Some days making
it from 9 to 5 can seem unfathomable- nearly impossible; especially without my morning cup of joe. My love affair with coffee
is somewhat of a love-hate relationship. I love coffee; my body hates anything
after the third cup. Coffee isn’t so much about the caffeine for me as it is
about the ritual. Getting to work, powering up my computer, mixing my coffee
while I mentally prepare myself for whatever my day has in store, and nursing
my soul through the morning with cup after cup of rich, nutty, piping hot (or
in the summer months, frosty cold) coffee. But I get to about eleven am and I lose all focus, my knees and hands start shaking, and I scarf down some sort of food and fast, so I don't keel over.
I haven’t quite mastered the coffee rush.
So, I’ve painstakingly learned when to cut myself off. And even though I manage to escape the faint feelings, I lose a little bit of steam, and after lunch it’s all down-hill from there. With that, I’ve come up with some decaffeinated tricks to battle my coffee urges, all the while increasing my energy levels.
I haven’t quite mastered the coffee rush.
So, I’ve painstakingly learned when to cut myself off. And even though I manage to escape the faint feelings, I lose a little bit of steam, and after lunch it’s all down-hill from there. With that, I’ve come up with some decaffeinated tricks to battle my coffee urges, all the while increasing my energy levels.
7 Tips For Decreasing Your Caffeine Consumption While Maintaining Your Energy
1. Eat a nutritious, filling
breakfast
2 2. Don’t just eat breakfast, but eat smaller
Eating big meals is what America is all about. Making sure we eat three meals a day is an ideal we’ve all grown up on. However, we’re all familiar with that lethargic feeling that accompanies large meals. I’ve made it a habit to eat about five or six small meals throughout the day. It helps me avoid the sleepiness, but also makes me feel wonderful spiritually- who isn’t happy when they get to eat all day long?
3 3. Schedule your most grueling work for the morning
Humans naturally
retain their highest energy levels in the morning hours, so powering through
your toughest (or most boring) work in the AM can help make the rest of your
day more productive.
4 4. Turn down the temperature
Under normal circumstances,
this suggestion would be the farthest from my mind considering I always feel
cold. However, I have noticed that I’m much more alert when I’m a little bit
chilly. The heat naturally contributes to lethargy, and even though it might
feel nice to be in a toasty office, the cool air is better at keeping us awake.
5 5. Let there be light
This probably goes
without saying, but light even in unnatural forms makes us feel more alert and
helps increase productivity. Our bodies naturally respond to light, and when it’s
dark out our bodies start to think that it’s nap time. If like me you aren’t
blessed with a window nearby, invest in a decent desk-lamp.
6 6. Disrupt yourself
I start to feel to the sleepiest when I’m working on
a project for a long stretch of time. So instead of trying to stick it out and make it through the project, I switch
gears. Taking a break from one task and working on a quick project in between
can help reboot our brains a little bit. And I always feel a bit more
accomplished when I can cross little things off my list.
7 7. Nap
Now, don’t get me
wrong; I’m not suggesting you lay your head down on your keyboard and take a
little afternoon siesta while the rest of the office is slaving away. But most
jobs generally allow you to take a couple breaks throughout the day. So instead
of sitting in the kitchen or chatting it up with a coworker when you’re feeling
exhausted, maybe sit outside or head to your car and take a ten to fifteen
minute cat nap. Even taking naps at home on the weekends or during a busy
evening can help you feel better rested throughout the rest of the week.
Sources:
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