12 Ways To Stop Feeling Sleepy Without Coffee Or Energy Drinks

 

Photo credit: bigstock.com

Photo credit: bigstock.com

9. Try Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy can help relieve low energy levels, fatigue, irritability, headaches, and, of course, daytime sleepiness. Some of the best essential oils for this purpose are peppermint, grapefruit, basil, and rosemary. You can sniff straight from the bottle, put a few drops on a cloth and place it nearby, or put some in a room diffuser. Reed diffusers are terrific for the office!

 

10. Lemon Water

Drinking a glass of lemon water each morning can also help to ward off daytime drowsiness. Lemon water keeps the body hydrated, flushes out toxins, and revs up the metabolism. Being dehydrated affects the oxygen levels in the brain, which can leave you feeling more tired or sleepy during the day. First thing in the morning, squeeze the juice from one half of an organic lemon into a glass of water. Drink this on an empty stomach; first thing you wake up in the morning. You can also repeat this in the afternoon if you like.

 

11. Get Some Exercise

To really improve your levels of alertness in the afternoons, you need exercise. Getting just 30 minutes of exercise at least five days each week will go a long way towards improving your overall sleep quality and fighting off daytime drowsiness. Getting outdoor exercise in a natural setting will provide you with the most benefits.

 

READ ALSO: 12 Organic Teas That Will Kick Insomnia To The Curb

 

12. Make Healthy Food Choices

To prevent feeling sleepy later on in the day, never skip breakfast. Eating a healthy but light breakfast will give your brain the food it needs to stay alert so that you can be more productive during the day. Skipping breakfast will result in low blood sugar, which will leave you feeling weak, sleepy, and give you a headache as well.

Choose a good breakfast that includes low fat, high protein foods. Good choices would be eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, fresh fruit, oatmeal, nuts, and smoothies. One good example would be a smoothie made with Greek yogurt, a few strawberries, a banana, a few orange slices and a bit of raw, organic honey. Avoid eating heavy lunches that include things like pasta and bread.

 

Extra Tips:

  • Take a 20 minute power nap after lunch
  • Include more herbs such as ginger and cayenne pepper to rev up your metabolism
  • Try 20 minutes of meditation before bedtime for a good night’s rest
  • Chewing sugar free gum during the day helps some people stay awake
  • Keep your workplace bright and uncluttered
  • Avoid junk foods, sugar, and foods high in saturated fats, such as typical fast food
  • Take short breaks to refresh the mind

When we are tired, it is normal to want to turn to energy drinks or coffee. But these items do more harm than good. Try a few of the above tips first.

References:

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

http://www.aasmnet.org

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