How to wake up without coffee

As much as coffee has absolute health benefits like antioxidants, caffeine can launch you into a vicious cycle that may eventually fatigue you. Caffeine is a stimulant to your adrenal glands, and will make you feel ‘awake’ and ‘energised’ for a short period. PHOTO/FILE

What you need to know:

  • Has it become so difficult to have high energy levels without taking a latte or an espresso? As much as coffee has absolute health benefits like antioxidants, caffeine can launch you into a vicious cycle that may eventually fatigue you.
  • Inevitably, you feel dehydrated and sluggish. Your body requires water to continue body processes and compensate for the time you were asleep.

Do you struggle to be active in the morning or wake up without that cup of coffee?

Has it become so difficult to have high energy levels without taking a latte or an espresso? As much as coffee has absolute health benefits like antioxidants, caffeine can launch you into a vicious cycle that may eventually fatigue you.

Caffeine is a stimulant to your adrenal glands, and will make you feel ‘awake’ and ‘energised’ for a short period.

However, the grumpy, down feeling comes back immediately your liver is done with metabolising the caffeine. The vicious cycle begins all over again, which is how your cup of coffee has become an addiction.

But are there healthy ways you can “wake your body” and be energetic without the benefit of caffeine?

Every day when you wake up, you obviously have gone at least six to eight hours without water.

PICK YOURSELF UP

Inevitably, you feel dehydrated and sluggish. Your body requires water to continue body processes and compensate for the time you were asleep.

Start your day by taking at least a glass of water immediately you wake up to avoid continued sluggishness. Alternatively, have a cup of herbal tea with a little lemon to restore your digestive process.

Exercising is another excellent way of picking yourself up and getting your blood to flow. It really does not have to be rigorous.

It can be a simple 30-minute aerobic session from a home workout video or a brisk walk to work. Exercise stimulates serotonin production that helps in promoting your mood and starting your day with a smile.

As is the habit of many, do not skip breakfast. I know it is hard to find the time to sit down and eat, but try to wake up at least 30 minutes to one hour earlier to prepare breakfast or warm some food from the previous night.

Avoid the habit of eating “something” in the morning. By this, I mean the three slices of bread and a cup of tea or the one huge mandazi and some black tea.

These will spike your sugar levels for just two hours, after which you will feel super hungry and sluggish again. Instead, eat breakfast like a king for you to “wake up” fully.

If you feel it is still difficult to let go of the taste of coffee, sipping on some herbal coffee can ease the transition.

Herbal coffee supports your digestive system by improving metabolism and helping your liver to detox. This helps you avoid the vicious, sluggish cycle caused by heavily caffeinated coffee.