Perk up – without caffeine
Do you rely on caffeine to keep you going?
According to the National Institutes of Health, 8 out of 10 adults consume some form of caffeine. This chemical can perk us up and give us energy, but what other ways does it affect us?
Our bodies naturally produce adenosine, the NIH says, which builds up in our system throughout the day and causes us to feel tired near the end of the day. Caffeine blocks adenosine from reaching our brains, preventing us from becoming sleepy.
Learn to stay alert without caffeine by following these tips from the NIH:
- Make sure you’re getting enough sleep. The National Sleep Foundation recommends adults get seven to nine hours of sleep a night to feel rested.
- Stay hydrated. Drinking water can help you stay alert.
- Move around, especially if you’re feeling drained of energy.
- Eat regularly to keep your blood sugar levels up. When these levels drop, you feel tired.
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