A return to school doesn’t have to mean a return to an unhealthy habit
As students return to classes, many of us can be found reaching for the essential ingredients that fuel university degrees: coffee, energy drinks, and pop. This winter, why not try something new: a caffeine-free semester, perhaps?
While caffeine does give a boost of energy and increase alertness—something that’s particularly useful when it’s 2 a.m. and you have a paper due the next day—it can also have some negative side effects.
Caffeine can make you more fidgety or shaky, prevent you from sleeping, and can even cause increased or abnormal heart rhythms. It’s also addictive, meaning that, after a while, trying to stop or reduce your caffeine intake will likely result in withdrawal symptoms including headaches, irritability, and a lack of concentration.
Ditching caffeine for good could be better for you in the long run. Since caffeine is found in many of the foods and beverages we consume daily, avoiding it can be seen as a challenge—but it doesn’t have to be. Listed below are some healthy alternatives to caffeine that will still give you a burst of energy to fuel your studying.
Water
Being dehydrated can cause a lack of energy and most university students can probably agree that they don’t drink enough—water, that is.
Protein
This is a natural source of energy and starting your day with protein will also keep you feeling more full throughout the day. Foods like eggs, lean meat, dairy, and nuts are all good sources of protein.
Nutty smoothies
Nuts aren’t just good on their own; they’re also good in a smoothie. Try adding cashew milk, nut butter, or flaxseed to your morning shake for an energy burst before early classes.
Apples
Chewing apples will open up neural pathways and the fructose will spur your metabolism into energy production. Plus, it’s fair to say that once we get sucked into the studying vortex, many of us tend to forget what fruit looks like.
Exercise
It may seem backwards, but exercising will actually make you feel more energized. Some studies show that exercising is more effective than caffeine when it comes to improving your overall cognitive performance, including memory and reaction. So if you want to improve your grades this semester, maybe it’s worth investing some time in regular exercise.
Stretching
If you’re not quite up to a full workout, try just getting up and stretching during studying sessions. Stretching helps oxygen metabolism, which will send oxygen-rich cells to your brain and make you feel more alert. You can also try getting up and walking around, or even an impromptu dance party to get your blood pumping and keep you from falling asleep on your textbooks.
Herbs
Some herbs, including willow bark, cayenne, and ginger root, are thought to provide increased energy levels. Willow bark can be consumed in the form of tea and you can try cooking with cayenne and ginger to feel more energized.
Decaffeinated tea or coffee
If you’re really having trouble leaving your tea or coffee behind, decaf can be a good option. Decaf tea and coffee still contain very small amounts of caffeine but are a great alternative that will help you work towards a healthier (mostly) caffeine-free semester.
Photo by Karen Tran.