Health Hack: Energy Boost

Next time you need an energy boost in the middle of the day, ditch the energy drink and guzzle a big glass of water instead. The caffeine, sugar, and stimulants (like taurine) in energy drinks can send your body on a roller coaster ride, giving you a quick dose of ingredients that rev up your central nervous system, and then send it crashing back down so you feel even more tired.

But that’s not all. They also can compound your energy problems by messing up your sleep. A better approach is to drink plenty of water, get a little exercise, and make sure you expose yourself to light (natural sunshine is best). These are the best natural revver-uppers for your body.

If you absolutely must use something to boost your energy, drink the smallest amount of caffeine possible that gives you a small energy boost but won’t leave you feeling more tired in an hour or so, and interfere with your sleep.