How Can I Boost My Energy?

Even if you love the flavor of coffee, it’s hard to love the jitters, ups and downs and dependance that comes with a daily caffeine habit.

Luckily, cutting out (or even reducing) caffeine isn’t too difficult, when you examine some of the natural options. We asked our resident nutritionist and healthy living expert Elissa Goodman to share some of her secrets for keeping her energy high naturally.

I feel so tired all of the time. How can I get more energy without loading up on caffeine?

How are you sleeping? Your energy and focus during your waking hours are directly correlated to your sleep time/quality. Before you supplement, commit to 8 to 9 hours of sleep per night. Sleep between the hours of 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. is the most restorative. It may not be fun to think of missing all the action and being in bed by 10 (or 10:30), but you will wow them all day long.

If you’ve done your best and still feel energy deprived during the day, I suggest decreasing your dependence on caffeine by making the switch to a cup of Tulsi Tea with holy basil, an adaptogenic substance that will help your body adapt to and better handle stress without overloading on caffeine and taking a daily B complex. A B-complex helps to convert our food into fuel, allowing us to stay energized throughout the day.

Illustration by Karley Koenig