We all know someone who needs coffee to function. They may spend 5-6 hours per night in bed. When they wake up in the morning, the first thing they need to do is find a cup of caffeine. They might consume 3-4 cups of coffee or energy drinks per day to keep them going.
But over time, this cycle of insufficient sleep and excessive caffeine consumption can take a serious toll on your energy levels and your overall health. So this 4th of July, it's time to gain independence from your reliance on caffeine!
Why you should cut back on caffeine
Whether it's your morning coffee or an energy drink to power you through an all-nighter, it's time to reconsider the amount of caffeine you're consuming.
Caffeine Addiction is a Real Thing
While a shot or two of espresso to get your juices flowing isn't always a bad thing, you know you're too dependent when you suffer for missing a dose. Studies have actually detected negative withdrawal symptoms from people who cut themselves off from coffee!1 These include headaches, decreased alertness, depressed mood, irritability, lack of energy and difficulty concentrating...not to mention drowsiness and fatigue! These symptoms can last for as long as 2-9 days.
Curb your Coffee Craving
There has been a lot of debate over the health benefits and drawbacks of coffee, but we have a couple of solid reasons why you shouldn't let your coffee habit get out of hand.
1. It's expensive!
With Starbucks drinks running between $3 and $5, even a couple cups a day can become an expensive habit. Save yourself some cash by cutting back!
2. It's no substitute for good sleep.
We'll say it again: Using coffee to wake yourself up is no substitute for the regenerative benefits of sleep. Many vital functions in your body, like healing physically and forming memories, occur while you are sleeping. If you have any doubts about the necessity of catching some zzzs, look no farther than our recent blog post on the effects of sleep deprivation. The detriments of insufficient sleep go far beyond the drowsiness and fatigue that coffee can cure.
So how do you get control over your caffeine intake, especially if you just realized that 10 cups of coffee a day might really be too much?
Tips for How to Break Your Coffee Habit
1. Keep the routine, ditch the coffee.
One of the key components to habit is ritual. Maybe you down an energy drink before you hit the gym to get your energy up, or you have coffee in the morning, a coke at lunch, and espresso with dinner. Try switching it up by replacing that coffee with tea or a half-caffeinated variety.
2. Cut back gradually.
If you can't handle the side effects of letting go of coffee all in one shot, practice a gradual reduction in your consumption. Skip the afternoon latte, or drink a smaller cup than usual.
3. Get more sleep!
The easiest way to rebound from letting go of coffee...get more sleep, so you no longer rely on it!
How much coffee do you drink? Do you think you could cut back, or is your cup of joe too important to your day? Share in the comments!
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