Every coffee drinker knows that there’s nothing like drinking a good latte to start your day off right. But coffee can also be addicting if you become dependent on its caffeine to keep up with your busy schedule. Because coffee is a stimulant, it can wreak havoc on your sleep quality and overall health.
What does it take to cut back on caffeine to improve your health?
The Cleveland Clinic offers some useful advice for caffeine addicts looking to reduce their daily intake over time. If you need to stay away from coffee for a while, follow these 3 steps to help you wean off of it successfully.
- Do It Gradually
Let’s be honest- withdrawal is rough. Quitting cold turkey on your daily cup of joe will likely cause more severe symptoms, ultimately weakening your willpower to stay off the caffeine for good. Without that willpower, it’s much more difficult to fight the temptation of hitting a local coffee shop on your way to work.
Lower your caffeine intake slowly so that this new habit lasts longer. You can start by having one cup of coffee less each day for a week. Then, you can work your way down to a cup or two of tea every day. Once your body is used to being without hundreds of milligrams of caffeine every day, it will be much easier to try going off of it.
- Replace Your Drink
You can’t cut yourself off from a habit without replacing it with a healthy alternative. If you find yourself reaching for your French press, take the time you would otherwise use to make coffee to make a more nutritious drink. This could be a green smoothie, a cup of cold-pressed juice, or some good old-fashioned water.
You have the power to train yourself to reach for other drinks that will give you natural energy rather than a caffeine high. Your body will thank you for developing sustainable habits that help it to function at its best.
- Treat Withdrawal Symptoms
There are 8 symptoms of caffeine withdrawal as listed by healthline.com. These include:
- Headaches
- Exhaustion
- Nervousness
- Brain fog
- Depressive moods
- Irritability
- Shaky hands
- Lags in energy
Each of these symptoms have alternative ways to be treated rather than turning to coffee to fix it. Supplements, regular exercise, and hydration are some natural remedies to these troublesome side effects. Withdrawal can last 2-9 days, so you’ll need a game plan to combat these symptoms that come about when you cut out coffee.
