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Some days, you may feel like you need 10 cups of coffee to function. Sure, coffee can give you a temporary boost, but there are other, natural ways to get an energy boost and feel more alert.
1.) Apples. When you’re tired, you might get a craving for sugar. Stay away! Eating a sugary snack will only lead to a crash later on. However, eating an apple will appease your sweet tooth and give you a steady sugar boost. Plus, it’s healthy!
2.) Stretching. Certain yoga poses can help re-energize you and can easily be done in the workplace. Try doing a forward fold next time you’re tired. Just stand up and bend forward. Touch the floor if you can, but if you can’t, that’s fine too. Hold it for 20-30 seconds. This pose will get your blood circulating and flowing to your head, which will make you feel more awake and alert.
3.) Take a walk. I know it can be hard to take a walk break when you work eight hours a day, but at least try to take a five minute walk every hour. If you don’t have time to exercise in the evening, at least you got in 40 minutes of walking while you were at work! This gives you a chance to get outside and be in the sun, which will instantly make you feel better.
4.) Exercise. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity five days a week. Not only is exercise important for your general well being, it will help you sleep better which means you’ll be less tired on a daily basis. Furthermore, some days you may feel too tired to work out, but exercising will instantly wake you up. Try exercising in the morning before work for a week to see what effect it has on you.
5.) Stay hydrated. Sometimes you feel tired because you’re actually dehydrated. According to Active.com, “Dehydration leads to fatigue because it impacts the flow of oxygen to the brain and causes your heart to work harder to pump oxygen to all
your bodily organs, making you more tired and less alert.” Invest in a big, BPA-free, water bottle to bring to work and make sure you’re drinking enough throughout the day. This water bottle is currently on my Amazon wish list. 🙂
6.) Stop drinking coffee. Sure, coffee will wake you up, and you may even drink a cup every morning. That’s fine. But keep in mind that if you’re drinking coffee in the afternoon, it may be affecting your sleep, which leads to fatigue the next day. Try not drinking coffee past 3-4 p.m.
7.) Chew gum. No coffee on hand? Have a stick of mint gum. (This Simply Gum looks pretty great but I haven’t tried it yet) The minty flavor and smell may help you wake up. If you can’t chew gum, try having some mint tea or lighting a minty candle.
These are just a few natural ways you can help yourself feel energized throughout the day. Next time you feel tired at work, try one of these before reaching for that Red Bull or 5 Hour Energy!
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