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0 / 31 Fotos
You might be sleep deprived
- The first, and perhaps most obvious, reason that caffeine may not affect you is that you are sleep deprived. Indeed, studies show that caffeine will not improve alertness if you only sleep for five hours three days in a row.
© Shutterstock
1 / 31 Fotos
You might be sleep deprived
- The reason for this is that when we are awake, our bodies produce a chemical called adenosine, which makes us feel tired and tells our brains to rest.
© Shutterstock
2 / 31 Fotos
You might be sleep deprived
- Caffeine may temporarily block this message, but we only get a false sense of alertness. The adenosine will continue to build up, until it eventually overpowers us.
© Shutterstock
3 / 31 Fotos
It might be genetic
- You may also have genes that mean you don’t feel the effects of caffeine so strongly. Indeed, studies show that a variation in your adenosine receptors can stop you from feeling energized by caffeine.
© Shutterstock
4 / 31 Fotos
It might be genetic - Furthermore, there are certain enzymes in your liver that determine how quickly your body breaks down caffeine.
© Shutterstock
5 / 31 Fotos
It might be genetic
- If your body metabolizes caffeine at a particularly fast rate, you may not feel the effects so much because the caffeine is simply not in your body for such a long time.
© Shutterstock
6 / 31 Fotos
You might have a tolerance
- Another reason that you don’t feel the effects of caffeine could be that you have built up a tolerance. This can happen if you drink large amounts of coffee every day.
© Shutterstock
7 / 31 Fotos
You might have a tolerance
- As with any developed tolerance, once your body becomes used to your regular intake of caffeine, you will need more to feel the same energizing effects.
© Getty Images
8 / 31 Fotos
You might have a tolerance
- Bear in mind that you may be consuming more caffeine than you think. Non-coffee products such as chocolate, soda, and kombucha contain caffeine, too.
© Shutterstock
9 / 31 Fotos
You might be dehydrated
- If you are drinking cup after cup of coffee or tea and finding that it doesn’t seem to affect your energy levels, it may be because you're dehydrated.
© Shutterstock
10 / 31 Fotos
You might be dehydrated
- It is a simple fact that the more cups of joe you drink, the more you will need to pee. And the more you pee, of course, the more dehydrated you become.
© Shutterstock
11 / 31 Fotos
You might be dehydrated
- Being dehydrated can cause us to feel more sleepy and fatigued than usual, so make sure you are drinking enough water as well.
© Shutterstock
12 / 31 Fotos
You might not be consuming enough
- It may also be the case that you are simply not consuming enough caffeine. This is likely to be the case if you are getting enough sleep every night, but one cup of coffee still doesn’t ‘work.’
© Shutterstock
13 / 31 Fotos
You might not be consuming enough
- The amount of caffeine you need to consume in order to feel energized will depend on your weight, age, gender, and genetics.
© Shutterstock
14 / 31 Fotos
You might not be consuming enough
- Bear in mind that the recommended maximum caffeine consumption per day is 400mg, which means that you can safely consume around four or five cups of coffee.
© Getty Images
15 / 31 Fotos
It might be a mid-afternoon slump
- If you find that caffeine is particularly ineffective after lunch, you may just be experiencing a mid-afternoon slump.
© Shutterstock
16 / 31 Fotos
It might be a mid-afternoon slump
- As well as disrupting sleep, one of the effects of caffeine is that it resets your body’s circadian rhythm, the biological clock that tells you when you should be asleep and awake.
© Shutterstock
17 / 31 Fotos
It might be a mid-afternoon slump
- If you are not getting enough sleep and you consume caffeine, it is natural for your body to feel dips in energy levels throughout the day, particularly after lunch.
© Shutterstock
18 / 31 Fotos
It might be your medications
- Finally, if you are taking medications regularly, it may be that these are influencing the way in which you feel the effects of caffeine.
© Shutterstock
19 / 31 Fotos
It might be your medications
- There are some medications that slow down the absorption and metabolism of caffeine in your body, and this can mean you don’t feel so energized as a result.
© Shutterstock
20 / 31 Fotos
It might be your medications
- Different drugs interact with caffeine to different extents, but studies show that these interactions are common in antidepressants, high blood pressure medications, and diabetes medications, among others.
