There are plenty of reasons why many people want to drink coffee or similar caffeinated beverages, and these include increased energy and improved focus. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of caffeine loses over time. Whether you're sending your kids to school, commuting from your home to workplace, and vice versa, responding to never-ending emails, or attending meetings, you'll certainly need another energy boost in the middle of your tough workday.
However, giving yourself an energy boost doesn't mean drinking another cup of coffee. Below are the six caffeine alternatives you can try to give you a natural dose of energy during midday.
1. Tea
Typically, tea is somewhat similar to coffee due to its caffeine content. Thus, if you want to break the habit of regularly drinking coffee, you may want to consider tea as an alternative option. Just like coffee, drinking tea can help you get the energy boost you need in the middle of the day. It contains the amino acid L-theanine, which is responsible for stimulating the brain and increasing mental focus.
For example, if you need energy to complete all your tasks, you can have a cup of tea in the office to ensure you remain productive throughout the day. In addition to giving additional supply of energy for mental focus, tea is also rich in antioxidants that can help combat chronic diseases, including cancer.
2. Nuts
Another natural source of energy is nuts. When you're feeling midday tiredness, you can consume a handful of raw or sprouted nuts to help you stay active and productive throughout the day. Apart from healthy fat and protein, nuts contain a mineral called magnesium, which can also help maintain energy. Whether it's almonds, cashews, or hazelnuts, these types of nuts can be a great substitute for drinking coffee for some energy boosting effects.
3. Nootropics
If you're looking for a great caffeine alternative, nootropics, specifically the phenylpiracetam, can also be a viable option. Generally, nootropics are natural or synthetic products that are designed to boost energy to improve mental performance. Not only that, but if you need energy for better physical performance in sports, you can also use some nootropics to keep your energy levels to the optimum throughout the day.
However, if you want to ensure you can effectively substitute caffeine with nootropics, like phenylpiracetam, for a midday energy boost, then it's a good idea to read the entire article so you'll know what you're up to.
4. Water
Typically, midday tiredness can't only be resolved by consuming caffeine. Although coffee or any other caffeinated beverages can provide you with the energy needed to cope with the demands of the entire day, a caffeine alternative like water should also be one of your choices.
For example, if you're suffering from mild dehydration and struggling with fatigue, your energy level becomes low and, in turn, affects your productivity at work or whatever task at hand. Hence, be sure to drink plenty of water so you'll end up boosting your energy after that. Also, if you want to avoid energy gap in the middle of the day, start with a glass of water combined with some lemon.
5. Leafy Greens
Eating greens can also give a natural supply of energy, which is why they're also considered as a caffeine alternative for boosting energy levels. Generally, dark leafy greens, such as spinach, chard, and kale are rich in essential B-vitamins, which can help your body turn nutrients to energy.
Moreover, consuming leafy greens allows you to get a sufficient supply of iron necessary for delivering oxygen to your bloodstream, which is also necessary for boosting energy levels. Although the effect doesn't happen right away, eating them on a daily basis can help you avoid fatigue or exhaustion.
6. Healthy Snacks
Aside from nuts, there are also snack ideas that can help increase energy levels. For instance, you can consume Greek yogurt, hard boiled eggs, a bowl of raw veggies, and many more. These snack ideas are rich in healthy fats, protein, and complex carbohydrates.
In addition, the more you eat these healthy snacks as a caffeine alternative, the more you get the necessary nutrients that can give you a stable amount of energy and keep your hunger in control in the middle of today.
Bottom Line
Generally, there's nothing wrong with sipping a cup of coffee or other caffeinated beverages if you want an energy boost. But, in the event you're feeling midday tiredness or fatigue and want a quick pick-me-up, you may want to try some alternatives mentioned above. By consuming some or all of them, you may find out that they work as good or better than your favorite coffee when it comes to increasing your energy levels.
