Arguably the most valuable asset that anyone has is their time. Between long work hours, a hectic personal life, and a general lack of free time, many people are resorting to energy drinks to give them a pickup.
Demand for energy drinks has skyrocketed as of late, as more and more people are becoming reliance on one or more products to get them through their day. Due to lack of sleep, and a desire to be more productive these types of drinks are becoming more and more common among people.
Many of these drinks rely on caffeine and sugar to provide an energy boost and while these effects are pronounced, they are only temporary.
While these types of drinks can be great in a pinch, becoming relying on them can have a negative impact on your health. Caffeine addiction is a reel and common problem that many people have, although many of them may be unaware of it.
Consuming too much caffeine can cause common issues such as nervousness, anxiety, and can potentially disrupt our sleeping habits. Another thing to consider here is that caffeine is a stimulant which also increases our blood pressure and increases our heartbeat temporarily; which may be an issue for people who have cardiovascular issues.
How Can I Keep My Energy Levels High Without Caffeine?
Many people are relying on caffeinated beverages such as coffee and tea to get them through their day, yet there are other ways in which someone can maintain a high energy level throughout the day without the need for these types of products.
In order to be able to do so it is in our best interest of first understand why we are suffering from low energy levels, so we can take the appropriate action to correct the problem. Outside of lack of sleep which is another common problem many people suffer from, low energy levels are usually due to either dehydration or low blood sugar.
One thing you could do to help better maintain steady blood sugar levels is to eat more meals throughout the day in smaller portions. No matter what type of meal you eat, even if it is one that contains the healthiest foods, the body’s blood sugar levels are going to drop 3-4 hours after consumption of said meal.
If you’re one of the many people who finds themselves creating a snack an hour or two before your workday is over, you can blame your physiology and how the body regulates its blood sugar levels.
Instead of heading to the vending machine for a mid-afternoon snack, you should look to grab a snack such as a handful of almonds, or some low sodium beef jerky for a meal with a better nutritional profile which will also hold you over for a longer period of time.
You can check your blood sugar levels easily which is a failsafe way to determine whether not this is the issue. If your blood sugar levels and not the issue than more than likely the issue has to do with dehydration.
We have to remember that’s the vast majority of our body is made up of water, and when we are dehydrated its slows down virtually the entire body as a result. Being dehydrated can also make you feel fatigued and tired, which many people are unaware of.
The most obvious solution years to drink more water, however many people fail to do so until they’re ready reached the point of dehydration. If you’re feeling thirsty, than your body is already experiencing the effects of dehydration.
A better way to detect whether not you are dehydrated although it may sound gross, is to keep an eye on the color of your urine. The lighter the color is, the more hydrated you are so drink more water as needed.