We’re all familiar with that feeling in the morning, when our alarm clock goes off but we don’t want to get out of bed. In most instances, the only thing that helps us feel ready to take on the day is caffeine, with many people reaching for a mug of coffee or tea before heading to work.
This caffeine boost is what makes us feel slightly more alert, but with controversy over how beneficial it is to our health, more individuals are making conscious efforts to swap their usual caffeine fix for something healthier.
So if you rely on copious cups of coffee or tea to get you through each day without falling asleep at your desk, here are a few healthy alternatives to try:
Fruit smoothie
The natural sugars found in fruit work to leave you feeling energised, so start your day with a fresh fruit smoothie.
It’s a good idea, therefore, to invest in a blender or smoothie maker, if you don’t already have one. This makes it much easier to simply throw together a selection of your favourite fruits and turn them into a delicious smoothie within a couple of minutes.
Smoothie makers tend to come with a detachable flask that you can just carry around on-the-go, meaning you won’t have to mess around trying to decant the smoothie into a separate bottle or container.
What’s more, if you’re concerned about not having enough time to make a smoothie in the morning, make it the night before and leave it in the fridge overnight.
Lemon water
Start your day with a refreshing mug of hot water and slice of lemon. This drink works to cleanse your system and flush out toxins. In turn, this helps to strengthen your immune system and keep your risk of catching cold and flu at bay.
What’s more, it’s super quick to make, meaning you could even add it to a flask and drink it on your morning commute. If you wish, you can swap the lemon for lime and add some freshly grated ginger for an extra boost.
Caffeine-free herbal tea
If you’re still missing your daily tea fix, try drinking caffeine-free herbal teas. These come in a variety of delicious flavours and are sure to make you forget about drinking traditional tea.
It’s a good idea to keep a couple of boxes of herbal tea on your desk at work. This way, you won’t feel tempted to drink the ordinary tea that’s stored in the kitchen of your office.
Fresh fruit juice
Another great alternative to coffee and tea is fresh fruit juice. Similar to a smoothie, but much lighter, a glass of fresh juice will leave you feeling satisfied and revitalised. What’s more, the natural sugars they contain will give you the energy you need to power through the day.
You may wish to invest in a juicer, which is a quick and easy way to extract the juice from each fruit.