Living in London where the hustle and bustle is real, and the city never stops moving, it’s sometimes the path of least resistance to march to its relentless beat. However, it’s not sustainable and sometimes a helping hand is needed. These top five emergency pick me ups aren’t as good as a proper night’s rest but they will help you get through a tiring day.
This ingenious powdered goodness is full of antioxidants and polyphenols to help your energy (and health) last longer.
Sencha is regarded one of the top quality teas in Japan; it uses the top leaves and buds of a tea bush grown in full sunlight. We particularly love the Shinzo Sencha which we discovered at Studio One on Caledonian Road. These finely ground tea leaves can be added to hot water and unlike with whole tea leaves, it doesn’t get stronger as time passes so it still tastes delicious after 10 minutes. It’s also incredibly versatile and can be drunk hot or cold (hello lovely summer drink!), as well as added to cakes or porridge. A lot of people also add it into their pre-workout shake or mix a little with diluted apple juice for their children.
And it’s also considered a bit of a superfood due to its high polyphenol count which helps combats environment stress factors including pollution. It’s also considered beneficial for heart health and some even believe that it can help prevent cancer although more research is needed to prove this.
Ideal for: Those who don’t want a full-on caffeine hit but still want a drink full of health benefits and good taste.
Where to buy: We picked ours up from Studio One, the boutique fitness studio in Caledonian Road.
Alchemy Super Blends is a range of 4 different mixes of powder, each targeting its own common issue. Bringing together the most nutrient-rich plants, these blends can be added to smoothies and soups for a natural boost of goodness that cleanses and restores vitality from the inside out. The Energy Elixir contains baobab, pea protein, chlorella, Maca and camu camu which together, helps alleviate stress and tiredness.
Ideal for: Health-conscious smoothie makers who want to feel energised without using natural stimulants, such as caffeine.
Where to buy: 4 servings cost £7.99 or you can buy larger packs. Available from alchemysuperblends.com
Special blend combinations of nutrient-rich superfoods.
Coffee? In a bag? Yes, you heard us. And it’s actually a pretty smart idea. After all, coffee, alongside tea, is one of the nation’s favourite drinks and Lyons are making it even easier to prepare a great tasting mug. Their coffee bags are slightly larger than the average tea bag and they taste best when dunked for approximately 4 minutes. We’ve found them excellent when added to an insulated bottle, such as a S’well, especially if you like your coffee strong; fill it up with hot water, pop in a coffee bag and you’ve got a tasty hot drink to keep you powering through your next meetings. We particularly like the No 3, Rich & Full-Bodied version (there are 4 varieties in total) – it’s also great iced with a dash of almond milk. We have a feeling these are going to be a hit for happy campers over summer.
Ideal for: Those who don’t have the time to prepare freshly ground coffee yet don’t want to resort to instant coffee.
Where to buy: Available from Tesco, Ocado, Sainsbury’s, Nisa and Waitrose for £2.60 for a box of 18 foil-wrapped bags.
Lyons Coffee Bags make a great-tasting brew. Team it with a morsel of your favourite chocolate.
Imagine an iced coffee available straight from your fridge! Keep a carton of Califia Farms Cold Brew at work or at home for a refreshing and energizing caffeine-hit. It’s earthy and strong and best of all will see you buzzing for a few hours after a small glass of this. Dress is up with their Barista Blend Almond milk for an extra creamy treat.
Ideal for: Those who want a cold coffee NOW.
Where to buy: 946ml Califia Farms Cold Brew carton available from Wholefoods at £5.99
Cold Brew coffee from Califia Farms is extra tasty when teamed with their Barista Blend Almond Milk
Most of the time we plod along throughout the year, sticking to our comfortable and secure supplement routine. We dutifully take Vitamin D and dose up on our omegas the whole year round. This is what makes Hello Day different. They provide seasonal and targeted supplement boxes to keep you supported throughout the year. For example, in their Spring Box, the four supplements specifically promote Vitality Balance to increase energy, Libido Stimulate to reduce fatigue, Circulation Activate to naturally lower blood pressure and improve circulation and Digestion Detox to support your digestive system.
Ideal for: Those who want a long-lasting pick-me-up.
Where to buy: The Spring Box costs £69 and is available online from hello-day.com
Hello Day’s seasonal boxes equip you to be in top health throughout the year.
And lastly, a pick-me-up for your skin…
All skin types will love this toner from Bare Origin. Spritz it onto clean skin the morning after a heavy night to keep skin hydrated and reduce any inflammation or irritation. It also has a beautiful refreshing scent which will liven your senses and set you up for the day. Keep it in the fridge for added revitalisation.
Ideal for: That morning after the night before.
Where to buy: Online at bareoriginskin.com
Of course, lack of sleep isn’t sustainable and these little pick-me-ups are for those days where you’ve worked too hard or partied into the early hours on a weekday. But hopefully they will help. Our personal favourite pick-me-up is this Rainforest Energy SmoothieRainforest Energy Smoothie by Leith’s-trained chef, Susie Morrison from Rainforest Energy Smoothie.
Leave a Reply