Even the best students encounter sleepless nights—but you don’t have to resort to the detrimental effects of caffeine. Read how you can get through your day with some caffeine alternatives.
As the winter season moves into full swing, finals week is just around the corner. It’s that time of year when high school students walk into class with heavy eyelids, desperately managing to grasp onto their grades for dear life. With the new stress that rolls in with the season, teenagers may be craving a quick jump-start in the morning to fuel their day from beginning to end. Often times the answer to that request lies in the form of a dark, bitter liquid—coffee, and lots of it.
While the energy-boosting effects of caffeinated drinks do seem like a quick fix for any case of fatigue, an excess amount of caffeine can, unfortunately, take a toll on a person’s health. Continuous consumption of caffeinated drinks, according to a study done by Mayo Clinic, continuous consumption can ultimately lead to increased levels of anxiety, high blood pressure, digestive problems as well as headaches. Not to mention, large amounts of caffeine eventually lead to a tolerance of the addictive substance, which is dangerous for people who are tempted to splurge on coffee multiple times a day. Before caving in to your caffeine desires, consider the healthier options available that may turn out to be equally as effective.
Prior to the coffee craze being adopted all around the world, the go-to beverage was actually a simple cup of tea. With the exceedingly wide variety of teas that are available, the benefits they can provide are almost endless. While some teas still do contain caffeine, it’s a much smaller amount when compared to coffee, and they have tons of antioxidants that keep your body fresh and feeling great. Acting as natural stress relievers, herbal teas such as ginseng actually work to enhance focus, concentration and memory—skills any student would be grateful to have. In the cold winter season, a cup of warm tea can be just as comforting as a cup of coffee.
Of course, there are a plethora of different energy-boosting methods to try out before or after an excruciatingly long homework session. But in actuality, there are several actions we should be taking to avoid daytime fatigue as a whole. Naturally, the first would be to get an adequate amount of sleep during the night, but as a student that seems almost impossible. Instead, other simple actions such as exercising and drinking water can be an easy fix to feeling lethargic. Taking short breaks to enjoy a walk outside may be just the thing needed to refresh the senses in the middle of the day. On top of that, a cold glass of lemon water in the morning is helpful in revitalizing the mind after a nights rest. Whatever method works for you, choosing to reduce your daily dose of caffeine can really make a difference—one that your body will thank you for.
spirited snacks
When in need of a small afternoon pick-me-up, don’t turn to sugary snacks that leave you feeling lethargic after a few hours of energy. Instead, look to healthier alternatives that can keep you feeling invigorated for an entire day. Dark chocolate is one option that, when consumed in moderation, can give you a small boost of alertness in the middle of your schedule. Additionally, foods high in whole grains, such as oatmeal or granola bars like the KIND Crunchy Peanut Butter Bar, fuel the body up with the carbohydrates necessary for adequate stamina. And of course, fruits that are high in Vitamin C, such as oranges or strawberries, give you enough sugar for a quick energy boost, but won’t leave you to crash and burn as a candy bar would.
Chicory Root tea
For those who love the classic coffee morning routine, roasted chicory root tea may be the way to go. When steeped in hot water, the rich, dark flavor of the root actually mimics the warm brown liquid in taste and color. Not to mention the surprising number of health benefits that comes with consuming chicory root—boosted immunity, decreased inflammation, and improved digestive health being some of the most important. In order to make this benign beverage, pre-ground chicory root is your best bet. Steep the grounds in hot water, add your preferred sweetener and it’s ready to serve. If you’re trying to cut down on caffeine, but don’t want to give up the sensation of drinking coffee, chicory root tea could be the alternative you’ve been looking for.