The 3- easiest ways to increase your energy... it's simple, and it's FREE!

The 3- EASIEST ways to increase your energy... it's simple, and it's FREE! 

By Lewis Meltz

You’ve gotten to the point where you grab for a caffeine jolt first thing in the morning right?  What most people do is reach for a cup of coffee, an early morning tea, a Red Bull or a shot of 5- Hour Energy as soon as they get up, or on the way to work.  Be honest with yourself, it’s just a habit, and with some simple conditioning you can change your dependence without ever giving it up.  Imagine… no more brain fog when you get up.  You’ll wake up more alert, refreshed, completely rested and ready to get going.  Sound good?  First, be sure to like this fan page then find out more by clicking here:

In the U.S., energy drink sales have grown by more than 5000% since 1999.  In fact, according to Packaged Facts, U.S. Market Trends for Energy Drinks and Shots in 2012 was worth more than $12.5 billion… and that doesn’t even account for coffee consumption.  That segment of the caffeine market namely, coffee and ready-to-drink coffee in the U.S is expected to top $48 billion in 2014, and for tea, that’s yet another $25 billion in revenue. 

Ever wonder why it’s such a huge market?  There’s a little bit of business and a little bit of science behind it.  But here’s a surefire way to get the most out of your daily caffeine indulgence…  All you’ll want to do is 

#1:  Don't use the snooze button on the alarm clock. When you wake up, get up. 
#2: Wait a few hours before grabbing your first cup in the morning.  And,
#3: Avoid using sunglasses early in the morning.   

You might be thinking it’s not that simple...  but it really is.  Instead drink 16 oz of warm water with a tablespoon of raw unpasteurized apple cider vinegar and the juice from a half lemon.  I admit, it takes awhile to get used to it.

Reaching for a quick cup of coffee or an energy drink first thing out of bed in the morning actually perpetuates your grogginess feeling day-in-and-day-out.  It short-circuits the natural hormones that help you wake-up from a sound sleep; and in doing so, it also hinders the way you’re able to cope with stress throughout the rest of the day.  No wonder you feel pressured, an uneasy feeling all-of-the-time… and you don’t know why.  You try getting more rest by going to bed earlier, and that doesn’t work.  You try taking a mid day snooze, and that doesn’t work either.  You try taking some time off by getting away for a long weekend with no help… you’ve even improved your diet, dropped a few pounds, and bumped up your exercise like a friend suggested… but that doesn’t help either. 

The sad truth is, the beverage manufacturers want sales and that's exactly what they're getting by you not knowing. The science behind it though is something called the cortisol awakening response, also known as CAR.  In humans, cortisol is released by the adrenal glands that sit on top of each kidney.  It's a natural steroid hormone, and follows a rhythmic cycle a couple times each day with the greatest increase right after you wake up from a sound sleep further stimulated by the amount of sunlight your eyes are exposed to in the morning.  There are other brain chemicals that regulate CAR, which are influenced by gender, health status, health behavior and stress perception. It's not clear why cortisol rises right after waking but neural regulation has a lot to do with it. 

One structure in the brain, the suprachiasmatic nucleus abbreviated SCN, is a small area located in the hypothalamus, situated directly above the optic nerve. It’s responsible for controlling circadian rhythms. The neuronal and hormonal activities it generates regulate many different body functions in a 24-hour cycle.  As for the SCN, it controls your sleep-wake cycle, feeding and energy consumption, sugar balance, and along with a few other things it controls many of your hormones.  With respect to your alertness, the SCN’s control of cortisol, known as the "stress" hormone, is extremely important. 

In a recent Forbes article titled, “Why The Best Time To Drink Coffee Is Not First Thing In The Morning,” it states the effects of caffeine consumption at times of peak cortisol levels actually diminishes the effectiveness of the additional stimulation.  Worse still, “By consuming caffeine when it is not needed, your body will build a faster tolerance to it, and the buzz you get will be greatly diminished."

The optimal timing of your caffeine intake should be when your cortisol levels are lowest during the day.  So in order to gain the most enjoyment of caffeine with the least negative effects on cortisol… you’ll want to avoid the two hours after waking-up, at lunch time, and anytime after 5pm. In other words, cortisol levels in most people are highest between 8-9 am, 12-1 pm and 5:30-6:30 pm.  Timing your “caffeine fix” between 9:30-11:30 and 1:30 and 5:00 takes complete advantage of the dips in your cortisol levels when you need a boost the most.  The problem is, you’re drinking caffeine at a time when you’re already approaching your maximal level of alertness naturally. One of the key principles of pharmacology is to use a drug when it is needed, and not the other way around.

Sunlight is the strongest external cue invoking alertness, especially in the morning. So, if it’s safe to do so, commuting into work without sunglasses on is best. This would allow for stronger signals to be sent between the eyes and the brain to stimulate the SCN, and increase your morning cortisol production at an even faster rate.  If you fear being blinded by the sun in the morning keep them on. But, on days when it’s overcast or partially cloudy… take them off especially if you didn’t get a lot of sleep the night before.  Driving without them will help you feel more alert rather than blocking what little sunlight is available.  That way you can take the most advantage of your situation.   

Bless and be blessed ALWAYS, 

 

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Lewis Meltz