15 Ways To Stay Alert And Energized Without Caffeine Or Stimulants

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So much of what we do on a regular basis is either fully automated or a boring routine. Our motto has become “work hard, play hard.” This is all well and good, but what if you do it in the reverse order? You may have one of those days that requires your full attention, but then you had an evening that took up a lot of your energy having fun. You may have eaten too much or had one too many cocktails or beers before leaving the party.

You stayed up too late or couldn’t get to bed all night. What do you do in the morning to get yourself ready to be your best at work at whatever you need to do that requires your full attention? Most people reach for as many cups of coffee as they think they can consume, but that may just make you extra jittery and aggravated. Popping a pill also isn’t ideal. It comes with its side effects that can cause you to become dizzy, nauseous, or addicted to stimulants.

Here are 15 ways that you can get yourself back on track naturally. Go through these ideas and select the ones that might work best to get you energized and ready to go quickly and easily, but most importantly do it without any extra caffeine or unnecessary stimulants.

1. Start off with a good breakfast

Begin your day with a heathy breakfast. Instead of pancakes or sausage which could slow you down, choose wholegrain bread, yogurt, and fruit. Peanut butter on toast will give you protein and energy more so than coffee and a donut.

2. Surround yourself with plenty of light

It has been proven that when you are more exposed to sunlight the cells of your body will synthesize vitamin D. It is also a fact that if you surround yourself with plenty of light you will be much more alert naturally.

3. Rest your eyes

If your eyes feel tired you can correct that right away by resting them for a few minutes. Close them and just sit quietly to let them relax. You can also do a few eye exercises if you want to recharge them. Open your eyes as wide as you can then practice looking from side to side as far as you can to bring more circulation to your eyes.

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4. Drink plenty of water

Whatever you do, instead of grabbing a sugary soft drink, grab a cold refreshing water to better hydrate yourself. If you have spent the night drinking alcohol you could probably be dehydrated. Even the smallest loss of fluids can make you tired and irritable.

5. Eat foods that are full of energy

Instead of chips or cookies from the vending machine, change it up a bit and have nuts, fresh fruits, and even cheese for more energy. Junk food will cause you to be even more sluggish where an apple or an orange will leave you energized.

6. Play upbeat music

If you are tired and want to get some rest, listen to classical music or something that is soothing. However, you can be instantly revived if you find a song that has a great beat that even makes you feel like dancing.

7. Take a stretch break

You don’t have to become a master yogi, just a few simple stretches can help revive you in a hurry. Bend over from the waist and try to touch your toes, twist around back and forth from your waist, and raise your arms over your head to stretch out your body.

8. Start a small project

Sometimes you can’t wait until you feel like doing something, you just have to start doing it and your initiative will take over. Look for a small project that you can begin and complete in a short period of time. The sense of accomplishment will make you feel happy and eager to start more projects.

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9. Give your face a quick splash of water

There is nothing like a quick trip to the restroom and a nice cold splash of water on your face to wake you right up. The cold water will get your circulation going and get you ready to face anything.

10. Set out on a quick walk

Just a simple 15-minute brisk walk around the building will work right away in giving you an increase in circulation. Walking helps release endorphins in your body which will also improve your mood.

11. Set your clock for a power nap

All you need is a 15 to 30-minute nap to get you back on track and ready to go again. You don’t need anything longer than 30 minutes or you will have trouble sleeping at night.

12. Keep it cool

Make sure that the temperature in your environment is cool to cold. When you are in a warm environment you will begin to feel tired and drowsy from the heat. Turn down the temperature, turn on a portable fan, or take a quick ride in your car, and turn the air conditioner on full blast.

13. Chew a piece of gum

Researchers proved that those who chewed a piece of gum during the clinical trials ended up in a better mood and much more alert than those who did not chew gum. The flavor or type of gum did not matter, it was just the action of chewing gum.

14. Try a little aromatherapy

Researchers found that people who smelled peppermint oil or mint leaves were better able to drive and more alert than those who did not. After smelling the scents, the participants were able to finish their work faster and with less frustration.

15. Engage in social activity

Call a friend, check out your social media pages, or go visit someone to get your mind off of being tired. A good conversation with someone or new ideas you may find online will completely recharge you and pretty soon you won’t miss your cup of coffee at all.

References:

www.fda.gov

www.lifehack.org

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