Are you finding that your 3 cups of coffees are leaving your nerves a bit frayed at the edges? Sing it, sister…me too.
Today, give your adrenal glands a break by going caffeine-free. Yes, you heard me right…step away from the coffee machine, just for one day, 24 hours…and see if it works for you.
Here are 8 super simple tips that’ll give you a caffeine-free energy boost, so you can blast through your to-do list like a superhero. An un-caffeinated one.
1. chew a piece of gum
Research has shown that people who chew gum for 15 minutes feel more alert. Chewing gum increases your heart rate and boosts concentration. Studies have shown that peppermint flavor is particularly effective because the scent can boost memory and processing speeds. (TIP: it goes without saying, no chewing gum in front of clients, in meetings and/or on-site at your client events.)
2. give yourself a massage
Don’t worry, NO stripping down in the office required. We’re talking about acupressure. Try massaging the top of your ears for :30 seconds to get some energy flowing through your body. Massaging your hand between your thumb and forefinger should give you a energy boost, too. Go on, try it…no one is watching you right now. Nice, eh?
3. get out in the sun
Artificial light has nothing on natural sunlight. Just take 10 minutes to get outside and feel that sun on your skin. You’ll get a top up of vitamin D and a boost your serotonin levels which improve your mood. Set a timer on your phone, in case you’re worried about time…trust me, even 10 minutes does WONDERS for your well-being.
4. get moving
Pull a Pomodoro and work solid for the next 25 minutes…then, take a 5 minute break from your desk and do anything that gets your heart pumping. Go for a walk, go up and down the stairs, maybe some jumping jacks and do some stretching. Anything that gets your heart pumping and your body moving. No spandex required…just get up and get moving.
5. listen to music
Listen to something upbeat that makes you want to wake up – my personal favorite (and guilty pleasure) is Taylor Swift. Check out our productivity playlists if “Shake it Off” isn’t your thing. You can even combine this with tip No. 4 and dance along, but you might get some weird looks in the office…
6. try aromatherapy
We’ve already mentioned peppermint but other essential oils like lemon, lime and grapefruit can help wake you up and boost your energy too. You can spray it on your wrists or spritz the room. Just check with your colleagues first as some people’s noses are way, way more sensitive than others, especially in a shared office space!
7. tidy up
This is usually what I do when I’m procrastinating, but taking a few minutes to clear and organize your workspace can give you that mental boost you need to get through the day. You’ll feel so much more motivated and clear headed – trust us! (TIP: but don’t forget, stay on-task…again, set a timer of 5 minutes tops and when it rings, it’s done…don’t get stuck in the perfectionist’s trap of now spending 4 hours making your desk absolutely perfect/immaculate/amazing/OMG/wow and then not tackle your to-do list. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt.)
8. stay hydrated
Dehydration causes fatigue. FACT.
You might think caffeine is the only thing that is going to get you back on track but sometimes all you need is a big glass of water. Keep a jug by your desk or set alarms on your phone to remind you to get up and fill up your glass.
Bonus: staying hydrated will also help stop you lose weight by stopping you from snacking because our bodies often mistake thirst for hunger which leads to overeating.
More energy AND weight loss with hardly any effort? It’s a no brainer.
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