Americans sure do love coffee. In fact, more than 80 percent of us consume the stuff on a regular basis. Because the beverage is so ubiquitous—and its addicts so vocal—it can feel like coffee is the only means of starting your days with energy.
But I’m here to tell you that there is another way—several of them, in fact.
Whether you’re a caffeine addict who’s looking to ditch the habit, you don’t like the taste of coffee but want a morning jolt, or you could simply use a little more pep in your step each morning, the following strategies will power you up without the mug full o’ joe.
Drink up.
Instead of reaching for that pot of coffee in the morning, opt for a tall glass of water. Dehydration can cause fatigue, headaches, and mental fuzziness. (Sounds a bit like caffeine withdrawal, doesn’t it?) For this reason, getting hydrated is a great way to perk up at any time of the day. For best results, remember to drink water all day long and not just in the morning.
Get outside.
Even a short stroll around the block can provide you with a lasting energy boost. Going outdoors is an effective wake-up strategy for two reasons: For starters, moving around gets your heart rate up, which alerts your body that it’s time to perk up. Additionally, exposure to natural light has been shown to reduce brain fog and increase mental alertness.
Work out.
Lacing up your sneakers might seem like the last thing you want to do right after rolling out of bed. But the energy payoff is well worth it. The feel-good endorphins released during exercise provide a major energy boost. As an added bonus, exercise has also been shown to reduce stress and anxiety and increase positive mood—so by stepping onto the track or elliptical, you’ll literally be starting your day off on the right foot.
Hit the showers.
After you’ve taken a short stroll or finished up an intense workout, you’re going to want a shower. Piece of advice? Make it a cold one. Research suggests that taking a cold shower can reduce stress and increase mental alertness. If you’re apprehensive about the whole thing, ease into it by splashing cool water on your face before letting the rest of your body enjoy a hot shower.
Eat (or drink) your greens.
We all know it’s important to eat breakfast, and this is especially true if you want to start your day off with fuel in the tank. But what you eat is almost as important as whether you eat. If you scarf down a sugary donut in the car on your way to work, you’re in for an energy crash later in the morning. In contrast, eating a breakfast that contains healthy protein, fat, and veggies can provide you with stable energy that lasts all morning long. If you’re strapped for time, consider consuming your greens in liquid form via our Spruce Energizing Whole Greens. Eating for energy has never been easier.
So there you have it: It is possible to get energized in the morning without downing a whole pot of coffee. If you’ve been looking to reduce or eliminate caffeine from your life, simply turn to these morning pick-me-ups instead.
