Writing if you’re feeling sluggish isn’t fun or productive. I’ve
always found it difficult to get going in the mornings, which is why I’ve
looked into natural stimulants that help us to wake up our brains.
Guarana comes from the roasted seeds of flowering Brazilian plants. It contains a bit more caffeine than coffee, but many people find it easier on their digestion (if I drink coffee on an empty stomach I tend to get a stomach ache).
It doesn’t cause the jitters some people get from coffee, and its stimulating effects last longer.
You can get guarana supplements at any health food store. As with coffee, it’s not a good idea to take them too close to your bedtime.
Naturally you shouldn’t make any stimulant a substitute for getting enough sleep and rest, and this is not medical advice—if in doubt, consult your doctor, especially if you have high blood pressure.
(Need to focus? Get my book, "Focus: use the power of targeted thinking to get more done," published by Pearson and available from Amazon or your other favorite book seller.)