It’s Monday, a brand new week approaches, and let’s face it, getting out of bed isn’t exactly easy. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be a struggle. With just a few small changes in your diet, you can step onto the job site feeling energized, alert, and motivated stepping into the job. We all know that coffee is the “go-to” when it comes to waking up in the morning, but there are a few downsides to consuming large amounts of caffeine, such as nausea, headaches, or troubles with sleeping. Let’s talk about some healthy alternatives that will give you the same awareness and focus you’re looking for, without any of the downsides that caffeine brings.
Live Healthy, Live Happy
It’s important to know that caffeine in small doses isn’t necessarily a bad thing, so if you’re looking for a morning fix, a cup or two a day shouldn’t hurt you in the long run. Alternatively, here are a few other foods that will help boost your energy a well:
- Oranges: Citrus fruits have been shown to provide natural energy when you’re looking to wake up. Oranges take it one step further by being an excellent source of Vitamin C, which will help move oxygen up toward your brain and give you that extra quick boost.
- Bananas: This fruit is an excellent source of fiber and potassium, which will give you a gradual rise in energy throughout the day. Not only that, people who eat a banana a day have been proven to sleep more soundly at night, so you can get a better start on the next day!
- Fish: Eating fish will provide you with all the omega-3 fat you will need… and yes, you read that correctly. Omega-3 fat is actually a good type of fat, that helps take away that sluggish feeling you get by 2 o’clock in the afternoon, and protect your brain cells in the process.
- Avocados: Speaking of healthy fats, avocados are filled with monounsaturated fats. These are incredibly beneficial for your energy levels, because they are completely converted into energy, and not stored as unhealthy fat at all. Not only that, avocados are also rich in B-vitamins, which help both boost your mood and give you stable energy throughout the day.
- Chicken Noodle Soup: We all know and love chicken noodle soup on those days that we aren’t feeling 100%, but it’s also good to know the benefits of throwing it into your regular diet. Chicken noodle soup is a great combination of both fiber and protein, and will help you stay boosted and feel energized as well.
- Spinach: It may sound a bit cliché thanks to Popeye the Sailor Man, but spinach actually is a great source of energy. Spinach is full of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, and is sure to increase your energy levels overall.
- Watermelon: As mentioned earlier, B-vitamins are excellent for boosting your energy, and here’s a little known fact, watermelon is full of them. This tasty treat can be eaten normally, juiced, or even pureed for a tasty watermelon popsicle treat!
A Few Takeaways
When we say “takeaways,” we mean it quite literally. Now that you know what foods you can be adding to boost your energy levels throughout your week, let’s talk about a few things you can avoid to keep yourself from getting sluggish or drowsy.
First of all, when you wake up in the morning, try not to snooze your alarm, or you will be preparing yourself for a lazy and slow start right at the very beginning of your day. Also, try not to keep your blinds shut in the morning. Sunlight has a direct correlation with brain activity levels, so the sooner you get your eyes to open up, the better! Lastly, try not to skip breakfast in the morning. As we’ve all heard growing up, it’s the most important meal of the day!
“What else can I be doing for that extra boost?”
Don’t worry, we already thought about that, and here are a few more suggestions you can implement into your daily routine to get even more focus throughout your day. First off, be sure to drink plenty of water as the day goes on, because staying hydrated means keeping focused, and a glass of water at the beginning of the day can kick-start your metabolism and clear your head as well. Also, try to get exercising into your morning routine. It’s a great way to get your blood flowing early, and will actually provide steady energy throughout your entire day. You can also try finishing your exercise with a cold shower; we all know it’s awful, but it’s sure to wake you up. Lastly, if you really feel the need, turn up the music on your morning commute, and jam out to those tunes. It’ll be sure to put you in a positive mood, and make you more alert at the same time. Even if you incorporate just a few of these tips into your daily routine, you’ll surely have much more energy. Let’s focus people!