How To Survive The Day With No Caffeine

The coffee scene in Austin is booming. Cafes seem to line the streets, and with the matcha tea and energy drink industries growing alongside it, it is rare to see someone in Austin without a caffeinated beverage in their hand.

But, as fun as it is to run your errands with a coffee in your hand, consumption of caffeine has more risks than rewards. Anxiety, distractability, insomnia, and increased blood pressure and heart rate all lurk beneath the facade of adorably packaged energy drinks. Despite these threats, many of us drink caffeine solely because we are reliant upon it for energy.

Today, we’ll give you the rundown of the best ways to stay energized throughout the day without sacrificing your health and focus.

Getting Enough Sleep

For energy in the day time, you need to recharge at night. Seven hours of sleep or more is standard for adults, but some people say that it takes 9-10 to feel truly refreshed. While this might seem like obvious advice, many do not take it. With the average bedtime of college students being a whopping 2:00 AM, getting enough sleep at night is essential for being able to take on the day.

Next time you want to be extra focused, try going to bed a few hours earlier than you normally would the night before. To help yourself fall asleep, you can try avoiding blue light for 30 minutes before your bedtime or taking a natural supplement like a small dosage of melatonin or magnesium. Take note of how much better you feel the next day, even without your morning cup of coffee!

Eating Throughout The Day

Food provides us with all of the energy we need to get through the day, no additional caffeine required. Eating 3 clean, balanced meals a day with occasional healthy snacks nourishes your body while it fuels it.

Whole and nutrient dense foods like leafy vegetables, salmon, seeds, nuts, grains, and berries are some of your best options for boosting your brain power while satisfying your hunger as well.

The act of eating itself provides energy to the body, so even if you don’t have access to a nutritious treat, try eating something rather than immediately opting for caffeine next time you’re tired.

Exercise

A 2021 study from Harvard University on how exercise affects your energy levels states that movement energizes your body down to a cellular level, with research suggesting that working out boosts your cells’ production of mitochondria. Exercise also increases the levels of endorphins in your brain, reducing stress and giving you the euphoric sense of calmness that you need to tackle the day.

Try running, walking, weight training, or pilates for beginner-friendly fitness that your body will thank you for.

With fitness being another rapidly growing activity in Texas, you can use a workout class or fitness club as a caffeine replacement that also includes the element of connectedness that you feel from going out for coffee with friends or colleagues.

Alternative Beverages

A big part of why I used to drink caffeine is because I like to have a fun drink with me while I’m out for the day, just like every other girl I know.

But, fun doesn’t have to mean jeopardizing your health.

A drink like a berry smoothie can satisfy the urge to carry around a cup of coffee while stimulating your brain with natural sugars. Drinking enough water is also a big factor in your energy levels, so maximizing your water intake will keep you alert and also hydrated. Kombucha is an interesting option due to its’ content of L-theanine, which gives you clean, safe energy without the crash.

Matcha is also an option for a fix of L-theanine, though it does contain small amounts of caffeine. But, with the average cup of coffee containing 100-200 milligrams of caffeine and a glass of matcha containing 40-80 milligrams, matcha is definitely the safer option.

Final Thoughts

Coffee is a big part of many of our lives. It is so much more than just a drink—coffee is a tool that we as a culture use to connect with each other and strengthen our bonds. While the occasional cup with a friend over chatting and catching up won’t hurt, it is always critical to remember the possible dangers of drinking excessive amounts of caffeine.

Now more than ever is the time to be mindful about your consumption, as drinks that may seem innocent actually contain north of 200 milligrams of caffeine per can.

So, next time you wake up feeling like you need to drink the entire pot of coffee, try one or more of these helpful tips for cleaner, lasting energy!