Attention All Coffee Addicts! How to Maintain Your Energy Without Caffeine

If caffeine is your vice, here are a few natural alternatives.

There is no denying it, many human beings around the world are fully addicted to caffeine. It starts with a morning coffee once in a while to help you study in high school or college.

It ends with you dragging yourself out of bed, clawing for the coffee maker like a zombie, just trying to feel alive enough to get your kids ready for school, and face a full 8 hours of work.

Caffeine is really a slippery slope, made more slippery by the fact that coffee is SO delicious!

That being said, I think we should try and avoid becoming addicted to anything.

I recently realized I’ve been drinking more coffee than I would like, so I went on a search for some alternatives. It turns out, there are other ways to keep your energy boosted, while avoiding those magical little brown beans.

So here are a few doctor recommended ways to stay energetic, without blowing your child’s entire college fund at Starbz. (Seriously, it’s alarming how much money we spend on coffee.)

Water- Americans do not drink nearly as much water as they should. Are you feeling hungry for no reason? Drink water! It will most likely fill you up. Do you wake up exhausted every morning? Drink water! It’ll jump start your metabolism and help you get out of bed. Many people who suffer from chronic exhaustion are just dehydrated. We are literally made of mostly water. So water will give you energy, naturally.

READ MORE: The Pros and Cons of Caffeine Consumption

Energy-boosting foods- Your diet is where all of your energy comes from obviously, so it’s a great place to start. Processed and sugary foods give you a short boost of energy followed by a crash, so its better to eat leafy greens, fruits, whole grains, and proteins throughout the day. If you eat them in small portions all day, even better!

Hit the gym- Nothing will keep your energy up like a regularly scheduled fitness routine. I know I probably seem like I jog 14 miles to work with a baby strapped to my back, but sometimes I take a break from my exercise routine, especially around the holidays. My energy levels always suffer, and it isn’t until I get back into my routine that I feel adequately prepared to meet the challenges of my every day life. So hitting the gym regularly will benefit you in almost every way. It only takes 33 days to develop a habit, so if you are feeling unmotivated, just keep it up for 33 days and see how you feel then.

Power nap- The power nap is nature’s direct alternative to caffeine. If you can master it, a little power nap in the middle of the day will energize you as much, if not more, than a cup of coffee. You just have to get good at turning your mind off (I know its easier said than done). When I am trying to fall asleep quickly for a 20 minute power nap, I start by putting my phone on airplane mode, and telling myself that the next twenty minutes are all about me. Nothing else exists in those 20 minutes. Whether I fall asleep fully or not, those 20 minutes of mindfulness (and mindlessness hopefully) always give me the energy boost I need.

Get more sunlight. Especially in the winter months, sunlight is a great energy booster because of Vitamin D. If you find yourself exhausted at work, take a little walk in the sun. If you can power nap on a bench in the park, even better.