6 Non-Caffeinated Ways to Get Energy

I used to be a big, caffeinated soda drinker.  In my prime soda-drinking days I was guzzling 5-6 cans of diet Pepsi a day.  My doctor kept counseling me to ween myself off that “poison.’  (His word not mine.)  He told me a lot of my joint pain and my sleep disruption is directly related to my caffeine consumption.   So about 2 years ago I detoxed from it caffeine.

You’d think that I’d immediately begin to feel better, but I didn’t.  What I experienced was a lack of get-up-and-go.  I finally complained to my doctor that without my Pepsi, life was exhausting.  I told him I found it harder to concentrate, my patience was thin, and my frustration level was high even with the simplest tasks.  It was also hard to feel any enthusiasm for activities I used to love.

If this is starting to sound familiar, take heart. Energy zappers are all around us, some obvious, some hidden. The good news: There is a way around almost all of them.

I’m always trying to find ways to get an energy lift, so during the no-caffeine periods I’ve experimented with alternative ways to do so.

Drink More Water

I already knew that it's easy to confuse signals of hunger with thirst (we think we need food when we really need water).  But my doctor told that thirst can also masquerade as fatigue?  He said even slight dehydration could leave me feeling tired and lethargic.  Now I make sure I get at least 36 oz. of water every day.

Take My Vitamins in the Afternoon

My doctor suggested taking my vitamins (plus a B12 and iron supplement) in the afternoon.  Like most of us, I used to take my vitamins in the morning.  He explained that not really when my body needs it.  I need them when my natural vitality starts to fade.  So now when my energy starts to drain in the afternoon, I take my vitamins.  They aid with stamina.

Don’t Skip Breakfast (or Any Other Meal)

My doctor said studies show that people who eat breakfast report being in a better mood, and have more energy throughout the day.  It gives your body a jolt of fuel for the rest of the day.  He advised me to eat smaller meals and add snacks especially those rich in magnesium.  I’ve found snacks are actually perfection for slumps.

Nuts make a simple magnesium-rich snack.  I often eat a handful of nuts around the 3 PM dead zone when I take my vitamins.  I especially enjoy almonds, hazelnuts or cashews.

Walk Around the Block

While it may seem as if moving about when you feel exhausted is the quickest route to feeling more exhausted, the opposite is true.  My doctor (and other experts) say that increasing physical activity—particularly walking—increases energy.

I like walking because it's accessible, easy to do, doesn't need training or equipment and I can do it anywhere.  I found a brisk 10-minute walk increases energy and lifts my mood.

Go outside

Studies have found that being outside in nature makes people feel more alive.  And that sense of increased vitality exists above and beyond the energizing effects of physical activity.  Just 20 minutes outdoors is enough.  Head into the great outdoors—even if some woods aren't nearby, a green park will do.  Don’t forget your SPF!

Laugh

Laughter is a proven stress-buster, but studies suggest laughing can boost energy levels, too. (Feel free to use this as permission to go on YouTube for the next 30 minutes.)

These changes didn't happen over night.  It has been gradual.  I'm not going to say I haven't had a caffeinated drink in the last two years but it is so infrequent that I can count the times on one hand.  Am I feeling better?  Yes!  Do I have more energy?  Yes!   I sleep better, I concentrate better, and I'm happier.  I’m all about feeling as energized as possible.  I recommend it to everyone.

What tips do you have?  Please share!