#selfcare.

Part One: Beverages. 

Coffees are ideal for the work of busybodies-----  people who are often running errands, working the floor as a sales associate, doing manual labor, or traveling! If your job requires you to be on your feet, a cup of coffee will help you stay active!  Ideally, home-brewed coffee is best, but if you don’t have time and would prefer to buy it from a cafe or coffee shop, don’t be afraid to be specific about your order:  black is best, with a healthy amount of sugar and cream (or substitute with honey and coconut milk as a healthier choice), tailored to your preference. Avoid lattes, over-the-top frappes with whipped cream toppings, etc.. Try to avoid coffees in cans or from franchise cafes, as they have excess sugar (especially American brands coughstarbuckscough; Asian brands are usually better about their sugar doses). 

Sugar rushes are no substitute for real, genuine caffeine and the benefits of black coffee. 

If you work in an office, coffees (especially with high sugar content) are usually unhelpful. When your work typically requires you to sit in a cubicle or office for long hours, coffee will make you crash. You will feel tired faster. It is best to avoid coffee, and focus on teas-----   especially green tea, which has a healthy amount of caffeine (but not as much as coffee) on top of the long list of health benefits.  Here are some of the benefits of green tea:

 Antioxidants found in green tea can help prevent cancer.

Contains high concentrates of EGCG, which promotes brain health and defends against Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Disease.

Green tea acts as an antimicrobial agent. Its properties can reduce bacteria spores in the body.

Polyphenols found in green tea can reduce cholesterol, which is the main factor of heart disease. Polyphenols in green tea can also help improve liver health. It lowers lipid levels in the body and reduces the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Catechins in green tea can help reduce your risk for Type II Diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity.

 It protects against inflammation.

Drinking green tea can help you lose weight by increasing metabolism and helping the human body burn fat faster.

Try to include teas into your diet just for the health benefits alone! Black teas such as Earl Gray and Assam have more caffeine than green teas, and taste great with homogenized milk and honey. Check out this article for more information: Switching From Coffee To Teas.  Naturally, coffee addicts should be mindful of the inevitable withdrawal symptoms when switching to teas or quitting caffeine altogether: Ways to Wean Off Coffee. 

Now we know the beverages that will keep you awake and active for work! But what about beverages that will help you sleep?  Chamomile tea is ideal for people who have trouble sleeping at night, and is proven to give you more energy in the day as you consistently drink it!  Here is more information about chamomile tea:

According to USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, chamomile tea contains negligible amounts of many vitamins and minerals like: potassium, magnesium, calcium, sodium, thiamin, riboflavin, and vitamin A. Other nutrients include folate, iron, and zinc. One cup (237 ml) of brewed chamomile tea provides 2 kcal of energy, 0.47 g of carbohydrates.

 Chamomile tea can be used as an overall SLEEP AID, particularly for people who struggle with SLEEP APNEA and restless sleep or insomnia.

 It relieves STOMACH ACHES: if you are suffering from stomach irritation, ranging anywhere from mild bloating to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms, chamomile tea's anti-inflammatory properties can be a major help. It also alleviates stomach ulcer pains and spasms. This makes chamomile tea ideal for people who have monthly cramps/a menstrual cycle!