© Shutterstock
21 / 31 Fotos
Other options
- If you are finding that caffeine isn’t affecting you and you’re looking for different ways to wake yourself up in the morning, you’re in luck: there are plenty of things you can do.
© Shutterstock
22 / 31 Fotos
Exercise
- The best thing to do is exercise before work. Even if you only walk for 20 minutes, that should be enough to raise your heart rate and leave you feeling more alert.
© Shutterstock
23 / 31 Fotos
Eat the right foods
- Eating the right foods is also a good way to ensure that you feel energized throughout the day. Choose foods rich in protein and fiber for slow-release energy.
© Shutterstock
24 / 31 Fotos
Eat the right foods
- For a quick energy boost, go for a high-carb snack. And if you’re feeling super tired, bananas, pumpkins, and citrus are a great bet.
© Shutterstock
25 / 31 Fotos
Get some sun
- If you’re lucky enough to live somewhere with abundant sunlight, make the most of it. Sitting in the sun for just a few minutes is long enough to give you a natural energy boost.
© Shutterstock
26 / 31 Fotos
Get some sun
- If you work from home or in a hotdesking office, try working by the window. Natural light is always great for your mood, focus, and alertness.
© Shutterstock
27 / 31 Fotos
Take supplements
- If you’re into supplements, there are definitely some energizing options out there. Panax ginseng, rhodiola rosea, and ashwagandha are caffeine-free supplements that you can find in pill or powder form.
© Shutterstock
28 / 31 Fotos
Take supplements
- Taking supplements like these can help you reduce fatigue, manage stress levels, and improve your overall energy levels.
© Shutterstock
29 / 31 Fotos
Try aromatherapy
- Last but not least, you might try inhaling an aromatherapy blend to stimulate your senses. Anything with peppermint, ginger, or eucalyptus is great. Sources: (WikiHow)
© Shutterstock
30 / 31 Fotos
© Shutterstock
0 / 31 Fotos
You might be sleep deprived
- The first, and perhaps most obvious, reason that caffeine may not affect you is that you are sleep deprived. Indeed, studies show that caffeine will not improve alertness if you only sleep for five hours three days in a row.
© Shutterstock
1 / 31 Fotos
You might be sleep deprived
- The reason for this is that when we are awake, our bodies produce a chemical called adenosine, which makes us feel tired and tells our brains to rest.
© Shutterstock
2 / 31 Fotos
You might be sleep deprived
- Caffeine may temporarily block this message, but we only get a false sense of alertness. The adenosine will continue to build up, until it eventually overpowers us.
© Shutterstock
3 / 31 Fotos
It might be genetic
- You may also have genes that mean you don’t feel the effects of caffeine so strongly. Indeed, studies show that a variation in your adenosine receptors can stop you from feeling energized by caffeine.
© Shutterstock
4 / 31 Fotos
It might be genetic - Furthermore, there are certain enzymes in your liver that determine how quickly your body breaks down caffeine.
© Shutterstock
5 / 31 Fotos
It might be genetic
- If your body metabolizes caffeine at a particularly fast rate, you may not feel the effects so much because the caffeine is simply not in your body for such a long time.
© Shutterstock
6 / 31 Fotos
You might have a tolerance
- Another reason that you don’t feel the effects of caffeine could be that you have built up a tolerance. This can happen if you drink large amounts of coffee every day.
© Shutterstock
7 / 31 Fotos
You might have a tolerance
- As with any developed tolerance, once your body becomes used to your regular intake of caffeine, you will need more to feel the same energizing effects.
© Getty Images
8 / 31 Fotos
You might have a tolerance
- Bear in mind that you may be consuming more caffeine than you think. Non-coffee products such as chocolate, soda, and kombucha contain caffeine, too.
© Shutterstock
9 / 31 Fotos
You might be dehydrated
- If you are drinking cup after cup of coffee or tea and finding that it doesn’t seem to affect your energy levels, it may be because you're dehydrated.
© Shutterstock
10 / 31 Fotos
You might be dehydrated
- It is a simple fact that the more cups of joe you drink, the more you will need to pee. And the more you pee, of course, the more dehydrated you become.
© Shutterstock
11 / 31 Fotos
You might be dehydrated
- Being dehydrated can cause us to feel more sleepy and fatigued than usual, so make sure you are drinking enough water as well.
