Surviving the Slump: Chewing Gum and Caffeine-Free Days
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Chapter 1: The Comeback Journey
Apologies for the gap in my updates! With the worst of my illness finally behind me, I managed to push myself to the gym—what a relief!
If you're interested, feel free to check out this article here.
At 4 am, it wasn't as frigid as I expected, but it still required a strong mental effort. Winter, can you just take a hike already?
Unfortunately, I skipped my workouts on both Saturday and Sunday, but I believe as long as I hit the gym five days a week, I'm still on track with my goals.
To prepare for my gym visit, I made sure my mouth was fresh and minty. My post-illness congestion left me breathing through my mouth at the gym, but I anticipated this and came prepared.
Got a dirty mouth? Time to freshen up! While this may sound like an advertisement for Orbit, I bet you didn't see chewing gum coming as my next experiment.
Indeed, chewing gum has become my latest tool in the battle against the afternoon slump. You might wonder why I chose gum. Here are the reasons:
- Alertness and Focus: Chewing increases blood flow to the brain, enhancing alertness and cognitive function.
- Mood Improvement: Chewing gum can lower cortisol, a stress-related hormone, allowing the brain to produce more serotonin—the neurotransmitter associated with happiness.
- Energy Boost: By stimulating the autonomic nervous system, chewing gum raises heart rate, leading to better oxygen circulation and, consequently, more energy.
Were you surprised by the advantages of chewing gum? I certainly was! The benefits are remarkable.
The Strategy:
Given that I already use essential oils on my walk to the gym, I plan to chew my first piece on the way back. Exercising certain muscle groups can lead to cortisol release, so gum may help mitigate that.
This seems like the ideal approach.
My second piece will be reserved for after my afternoon workout. This plan is subject to change, of course. If the gum performs even half of what it claims, it could become a staple during my editing sessions. Only time and testing will tell.
The Gum:
I’ll be using a sugar-free variety that I’ve enjoyed in the past. It contains no artificial sweeteners, as aspartame gives me terrible headaches. Its mint flavor comes from natural spearmint oil, which may not last long, but it’s quite invigorating.
That's all for now. I’ll return soon with my findings. If you enjoy my content, consider subscribing to my email list for updates on new articles—it's completely free! For inspiration, check out my YouTube channel filled with motivating videos. If you'd like to support me directly, feel free to buy me a coffee.
Catch up on any articles you may have missed. Thank you for reading and staying engaged!