I personally do not like coffee. Yet, I’m surviving college! How do I do it you may ask? I’ll tell you how to not depending on coffee for your everyday functioning, and even for those late night crams. Coffee is a stimulant drug; therefore, when you consume it, your blood circulation increases and your brain sends signals faster. It is actually a drug, and you can experience symptoms that come with taking a drug. One is tolerance. When you build up a tolerance to caffeine from drinking it every day, you have to drink more to get the same effects. You can also experience withdrawal symptoms if you don’t drink it, such as caffeine headaches. So here are some ways to avoid all that and just live a moderate to coffee-free life!

1. Drink a big glass of water when you wake up. This jumpstarts your body’s functioning.
2. Start your day with a healthy breakfast.
3. Continue to drink water throughout the day.
4. Get. Enough. Sleep (adults need 7-10 hours).
5. Walk around a little after sitting in one spot for a while. It will make you feel refreshed.
6. If you know you’re going to be up late, take a nap earlier in the day so you don’t get tired as soon late at night.
7. If you’re looking at a computer screen or reading a lot, look away for a few minutes every now and then. It will keep your eyes from getting tired.
8. Eat healthy snacks to avoid tiredness due to low blood sugar.
9. This one seems pretty self-explanatory, but don’t be in the dark unless you’re going to sleep. Try to work in brightly lit areas.
10. Take a few deep breaths to raise the levels of oxygen in your blood.
11. Go outside in the sun. Being in daylight helps our body’s natural cycles of sleep and wake.
12. Keep your senses alert (i.e. burn a candle, listen to music, or chew gum).
13. Engage in conversation every now and then to keep your brain alert.
14. Call a friend for a few minutes to make plans or ask how their day was.
15. Take a 30 second study break and do jumping jacks. That will definitely keep your body alert.
16. Look at bright colors on a screen every now and then. The same thing in action here is why it’s best not to look at your phone right before bed. It can actually keep you awake.
17. Don’t stuff yourself at meals. If you know you’re going to have to be especially productive that day, graze on small snacks/meals throughout the day.
18. Take the stairs instead of the elevator when you can.
19. If you’ve been in one position for too long it helps to stretch. You’ll feel more ready to be productive.
20. Splash cold water on your face to jolt your senses.
21. Take a break from your school/work “to do” list, and do something you need to do for 5 minutes. It could be finally picking up your room, watering your plants, or writing in a journal.

These are just a few of the many ways you can stay alert without caffeine (and without the caffeine addiction). Hopefully I’ve inspired you to make a change in your coffee habits!