Alternative Caffeine Sources

I've cut way back on sodas. I don't drink coffee. I was addicted to Monster for a while (had to cut that off cold turkey). Now I use the occasional 5 hr energy, but don't really like doing that.

What can I do to help to stay awake (esp. after lunch) while in my cube? I get up frequently and walk around, but then it doesn't look like I'm working. I need something to give me a kick in the butt. I have been eating more fruit (apples), I sleep OK, I work out regularly. It's also because I'm just bored a lot at work also. (I surf GRM waaayyy too much during the day.) Any suggestions?

Thanks GRM!

No idea. I live on throwback dew and cherry coke.

EDIT- some tea is caffeinated.

I'm trying to cut back on soda as well right now I like to use the energy stuff that you squirt into water. I'm sure it not really healthy but I figure its got to be better for me and much cheaper than an amp.

Tea, water (gets you up to pee), chocolate.

do you get your work done, despite getting up and walking around and surfing GRM all day?

if so, then keep doing that.. if the bosses say anything, just ask them if they have any problems with the actual amount of work that you are doing..

other than that, switch to a job that doesn't require to to be penned up in a cage all day and pays you to work out... something in the construction trades, perhaps.

I keep chocolate covered espresso beans in my desk. I also used to take whole roasted coffee beans, chew them up and tuck them in my cheek like smokeless tobacco. Gives a nice buzz!

get your heart rate up

getting up and walking around won't do it. try flat out running like if say you had just robbed a drug dealer, or carried out a risky, murderous plot against a fellow worker and there were helicopters looking for you.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: get your heart rate up getting up and walking around won't do it. try flat out running like if say you had just robbed a drug dealer, or carried out a risky, murderous plot against a fellow worker and there were helicopters looking for you.

I generally hop in the nearest car and beat cheeks for the hills in that event.

Personally, I drink this:

http://www.advocare.com/products/active/A2094.aspx

A bit healthier for you since it doesn't have sugar and is low in calories. I drink one in the morning and occasionally, one in the afternoon.

They also make a product called, Slam, which is like 5hr Energy, but healthier and backed with scientific findings instead of just cramming whatever will get people buzzed into it.

Since I work at home, getting up an moving around isn't an issue (though avoiding the garage is difficult since, you know working) If you have that option, try it and see if you can build a treadmill desk to keep moving through the day. Some people like it, others don't. Some who are stuck in cubicle land move to standing desks to help provide more movement to their days. Another thought is to go for a jog around the building before or after lunch.

I've found the best way to not drop dead after lunch is to make lunches smaller. I'm not someone that gets hung up on what meal I eat at what point in the day, so lately breakfast has been a BBQ sandwich and some vinegar slaw, maybe a Coke or maybe a glass of water. Or a can of soup, the Thick & Chunky stuff. That kind of thing. Lunch will be an apple and a carton of yogurt, something along those lines, maybe some peanuts as a snack later.

That said, moving around a bit is smart, and there's always learning to like coffee...

I used to be real sleepy all the time working. I found I get less tired when I am surfin GRM, much less boring than work. I also drink a lot of water and that helps.

Black tea. Naturally caffeinated.

Find yourself an office fling... Then whenever your are feeling a bit tired. Make an excuse to head to the broom closet "to get supplies".

Slipknot at maximum volume.

Water Joe

3rd the Tea.

Cleanest / cheapest form of Caffeine you can get. Only possible downside is stained teeth if you drink too much. Better then teeth rotting away with soda though.

I have tried these in the past, as far as helping keep you awake they are the best I have tried. http://www.rocketchocolate.com/

White tea won't stain your teeth, though I don't know if it has as much caffeine as black tea.

Woody wrote: White tea won't stain your teeth, though I don't know if it has as much caffeine as black tea.

I believe it actually has MORE than black tea. Not as fond of it taste-wise though. Love me some good Golden Monkey with a bit of rock sugar...

Bai5 is an organic fruit drink my wife dragged home from Costco a couple months back. It's made from coffee fruit (where they get the beans from). It tastes good, comes in a lot of flavors, and a whole bottle has the same caffeine as a cup of coffee. The energy boost is impressive, but it doesn't have the jittery feeling that a coffee rush does.

If your man enough... Try some stimulant based pre-workout powder. I have some stuff called 'Mr. Hyde' in my office I take when I leave work to head to the gym. I can only do about half a dose, a full dose and I think I can smell the colors in the sky. 419mg of various caffeine per scoop.

I tend to drink a lot of green tea in the office, with an occasional cup or three of Earl Grey. I find that too much black tea tends to upset my stomach, but green tea doesn't. It's also supposedly better for you.

I hear meth is cheap....

I dropped sodas a few months ago and tea has been a nice replacement for the caffeine. It's amazing how much better I feel after just quitting sodas and not changing anything else.

Take a 20 minute nap. Seriously, it can be more effective than caffeine.