I am a coffee lover. There’s no denying that. But there are many days I hit a slump in the afternoon and I really can’t bring myself to drink another cup of coffee. That is when I turn to some surprisingly simple, caffeine-free alternatives, that still put a little pep in my step.
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1. Wash Your Face
Splashing your face with cold water and a little facial scrub really leaves your skin feeling fresh and awake. Following that with a moisturizer will add some long lasting hydration.
2. Facial Massage
I was a little skeptical when I first read about this on my sister’s blog, but if you check out the video she shared and try just a couple techniques, it is amazing how much better your face feels. It releases toxins that build up, relieves stress and increases blood flow. It’s addicting.
3. Stretch
Just 3-5 minutes of stretching is a really nice way to consciously assess each part of your body and give it a little wake up call. You can simple search YouTube for stretch videos if you aren’t sure where to begin. There are tons!
4. Breathe deeply
Part of why we yawn to begin with is because our body is not receiving enough oxygen. It is amazing how much better I feel if I take the time to focus on some slow, deep breathing for a few minutes.
5. Increase Your Heart Rate
This is actually simple. Just doing 25-50 jumping jacks is an easy way to get your heart pumping faster and give you a little jolt. Jumping rope is also great.
6. Drink Ice Water With Lemon
Ice cold water is refreshing on its own and citrus is very awakening.
7. Citrus Essential Oil
Citrus naturally improves mental clarity. Grapefruit is my happy elixir and I could bathe in that scent. Try lemon, grapefruit, lime, or tangerine essential oil. Sometimes I rub a small amount on my temples and just below my nose so I can smell it. You can diffuse it through the whole house if you own a diffuser.
8. Pull Your Hair Back
Maybe it’s just me? I might be weird. But I legitimately feel more awake and ready to take stuff on when I pull my hair back into a ponytail and then add a stretchy headband to keep the fly-aways back. Maybe it’s cause I look like a jogger at that point, so the workout vibe is giving me energy, but I’m telling you, try it. It tightens your face and opens your eyes up.
9. Upbeat Music
This might be second nature, but it’s worth mentioning. Create a playlist of upbeat tunes that make you want to dance. It will put a smile on your face and make the world feel more alive. Better When I’m Dancing by Meghan Trainor always puts a pep in my step and my kids love it too.
10. Brush Your Teeth
It may be a random time of the day, but do it. The peppermint in your toothpaste is another naturally awakening scent, and there is just something about freshly scrubbed teeth and minty breath that invigorates.
Give these a try!
What do you do to wake up after coffee has found its limits?
