Many of us are walking around in some state of sleep-deprivation: heavy eyelids, shuffling of the feet, grunts instead of words. Sometimes it’s even in the form of a slight nod-off while you’re driving to work. I’m sure you can relate.
Even though people know energy drinks aren’t good for them, I doubt the true extent of the dangers are widely known.
Some people live in a state of denial just because they are desperate for a jolt of energy to be able to make it through the day and wouldn’t know how to cope otherwise.
The true cost of the 5-hour fix is a lot more than the $3-$6 you’ll pay at the store. It’s a gamble, every time you pop the top or take a swig.
Luckily, there are many healthier alternatives that can boost energy levels.
Today, I’m sharing 3 of my strategies to amp up energy levels throughout the day.
As someone who has had sleep issues for as long as I can remember, I lived in a sleep-deprived fog for many years. Since this was long before I knew how important food is, I really had no tools to help get me out of the haze. So, I turned to the local 7-11 for answers.
There was a brief point in my life when I lived off energy drinks… the bigger the can, the better. It was brief because, even before the dire warnings were released about the potential side-effects, my body was experiencing the side-effects first-hand.
Between the flushing in my face, the racing of my heart, and the headache from crashing later, I knew I was poisoning myself. So, what to do? I couldn’t go back to being a zombie.
Enter the next addiction: coffee.
Two years ago, I never dreamed that I would willingly give up coffee in the morning. Nowadays, I limit my coffee and treat it as a special occasion. Granted, sometimes that special occasion might be that I’m at Publix and my favorite barista is there, but still, it is an occasion.
My morning now starts off with a cup of warm lemon water followed up by a cup of organic green tea with cinnamon, lemon juice and ginger.
These two things have become a game-changer for me. I don’t have the typical caffeine rush, but I also don’t have the crash that follows. A much healthier and less expensive version of the typical energy drinks for sure.
As I go through the day, I continue the energy boost by staying hydrated with fresh lemon and filtered water.
It never ceases to amaze me how I can go from tired to refreshed in a matter of minutes with some life sustaining water.
I saved my best tip for last: If you haven’t heard about MCT oil yet, then you’re in for a treat.
MCT oil is short for medium chain triglycerides and is basically the superhero of the fat world, leaving its cousin, coconut oil, in the dust. It is also known for its amazing energy-boosting properties.
The fat from MCT oil doesn’t get metabolized through the digestive system, but instead goes straight to the liver where it’s immediately converted into energy. The brain also gets a healthy dose of ketones produced from the fat and boosts brain productivity.
How many of us could use some of that on those never-ending afternoons?
MCT oil comes in liquid form, has no flavor, and can be taken on its own or used in things like coffee or cooking. This type of fat is helpful to people who may have a hard time digesting other forms of fat.
I do want to warn you that MCT oil needs to be introduced slowly as it can cause some digestive upset in larger doses. I worked my way up to 2 tablespoons daily, one teaspoon at a time.
If you don’t ease into it, you may find yourself stuck in the bathroom… But at least you’ll be wide awake.
