cysts in your breasts. We’re not messing around. A caffeine addiction does some serious damage.
Now you’re probably thinking: But I have to confirm with my venue, book my florist, attend a dress fitting and a cake tasting this week, all while working full-time! How else am I supposed to have the energy to get it all done?
Well, bride. We’ve done the research to help you answer just that. Here are some healthier and more natural ways to boost your energy levels without hurting your body.
Exercise
If you didn’t immediately roll your eyes at the suggestion to add yet another task to your daily schedule, we applaud you. We totally understand that your life is pretty chaotic right now. You’re trying to balance a job, social life, romantic life, family duties, and wedding planning all at once! But we promise that adding just 30 minutes of activity to your day will not only raise your energy levels, but also help your motivation and focus. Squeeze in a power walk at lunch or wake up just a bit earlier to do some yoga or kickboxing. Getting your blood flowing and your heart pumping raises endorphins that help you feel energized and ready to tackle any task.
Eat a Good Breakfast
We’re not talking grabbing a bagel on your way out the door or going for a muffin because you think it’s healthier than a donut (hint: it’s not). Get in the habit of waking up early enough to sit down and have a good meal to start the day. Eggs take literal MINUTES to fry or scramble. You could even hard boil eggs on the weekend for a quick go-to when you’re in a rush! Add in some fruit – like an orange, apple, or melon cubes – and a slice of whole wheat toast for a meal that will keep you feeling full and energized all morning. Oatmeal, fruit smoothies, fruit bowls, and homemade muffins are also good options.
Stay Hydrated
Water is the juice of the angels. It sustains us, makes us whole, and keeps us alive. We might sound a bit dramatic, but trust us when we say we aren’t. These are strictly facts, ma’am. When you start drinking the recommended amount of water – 64 ounces or half your weight (if you weight 150 pounds, drink 75 ounces), whichever is more – you will immediately notice a difference. Not only will you feel like you are a health guru, but you’ll see your skin clear up, you’ll sleep better, you’ll snack less, you may lose some weight, and you’ll feel more energized! Don’t ask us why; we don’t know. Maybe it has to do with the unwanted calories and subsequent crashes you dealt with when you used to drink caffeine?
Sleep 8+ Hours
Koala bears are the true winners. They can sleep up to 22 hours a day. #LivingTheDream #SpiritAnimal But as a human trying to make it through this struggle we call life, it can be hard to even get the suggested 8 hours! If you find yourself finally sitting down to watch The Bachelor only to realize its 11:32pm, you’re not the only one. It’s important to establish a nightly routine so you can ensure you get to bed on time. If you simply have to much on your plate, try time blocking, or sit down on Sunday night to mark down which tasks you’re going to do on which day. Meal prep over the weekend and plan out your lunches and dinners so you can easily cook and pack them. Depending on your task list, you could even try multi-tasking. Cook your chicken dinner while you workout or sort the laundry. Wash the dishes while you chat with your mom.
Once you find that you have a routine of going to bed 8 hours before you need to get up, make sure you can fall asleep easily! Spray your sheets with lavender fabric spray and make sure the temperature is just right. Instead of watching the TV, turn on a guided meditation or relaxing music. Make sure your pillows are perfectly plumped (if they start deflating, replace them! Neck support hugely impacts your quality of sleep!). You should also try replacing your typical alarm with something a bit more gentle and refreshing. That way, you’ll wake up feeling relaxed and refreshed, rather than repeatedly pressing snooze.
Vitamin D
Ever realize that you seem to be more energized and upbeat in the summer? When it turns cold and gray out, all you want to do is curl up with a blanket and become a couch potato. There is actually a disorder called SAD – or Seasonal Affective Disorder – that proves that when the sun leaves us, we become more depressed and less energized. Vitamin D is released when sunlight interacts with your cells, boosting your mood and energy levels. If you live in Ohio and only experience the sun 8 weeks out of the year (ok, that might be an exaggeration), you may need to take Vitamin D supplements to avoid a deficiency.
Eat Proteins
If you’ve ever gotten stuck in a conversation with a nutrition or fitness-obsessed expert, you know that you should eat protein before a workout. This is because protein breaks down to give your muscles more energy. That’s why protein drinks and bars are so popular among weight lifters. Proteins can be found in poultry, fish, lean meat, nuts, eggs, Greek yogurt, milk, and some beans and seeds. Try snacking on almonds throughout the day or having a Greek Yogurt parfait for dessert. Loading up on protein will ensure that your muscles are getting the sustenance they need, ensuring that you don’t feel overworked or fatigued.
That being said, you may also want to limit your carb intake. Trust us, we love carbs as much as the next person. We will fight you if you try to take away our pasta or bread. But eating too many carbs can weigh you down, making you feel more exhausted and less motivated. They’re also not very filling, so you’ll keep eating more and more. You’ll end up feeling tired and hangry, sitting on the couch, shoving another handful of potato chips into your mouth. Choose a snack or foods that will fuel your body, instead.
Take Advantage of Essential Oils
The right aroma can not only motivate you and make you happier, but also improve your focus and help you feel energized. Choose sharp, strong smells like peppermint, cinnamon, and basil. Citrus scents like orange, lemon, grapefruit, and lime are also hugely effective for increasing energy. Invest in essential oil jewelry, put a diffuser in your office or home, or rub the oil into your skin! We suggest your wrist, behind the ear, or the neck.
When you have a mile-long to-do list, it’s important to stay energized and motivated. Otherwise, how will you ever get it all done? Caffeine can be a huge help, but relying too much on it can cause major problems. Try out a few of these suggestions to find what works the best for you!
