7 Caffeinated Beverages W+G Editors Swear By To Really, Really Wake Them Up
It's not just you: This week has felt especially sleepier, thanks to the hour we "lost" on Sunday. Feeling extra tired, sluggish, even hungover (regardless of whether or not you drank the night before) is to be expected—the human body is naturally resistant to change. "Our biological clocks are so well set that even an hour's difference in light exposure can create changes in the body, making for greater sleepiness in the morning and insomnia at bedtime at the daylight savings change," Shelby Harris, PsyD, author of The Women's Guide to Overcoming Insomnia previously told Well+Good.
The solution? Making sure you re-adjust your sleep schedule so you get enough sleep (you can read more about daylight savings tips here). And caffeine, if you consume it. "The caffeine in coffee increases the stimulant norepinephrine and the laser-focus chemical dopamine in your brain," neuroscientist, Cleaning Up The Mental Mess author, and NeuroCycle app founder Caroline Leaf, PhD told Well+Good.
Talk about words to live by. Many folks on the W+G team rely on caffeinated beverages to get them through the day, and this week was no exception. In fact, in order to merely function, many of us were downing an extra cup (or two, or three) of coffee or tea. If you're looking for a drink that will give you extra energy, allow us to introduce you to some of our go-tos. We may have all lost an hour, but we're rich in focus-boosting beverages.
W+G-approved energy-boosting drinks
“When I’m looking for an afternoon pick me up (I’m one of those people who can sleep on caffeine no problem), I often grab a Taika Mocha Latte. It tastes like a milkshake, and it’s got the right amount of caffeine and other goods, so I don’t get too jittery.” — Ella Dove, Creative Director
“Although I do have one cup of coffee to wake up, I always switch to tea for the rest of the day so my stomach doesn’t yell at me. My favorite right now is Harney & Sons Winter White Earl Grey: The bergamot gives a citrus-y zing without overpowering the other flavors. I like to add just a splash of milk… and pretend I’m in a cozy English cottage.” — Jenny Heimlich, Senior Fitness Editor
“I’m a bit obsessed with coffee subscriptions. Two of my favorites: Bean Box, which sends roasts you’ll love based on your preferences, has free shipping, and has 300+ offerings. Trade Coffee is also such a good one, with a big focus on sustainability (every producer takes a Roaster Pledge) and over 400+ different coffees from producers.” — Samantha Leal, Deputy Editor
“When we left for the winter we didn’t pack my favorite cold brew pitcher. That’s why I love these—you just drop them into a vessel (we use a large thermos), add some water, and steep it overnight. By morning, you’ll have coffee shop-worthy brew without the expensive price tag.” — Frankie Krempa, Commerce Writer
“La Colombe’s Cold Brew basically runs through my veins. As flooded as the market is with ready-to-drink cold brew coffees, this one seriously hits different. It’s noticeably smoother, richer, and bolder in flavor than most other brands I’ve sampled. Adding oat milk is a power move, but even when it’s black and without doctoring, this coffee’s creamy, chocolate-like flavor is the only thing I want to bring me back to life in the morning.” — Betty Gold, Senior Food Editor
“I’ve also been loving Four Sigmatic’s coffee made with Lion’s mane and Chaga mushrooms to help your brain truly wake up—and to have steady energy throughout the day with a focus on… focus. Pssst… it now comes in whole beans that you can grind yourself.” — Leal
I’ll generally make myself espresso in the morning (Trader Joe’s brand), but my favorite pick-me-up is black tea. It feels a bit more mellow than coffee, and the ritual of drinking a mug of hot tea is really comforting to me—echoing Jenny’s cozy cottage sentiments! I’m currently loving Sama’s Reishi Earl Grey, a classic black tea blend that features reishi mushrooms, which are a natural source of energy. The taste is fantastic—lots of bergamot, but a little more earthy. Perks me up every single time. — Gina Vaynshteyn, Senior Commerce Editor
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