Many of us are sleep-deprived and addicted to caffeine. Coffee is a popular way to wake up, or get through an afternoon slump. While coffee has some benefits, there are certainly some drawbacks, such as relying on it a little too much.
If you are looking for a way to wake up without drinking coffee, check out some of these ideas. We've come up with some ways to replace it, and they do not all include having to eat or drink something to accomplish it.
Drink a Bunch of Water
Before you reach for the caffeine in the morning, drink a bunch of water. You just went about eight hours without drinking anything, and when you get up in the morning, you may experience some dehydration symptoms.
Dehydration can lead to you feeling fatigued due to its impact on blood flow to the brain. Your heart has to work harder. To give it a break and to combat fatigue, drink water when you get up to help. If you throw some ice in the water, it will also trigger your adrenaline.
Do Some Stretches or Yoga
When you get up in the morning, it is normal to feel stiff. Although you may not want to move around too much, stretching is a great way to help your body recover. It will get your blood flowing again, improve circulation and blood flow to help you feel more energized. Morning yoga is also a great way to get things moving again.
Put on Some Favorite Jams & Bust a Move
As with stretching, dancing will help get your body up and moving again to improve circulation. Peppy music can inspire you to move around and improve your mood. Waking up by dancing is a great way to set the tone for your entire day. It is fun, will give you energy, and help release those endorphins that we are all seeking.
Eat a Healthy & Balanced Breakfast
If you skip breakfast in favor of coffee, you are doing yourself a disservice. The caffeine may give you a quick boost, but it will soon fade. Make sure to eat a balanced breakfast instead. By choosing foods that include carbs, protein, and fat, you will wake up your metabolism, and help you feel energized longer.
Take a Cold Shower
Even though a cold shower may not sound all that pleasant as a morning ritual, just like with the ice in your water, it will help give you a burst of adrenaline. It can help you relieve stress and feel more alert because it activates the parasympathetic nervous system. If you have trouble getting your full body into the icy water, splashing your face with it or drinking it instead can have a similar effect.
Get Outside in the Sunshine
Getting outside for a breath of fresh air has many benefits. If you have time for a quick walk, that's even better. Being stuck indoors too much can make you feel run down, but a change of scenery can help you feel better. Going outside can help your mood to improve, and the vitamin D from the sun will help give you more energy.
Try the Stimulating Breath Technique
There is a certain type of breathing that is sometimes used in yoga called the stimulating breath technique or the "Bellows Breath." It is used to stimulate the diaphragm and help the body increase alertness. You can add this practice to your morning or yoga routine.
To do this, you breathe in and out through your nose with short and rapid breaths while keeping your mouth closed. Do this for 10 seconds, give yourself a break and then repeat a few times. Do not be alarmed. It is actually supposed to be that noisy!
Brush With Peppermint Toothpaste
Since you should be brushing your teeth anyway, make sure to do it once in the morning with peppermint toothpaste. Peppermint is known to increase alertness, so brushing your teeth with it can help you wake up. You can also add peppermint to your morning yogurt or chew on some gum early in the day for a similar effect.
Stimulate Pressure Points
Giving yourself a mini massage is another way to help you wake up in the morning without coffee. There are certain pressure points that you can focus on that can help give you some extra oomph in the morning. Concentrate on your wrists, temples and the webbing between your thumb and pointer finger for the most impact.
Drink Coconut Water
For a great pick-me-up, consider replacing your morning brew with coconut water. The potassium in the coconut water helps balance fluids and the carbs help with energy. This combination may help you wake up and feel more energized for your day. Plus, it is delicious. If you do not want to drink it straight, you can always add it to your smoothie to make it more energizing.
Open the Blinds or Curtains at Night
Instead of relying on your alarm to wake you up, make sure your blinds or curtains are open before going to sleep for the night. The natural light of the morning will wake you up in a more gentle way. It will signal your body that it is time to wake up by dropping your melatonin production. By waking up in an easier way, you will be able to find your energy sooner.
Munch on Some Dark Chocolate
If you are open to still indulging in caffeine without the coffee, try having some chocolate in the morning instead. Before you eat just any chocolate, be sure it is dark chocolate. Even though it is still less than coffee, dark chocolate has about twice the caffeine that milk chocolate does. If you keep to the higher percentages, it won't spike your blood sugar.
Have Some Tea
If it is the caffeine you are after, tea is an alternative to coffee. Black tea has the highest amount of caffeine, but green tea and matcha also have some as well. These teas can offer great wake-up power. You could also consider peppermint tea and get the winning effect of that plant as well.
Do Brain Exercises
Your brain has been operating at a lower level during the night, so giving it some exercise in the morning can help you wake up. If you have time, you could play a competitive game with a friend. If not, you can check out some solo brain stimulators such as Sudoku or a crossword puzzle to get your brain some exercise.
Watch Something Scary
Adrenaline will help you wake up like nothing else. There are a few ways to release this and use it to your advantage. One of them is by giving yourself a good scare. Watch some horror in the morning and you will wake up really fast. If you don't have time to get into a movie, check out some scary clips.
Call Mom
Talking to someone with whom you have a personal connection can help perk you up in the morning. Your mom is especially a good choice as the one who probably woke you up for years. No matter if it's fun talking to your mom or if it's stressful, both things can help get you going. She is a great person to vent to and can also help ease your stress if you have a good relationship.
Address a B-12 Deficiency
A vitamin B-12 deficiency should be addressed by taking additional B-12. If you have a chronic health issue, such as a bowel disease or an immune disorder, you are more susceptible to developing a deficiency. This deficiency can be diagnosed through a blood test. Once you confirm it, taking vitamin B-12 can help boost energy and fight fatigue.
Watch Something Funny
Find some clips or a show that can really make you laugh. Laughing has some great health benefits, and can help you wake up for your day. It is able to improve your mood and elevate your heart rate, which can make you feel more energized. By getting in some laughs early in the day, you can feel better and set the tone for your whole day.
Add Some Spice
Why not give your taste buds a wake up as well? Add some spice to your breakfast to give yourself a natural energy boost. Certain spices can help and many of them work well in eggs or a smoothie.
Try out these spices:
- Ginseng can help curb fatigue and improve your energy.
- Cayenne pepper may help trigger your metabolism to make you feel more energized.
- Turmeric can increase the growth hormone level in the brain, which helps you focus and promotes energy.
- Ginger may help increase blood flow to improve energy.
Try Aromatherapy
Different smells can have an effect on your alertness. Engaging your sense of smell early in the day can help wake you up. Aromatherapy can help lift your mood and make you feel more alert. Peppermint, rosemary, and citrus are all great choices to get some pep in your step. You can add in one of these through a fragrant shampoo or body wash.
*Disclaimer: The advice on CafeMom.com is not a substitute for consultation with a medical professional or treatment for a specific condition. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem without consulting a qualified professional. Please contact your health-care provider with questions and concerns.