© Shutterstock
12 / 31 Fotos
You might not be consuming enough
- It may also be the case that you are simply not consuming enough caffeine. This is likely to be the case if you are getting enough sleep every night, but one cup of coffee still doesn’t ‘work.’
© Shutterstock
13 / 31 Fotos
You might not be consuming enough
- The amount of caffeine you need to consume in order to feel energized will depend on your weight, age, gender, and genetics.
© Shutterstock
14 / 31 Fotos
You might not be consuming enough
- Bear in mind that the recommended maximum caffeine consumption per day is 400mg, which means that you can safely consume around four or five cups of coffee.
© Getty Images
15 / 31 Fotos
It might be a mid-afternoon slump
- If you find that caffeine is particularly ineffective after lunch, you may just be experiencing a mid-afternoon slump.
© Shutterstock
16 / 31 Fotos
It might be a mid-afternoon slump
- As well as disrupting sleep, one of the effects of caffeine is that it resets your body’s circadian rhythm, the biological clock that tells you when you should be asleep and awake.
© Shutterstock
17 / 31 Fotos
It might be a mid-afternoon slump
- If you are not getting enough sleep and you consume caffeine, it is natural for your body to feel dips in energy levels throughout the day, particularly after lunch.
© Shutterstock
18 / 31 Fotos
It might be your medications
- Finally, if you are taking medications regularly, it may be that these are influencing the way in which you feel the effects of caffeine.
© Shutterstock
19 / 31 Fotos
It might be your medications
- There are some medications that slow down the absorption and metabolism of caffeine in your body, and this can mean you don’t feel so energized as a result.
© Shutterstock
20 / 31 Fotos
It might be your medications
- Different drugs interact with caffeine to different extents, but studies show that these interactions are common in antidepressants, high blood pressure medications, and diabetes medications, among others.
© Shutterstock
21 / 31 Fotos
Other options
- If you are finding that caffeine isn’t affecting you and you’re looking for different ways to wake yourself up in the morning, you’re in luck: there are plenty of things you can do.
© Shutterstock
22 / 31 Fotos
Exercise
- The best thing to do is exercise before work. Even if you only walk for 20 minutes, that should be enough to raise your heart rate and leave you feeling more alert.
© Shutterstock
23 / 31 Fotos
Eat the right foods
- Eating the right foods is also a good way to ensure that you feel energized throughout the day. Choose foods rich in protein and fiber for slow-release energy.
© Shutterstock
24 / 31 Fotos
Eat the right foods
- For a quick energy boost, go for a high-carb snack. And if you’re feeling super tired, bananas, pumpkins, and citrus are a great bet.
© Shutterstock
25 / 31 Fotos
Get some sun
- If you’re lucky enough to live somewhere with abundant sunlight, make the most of it. Sitting in the sun for just a few minutes is long enough to give you a natural energy boost.
© Shutterstock
26 / 31 Fotos
Get some sun
- If you work from home or in a hotdesking office, try working by the window. Natural light is always great for your mood, focus, and alertness.
© Shutterstock
27 / 31 Fotos
Take supplements
- If you’re into supplements, there are definitely some energizing options out there. Panax ginseng, rhodiola rosea, and ashwagandha are caffeine-free supplements that you can find in pill or powder form.
© Shutterstock
28 / 31 Fotos
Take supplements
- Taking supplements like these can help you reduce fatigue, manage stress levels, and improve your overall energy levels.
© Shutterstock
29 / 31 Fotos
Try aromatherapy
- Last but not least, you might try inhaling an aromatherapy blend to stimulate your senses. Anything with peppermint, ginger, or eucalyptus is great. Sources: (WikiHow)
© Shutterstock
30 / 31 Fotos
Why caffeine isn't working for you
And what other options might do the trick
© Shutterstock
Have you ever wondered why, after your fifth cup of coffee of the day, you're still not feeling fully awake? Why you can drink 10 cups of black tea and you're still yawning? Well, there are a number of possible reasons why caffeine may not 'work' for you. Some are genetic, and some are learned. There are also plenty of things you can do if this is you and you're looking for other ways to get that energy boost in the morning or after lunch.
Curious? Check out this gallery to understand why caffeine might not work for you, and what you can do about it.
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