“I feel jittery when I drink caffeinated beverages, but I still feel drowsy in the morning and foggy during the day. What can I drink to help me wake up, and how can I get energy without caffeine or stimulants?”
We get asked this question a lot. It’s no surprise: a recent poll has shown that 76% of Americans feel tired at work, with 44% having trouble focusing. And if you’re one among them but can’t safely consume caffeine, just getting through the day successfully can be a huge challenge. Thankfully, there are a number of herbs that can help- and my personal recommendation is our blend, An Elephant Never Forgets. In this article, I’ll share my experience with this herbal tea, and a few more tips for staying energized without stimulants.
An Elephant Never Forgets features ginkgo (a famous herb for brain support), rhodiola (an adaptogen that helps to rebalance your neurotransmitters), gotu kola (a neuroprotective herb that relieves anxiety and also aids with sleep), rosemary (which boosts memory and protects against brain aging), sage (an anti-inflammatory herb that protects against dementia), spearmint, cardommom, and calendula. On their own, these herbs are powerful, but their synergy works wonders.
A little about me: I react terribly to caffeine. I also need plenty of sleep to feel fully awake and functional, and anything less than about 7 hours has significant consequences to my alertness, mood, performance, memory, and general feeling of wellbeing. In addition, poor sleep has sometimes been an issue for me (such as in the summer, when the sun rises early). So, when I first learned of An Elephant Never Forgets, a caffeine-free herbal tea for brain and memory support, I was intrigued. I only began taking it months later, but this tea quickly became a daily staple for me, both in the morning and throughout the day. It works. On bad days, it makes me feel better; and on good days, I feel like a superhero. Here’s what I’ve found with it.
I always leave a cold-brew of An Elephant Never Forgets in my fridge, so that I can drink it when I wake up. On mornings when my sleep is cut short, I just want to go back to bed, and my brain just won’t turn on, this tea wakes me up in under a minute from when I start drinking it. The effect is literally immediate- it’s and not the kind of wired, anxious energy from stimulants. It makes me feel like I have actually slept enough.
The next benefit that I have found is with mood. I am naturally happier and more able to deal with stress adequately. I feel light and positive when I drink the tea. When I feel anxious, sad, or irritable, this tea works quickly to help me feel better.
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Lastly, my memory has improved since taking the tea regularly. While I used to easily forget things like names, words, or phrases, my recall is much faster and more reliable. It also has helped me to stay on top of my tasks more easily, and I no longer worry about any of my (very numerous) to-do items falling through the cracks because I forgot about them. This tea has been a miracle for me, and it gives me peace-of-mind in knowing that I will be able to handle each day effectively.
Here are a few tips for feeling energized without caffeine. Always have a brew of An Elephant Never Forgets on-hand (in your fridge, or in a portable tumbler) if you feel a sudden slump in energy or mood. Be sure to exercise regularly to keep your circulation and metabolism high, and your brain healthy. Make sure to incorporate enough downtime into your life, so that you feel recharged. And lastly, make sure that you have things in your life to look forward to, and give a positive meaning to everything that you do to keep you motivated.
*This information has not been evaluated by the FDA, and is not intended to diagnose or cure a medical issue, or replace professional medical care. If you are pregnant or nursing, are under the care of a physician, or on prescription medication, talk to your health care provider before making any changes to your diet or routine.
