If you’re anything like me, you roll out of bed of a morning and barely function without your morning coffee. You fumble your way to switch on the kettle or kick start that coffee machine (there’s nothing quite like the smell of freshly ground coffee beans of a morning) and start your day the same way, first the coffee… then the things. Usually followed by me rushing out the door in a craze.
I’ve had my fair share of attempts at kicking the coffee habit, but at the end of the day I always come back. I love the taste and I love the comfort and warmth it gives. But, you don’t have to start every single day the same way. There are alternatives to your morning coffee that are just as good, I promise.
1 – Bulletproof Coffee
Okay, I may be cheating a little by including this one as it is still coffee, but it’s supercharged and extra healthy so it counts as an alternative. Have you ever heard of bulletproof coffee? While it won’t make you actually bulletproof, it will give you more energy and more get up and go than your average morning coffee.
So what is it?
Each person makes theirs a little differently according to their taste but for me I make a black coffee (French Press preferably) and in a blender I add the coffee, a tablespoon of grass fed butter, a tablespoon of virgin coconut oil and a drizzle of rice malt syrup. Blitz it all up until frothy and creamy and smooth.
Guarantee, best tasting coffee ever… bliss!
2 – Sex
Nothing starts your morning quite like good morning love sesh. Not only is it a quick way to wake up, it also boosts a whole heap of neurotransmitters and hormones that make us feel good. And it reduces stress! You’ll have everyone wondering why you’re grinning and have that extra little skip in your step.
Being intimate releases a hormone called oxytocin, aka the love hormone. Oxytocin is shown to reduce cortisol (stress) and lower blood pressure, while also improving your gut health and reducing intestinal inflammation.
Plus, it means you can skip your morning gym routine! With the increase in heart rate and physical activity your workout is done before you even get out of bed!
3 – Green Smoothie
Really trying to cut back on the caffeine and want to start your day super healthy? Go for green! Green smoothies are such a good way to pack a ton of vitamins into your day before your day has really even begun!
If you’re more of a sweet tooth, like me, start with 2 fruits, 2 veggies, a tablespoon of chia seeds and top it up with coconut water. I usually add spinach and broccoli for my green veggies and include way more of them than the fruit.
There are millions of different combinations you can make. The best part is that you can prepare ahead. Put all of your ingredients (minus the coconut water) into a zip portion bag and pop them in the fridge. When it’s morning you can just grab them, blitz with coconut water and you’re good to go! No fuss!
4 – A Walk
While we’re on that health kick, we will also cover off a walk as being an option for an awesome way to start your day. It can be difficult to actually get started, especially if it’s a little cooler and you love your morning sleep in, but once you get out there it feels amazing.
I’ve always found on the days I’ve been able to take a walk first thing in the morning I’m far more creative and productive. I feel like I can conquer the world. And it’s not just something I feel good about, the science backs it up!
Just 3 hours of walking each week (not all in one day…) can reduce a woman’s risk of heart disease by up to 40%! That’s huge!
In addition, it puts you in the right frame of mind to kick off your day, it means you’ve already ticked ‘exercise’ off your list and it makes you feel freaking awesome!
5 – Yoga
Not quite up for the ‘get up and go’ needed for a morning walk? That’s okay, take things a little slower and breathe a little deeper with a morning yoga session. In a similar way to walking, your morning yoga session sets up your mindset for the day. It gives you time to focus and be intentional about your own self care. It also helps you get connected with your own energy and mindfulness.
It is also believed that yoga in the morning can help you sleep better, something we can all benefit from and gives us so many additional benefits as well. Plus, your morning stretch will make you feel fantastic throughout the day.
What alternatives to your morning coffee do you think you’d be able to cope with? Whatever you choose to do, make it part of your morning routine and it will become as easy and addictive as making a cup of coffee!