Need your cup of coffee every day to stay awake? Four cups of coffee? I know your pain.
I get up at 6am every day. It sucks.
I used to have to drink a Red Bull (sugar free of course, wouldn’t want that in my system) on my way into work in the morning just to make it through the day. Then at noon I would go to the store and get a Monster energy drink (lo-carb, no doubt, gotta stay healthy). I knew it was terrible for me and it had to stop before my heart did.
So I started finding new ways to stay awake all day without caffeine. Here are the 12 easiest ways I found to get energy without the drug many of us rely on so much.
- Compete. Nothing fuels your adrenaline like a good competition. Whether it’s a simple dare to ask a random girl for her number, or just a game of rock paper scissors for who has to buy lunch for the day, competition can make anything exciting.
- Work out. One of the simplest ways to get your blood pumping is to pump iron. It might make your body tired for a short time afterwards, but soon you’ll be more energized than ever.
- Make it a game. For instance, sometimes I pretend I’m a fugitive in a high-speed pursuit and all of the cars in my rear-view mirror are after me. It’s silly, but it keeps me awake while I’m driving.
- Stretch. When you stretch you will not only improve your flexibility, but you will improve your circulation which will allow you to stay awake longer.
- Take a break. Even if it’s just zoning out for a moment, you need to relax and take some you time.
- Eat your biggest meal at the beginning of the day. If you’re going to eat a big meal, make sure it’s at the beginning of the day in order to fuel you without slowing you down.
- Do something different. Switch gears, attack a different task, or just do a different part of the task you’re on.
- Get some fresh air. Sunlight naturally wakes us up, and nature can make you feel at peace.
- Have fun. Don’t let your life be boring. Introduce aspects to your life that interest you and cut out the ones that don’t.
- Drink lots of water. Not only is water much better for you, but caffeinated drinks usually have other harmful things in them like sugar and unnecessary calories. Drinking water will keep you awake all day, even if it’s just to keep you regularly going to the bathroom.
- Don’t eat heavy meals. Big meals slow you down and make you tired. Eat light and often through the day.
- Run. Even a short run will wake your body up and get your blood flowing.
Hopefully these help you break free from the caffeine monster and allow you stay awake, alert, and productive throughout the day. If you have any other tips, please feel free to leave a comment.
Now go own the world.-Ravi Vora
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I’m new here, but, I’m thoroughly enjoying what I’m reading. You’re going to make a subscriber out of me with posts like these!
Mabuhay from Boracay Island! I’ve used various recreational substances for over 35 years at various times in my life for various purposes. Last year I experienced the “straight edge high” after a few months without any such substances and life’s path became full of almost psychic omens helping me choose which direction to continue during my travels in nine new countries in Eastern Europe for the first time. I have always used Caffeine to jump start my day but appreciate your tips above and even though I know old habits don’t go away easily your tips above may have inspired me to give it another go. More than that it’s GREAT being introduced by this blog to a very wise 21 year old. Ciao for now, Bill
Thanks for that list! It’s full of great things. I don’t drink coffee in the morning, but I still feel really awful. One thing I like to do to get rid of that is wake up earlier. When I wake up early, I know that everything is quiet and calm and it’s just easier for me to get dressed. Also, I’m not in any sort of rush. I can relax for an hour or so before getting ready to leave the house, and I’m more likely to want to leave the house!
here’s my high-energy formula to stay in form all day long and have plenty of reserve when i get home to my family:
1. plenty of water. makes you eat less, so your system has to spent less energy on digestion. breaks the habit of drinking too much tea or coffee.
2. fruits for breakfast, raw vegetables for lunch and a regular but early dinner - with healthy snacks in between like raisins, almonds, dates, low fat yogurt.
3. being grateful. being happy for what you have. not taking anything for granted. happy to be alive and healthy. grateful for all the small things - water, food, clothes, job, car, sunlight, green lights and all the other great things in life. negative emotions drain your energy. positive emotions give you more power and joy.
Armen - Great, I hope you do subscribe!
AsiaBill - Thanks for the insight Bill. I’ve had a few slips here and there back into the caffeine hype, but I’ve found that I feel so much better without it. The need for the energy high is replaced with happiness, freedom, and energy from other things. Thanks for your kind words and I’m very happy you enjoy my blog.
Sarah - Very true! I’ve started getting up earlier just for that reason, also. I’ve found that I can accomplish the hardest tasks in the morning and it makes for a much easier and calmer day. Not to mention the beauty and calm of the morning.
mush - Fantastic formula. #3 is vital to having energy and happiness throughout your day. Too many times we take for granted the small things.
i’ve got you beat; i wake up at 4 a.m, my wife starts at 4:45 a.m. so i drive her to work.
I am dead every morning…and haven’t been drinking any caffeine lately.
How to have energy all day? 1) Marry someone rich or 2) win the lottery or 3) make a killing on the market or 4) …. almost anything that eliminates the necessity of devoting your time to mere survival or satisfying someone else’s needs. If you’re trying to get energized to stay awake for something that is alienating, all the clever ploys in the world won’t work.
You guys 4got about getting the right amount of sleep to.
Thanks 4 the list :D.