Using Caffeine

maryd523

I have always been a daily coffee drinker, but then back in December I decided I was going to make the unfathomable decision to completely cut out caffeine, cold turkey. I went from a daily half pot to absolutely nothing. Man, that was a rough month. I had a constant headache, including a couple migraines (my first) for weeks. My mood was fine, but my head felt awful. Yes, weaning myself would have been easier, but I'm not that kind of person. I like to just get it done.

I stuck with it. After awhile, the headaches went away. In fact, I hardly ever get headaches at all anymore, and when I do I know I'm probably dehydrated. I used to carry pain relievers around with me because I needed them so often.

I don't wake up feeling like I'm underwater anymore, and I don't experience that energy crash later (solution - more coffee). I bought a tea infuser and have a wide selection of caffeine-free herbal teas. I sip on that in the morning and a mug of chamomile tea before bed helps me sleep.

Those are all great benefits, but my favorite part of not being hooked on caffeine anymore is that I can USE it to my advantage. Every few weeks, or maybe once a month, when I have a lot to do, I will make a cup of caffeinated hot tea for my morning beverage. Just one. And I'm off like a rocket! It's truly amazing, the energy I have ALL day with one cup of tea. I feel like someone gave me a shot of speed or something, except it's a good clean, non-jittery energy. I get loads done and am in a great mood. Obviously, I can't do it very often or it will lose it's awesome effects.

I just felt like sharing, in case anyone is out there who has been pondering giving up coffee. I never even considered it, thought I could never live without it. But I can, and I love it.

cameralinds

I decided to get a job last semester at a Starbucks BECAUSE of my addiction to coffee. That way, I wouldn't ever have to make it myself, and every day I work, I get a free cup. However, over the course of the summer, I maybe have had coffee 4 times. Those four times being when I was working at a camp, filled with lots of kiddos and limited sleep.

I bought a cup today - since I was out at out mall, and I took a few drinks and was finished. I'll save it for tomorrow when I'll be moving. But I SO feel you on the energy surge. Also...I don't know if it was coincidence, but those four ounces I had made me have to poop too! I'm not sure how many mml of caffeine were in that amount, but I'm chalking it up to that just for an extra "perk."

I'm so glad you've seen such astonishing results from cutting it out. That's really great, Mary!