Finals week is the most stressful time of the year. Your life revolves around essays, projects, and exams, and you barely ever have time to shower or sleep. Because of this, many students resort to overloading on coffee and energy drinks in order to ensure their end-of-semester success.

Unfortunately, drinking these types of beverages can often lead to digestive issues and bouts of anxiety, making finals week even harder than it needs to be. I know that during my time in college I've consumed an immense amount of coffee during finals weeks, and I can honestly say that it helped me survive, but I will also say that it made me feel like utter trash.

Drinking infinite amounts of coffee during finals week will most likely take a toll on your body, but fortunately, there are alternatives that can help you stay as focused, alert, and awake as coffee does without all of the negative side effects. Here are some suggestions for drinks that can help you thrive during stressful times.

1. Green tea

Green tea has a good amount of caffeine, which can help a lot throughout the day when you’re sick of drinking coffee 24/7. In addition, it has L-Theanine, an amino acid that has been proven to help with concentration and focus, as well as anxiety.

So if you drink green tea, you’ll still get your caffeine fix, but you won’t be as jittery or anxious as you would be if you chose coffee. Another important component of green tea, EGCG, which is the main component of Green Tea that gives it phenomenal medicinal properties.

The combination of L-Theanine and EGCG can help you become more focused and provide a solid basis for stable energy and productivity throughout the day.

2. Kombucha

Kombucha has only recently become more popular among the American population, but it has been used as a nutritious, energy-inducing drink for centuries in other cultures.

Kombucha is a fermented tea that has a tangy taste and many nutritional benefits. It can help your body with the detoxification process, reduce some symptoms of anxiety and depression, and provide energy that isn’t a product of caffeine.

If you want the tea to be caffeinated, you can always make your own kombucha at home and choose a tea with a high caffeine content to ensure that you gain the nutritional benefits of kombucha but also the energy benefits of caffeine.

3. Hot chocolate

Okay, so hot chocolate doesn’t exactly have an insane amount of caffeine (about 10mg compared to the 60mg in a small cup of coffee), but it is most definitely delicious, so it will keep you awake for as long as you need. It can also feel like a treat during times of stress and chaos, especially during midterms or finals.

Although you could go all out and get the hot chocolate with the giant marshmallows and double chocolate flavor, try to stick to plain hot chocolate in times of stress as the additional sugar from the additives could make you crash later on.

4. Yerba mate

There is a ton of articles online documenting the health benefits of Yerba Mate tea, often claiming that all of its benefits outweigh those of coffee. Yerba Mate tea is a stimulant tea that offers a balanced increase in energy, without a crash later on during the day.

People who drink Yerba Mate often say that it is almost the same as drinking coffee, except it does not cause the jitters, anxiety, or crash associated with most coffee drinks. In addition to its stimulant effect,

Yerba Mate can boost the immune system during times of stress, increase your concentration and focus, and ensure that you get your daily vitamins. It is one of the best choices for people who are trying to take a break from coffee without going through awful caffeine withdrawal symptoms.

5. Coconut water

Coconut Water boosts energy levels and increases the body’s metabolism without making it feel like you’re drinking a stimulant. It hydrates the body, which is important when you’re slaving away in the library for hours trying to write a research paper.

We often forget that our energy levels are dependent on our hydration, and coconut water is one of the most hydrating drinks sold in the US, so why not give it a try? If you find that water is boring, spice it up and add coconut water to keep hydrated during the day with a low-calorie, nutritionally-dense drink choice.

So the next time you head over to Starbucks during finals week, consider getting a London fog latte or an herbal tea to calm your nerves and ensure a high level of concentration.