Getting Mental Boost without a Caffeine Jolt

Rebecca Lewis December 16, 2014

If you’re like most people, you probably depend a lot on coffee or some energy drinks to perk you up when midday drowsiness comes. We all experience that afternoon slump and it really can interfere with our work and cause anxiety and frustration. But too much caffeine may not be good for your health, especially if the caffeinated beverages you sip contain lots of sugar too.

Fortunately, there are several ways to give yourself a mental boost without the caffeine jolt. Here they are:

Opt for a walk.

Children who walk or cycle to school have higher levels of concentration and lower levels according to a study by the researchers from universities in Copenhagen and Aarhus. Meanwhile, those who were driven to school, or who took public transport, performed less well in a test measuring concentration levels. A more recent study, published in the Journal of Behaviour Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, suggests walking with a little pep in your step can boost your mood.

Get some power nap.

We feel sleep from time to time, and that’s completely normal. And sometimes, the best way to fight that afternoon slump is to give in and take a snooze. A NASA study found that pilots who took a 40-minute nap had higher measure of alertness than those who got no rest. Even a 20-minute nap can do the trick, especially among shift workers, according to Harvard Health Publications’ website.

Observe proper posture.

If you slouch all the time, the more you will feel sluggish. Research suggests that when we exercise proper posture, we tend to have a little more self-esteem and believe in our own assets more than when we’re slouching, according to a 2009 study by Ohio State University. Even a little stretch and adjustment in your posture can give you a mental boost, and lift your mood when 3PM rolls around.

Play uplifting, energetic music.

Maybe you are not allowed to turn the music nice and loud. But at least you can listen through your earphone. Listening to music is a wonderful way to get a quick escape from the stresses of the world. Get lost to the beat and feel the music as it eases your stress away and energises your body. A study published in the Nature Neuroscience found that music releases a chemical (called dopamine) in the brain that has a key role in setting good moods.

Do a quick workout.

Jog the stairs, do 10 jumping jacks, or take a brisk walk around the building. Even a 10-minute exercise can keep your blood circulating and your brain going. Nothing beats physical activity in fighting afternoon slump. Not only that, it also lifts your mood significantly.

Get citrusy.

Research on aromatherapy shows that just a whiff of citrusy scent may give us the mental stimulation and mood boost we so desperately need in the middle of the afternoon. Peeling an orange also offers some stress-relieving benefits. And if you eat it, the more you will be powered up because of its high vitamin C level!

Hydrate.

Even just mild dehydration can cause sluggishness, so make sure you are properly hydrated. Swap that high-calorie fizzy drink with crystal clear water.

See, you don’t need much of caffeine to perk your mood up and restore your every. With these tips, you can get over that afternoon slump without causing any danger to your health.