Ditch the caffeine

We all know that person who is best left alone until they had their morning caffeine fix. That's not me - nor do I ever want it to be! Caffeine is one of the most socially acceptable mind-altering drugs leading to addiction, tolerance, and withdrawal. Side effects of caffeine include palpitations, tremors, and insomnia (Hlais et al., 2019). Insomnia has its own side effects we won't get into right now. Instead, waking up to exercise. The benefits of exercise outweighs the caffeine including: weight control, improved overall physical and mental health, improved cognition, and improved sleep. Exercising in the morning can get your blood flowing and pumping increasing oxygenated blood to your brain. Exercise increases serotonin and endorphin levels improving mood, sleep, and pain-management (Sharifi et al., 2018). You don't even have to wait until you get out of bed. Once your eyes open get those legs and arms moving a pumping with bicycle crunches on the bed. Followed with rolling on the floor for some push-ups. Don't stop there, do some pelvic thrusts and core exercises while brushing your teeth. Top it off with a brisk walk or jog and you have a recipe for an energetic start to your day. You will start feeling the difference of waking up bright eyed and bushy-tailed on a regular bases without that caffeine fix.

References:

Hlais, S., Francis, R., Jneid, S., & Aoun, A. (2019). MON-PO632: The prevalence, contributing factors and side effects of caffeine consumption among Lebanese university medical and pharmacy students. Clinical Nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland),38, S293. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0261-5614(19)32465-3

Sharifi, M., Hamedinia, M., & Hosseini-Kakhak, S. (2018). The effect of an exhaustive aerobic, anaerobic and resistance exercise on serotonin, beta-endorphin and BDNF in students. Physical Education of Students, 22(5), 272-277. https://doi.org/10.15561/20755279.2018.0507