I have no doubt that many of you reading this right now, rely on your morning coffee to start the day. In fact, I'm sure there are many of you that cannot physically do a single work related thing until you're sitting pretty with a hot cuppa.
I know this, because I used to be one of you.
I won't lie, now and then I slip back in to my old ways and grab the coffee pot instead of the green tea. But after I started having bad reactions to coffee, such as an abnormally high heart rate that would send me in to shakes and hot sweats by 2pm every day, I thought it might be best to kick the habit.
Coffee can be your friend, as it is rich in antioxidants, and has the potential to fight diabetes, but the cons to me outweigh these. Heart disease, cholesterol, blood pressure, blood vessels, heart rhythm, sleep, dehydration, and our friend, dependence. I say, move on to something else.
But how was I to function? How would I switch my mind on every day and write creatively without my morning friend?
There appeared to be only one solution. I would simply end our relationship. It had to be done.
"Coffee, it's not you, it's me. No actually, it's you".Surely there were other ways that would energise me just as coffee does?
So after some research, trial, error, highs, lows and in-betweenies, I have for you my best 8.
1. Good old fashioned exerciseMuch to the dismay of my partner, my alarm goes off at 3:30am at least 3 mornings a week. Now if someone had told me 10 years ago that this is what I would be doing right now, I would have been in a large amount of shock. 3:30am is ludicrous. Okay maybe it is, but I do this because the morning
is the best time to workout, and usually my 24 hour gym is empty at this time. So it's the best wake up, and the best way to start the day. It's like your own personal gym.
Apart from the fact that you're done and dusted by 5am, before the day has even begun, there are even more benefits. Like, your metabolism is jump started, and keeps it elevated for hours, sometimes even 24 hours which means you're burning calories all day long. Not only that, you'll feel energised all day. Now that's better than a cup of coffee.
Image appears courtesy of Wikipedia
2. Go to bed earlier
I know, but you need to watch the point scoring on the Eurovision Song Contest. Sorry, you'll be up until midnight with that one, and that's just not enough rest after the big day you've had.
Try and get a good solid 8 hours sleep each night, you'll feel the benefits the next day and you'll look much brighter for it.
3. Your diet
Scoffing down the wrong foods may make you feel great to start with, but it will only leave you feeling sluggish. By putting the right things in your body, you'll wake up feeling more energised. Simple as that. You'll feel fresh and bright, and ready to slap away any sneaky lattes that try and edge their way in to your morning.
4. Blend it
No, not like a Boost Juice. Sure it can seem like a healthy option, and some of their shakes are, but only some. Many of them are just packed with sugar, giving you a short term 'boost', only to leave you needing a coffee 3 hours later.
There are so many other different and great tasting combinations that will give you the best zing ever. And made at home all natural, they're better for you. Check out the shakes on
MrBreakfast.com. They're all amazing. So get blending.
5. Water
Take a cold shower, splash your face with it, just make sure it's cold. That's
gotta get you started.
6. Music
A favourite of mine. Why not start the day with a bit of 'Eye of the Tiger'. Or better still, 'Jump Around'? Pop an iPod in your dock while you're getting ready, and dance a little bit. It will boost your mood, and give you a good time. A better time than you ever had with coffee.
7. Green Tea
Green Tea will give you a natural boost, and refresh your mind and body. I rely on this more than coffee, because I actually feel soothed while also feeling energized. It doesn't send my heart in to unhealthy palpitations, and I don't feel low 1 hour later.
8. Vitamin B12
It's no secret the most common benefit of B12 will boost ones energy level and speed up metabolism. Natural sources include: yoghurt, organic eggs, fish, lamb, almonds or walnuts. Or, you can take it in a pill form each morning.
So with that in mind, get your alarms set, your blenders out from storage and you're iPod loaded.
You'll thank me later.
