giving up coffee (caffeine)

I have given it up for short periods of time (Lenten penance). I went down gradually. Sometimes I would get a slight headache, or feel tired in the afternoon for a few days if I was used to having something then. I was never consuming vast quantities, though.

I did 3 times in my life: twice when pregnant (although, not completely, but very rarely), and more recently for an elimination diet. When I knew I was going to be giving up caffeine about a month ago, I started by reducing the amount of grounds in my afternoon coffee, then after a few days eliminated that cup entirely. I also put 2 T of grounds instead of 3 in my morning cup. I didn't have a lot of time to do this, maybe a week and a half. The day I didn't have any caffeine was AWFUL! Headache all day that ibuprofen or Aleve didn't touch. The next day was better in that the ibuprofen seemed to help, but so did taking a nap. For the next week/week and a half, I would often get a slight headache in the afternoon, but if I could take a quick nap--it helped.

I've been off of it for over 3 weeks, and I hate to admit I really do have a more steady stream of energy. I really felt like I could've used a cup this morning because I didn't sleep well last night, but I survived and it really wasn't bad once I got going.

Once I'm "allowed" to have coffee again, I probably won't drink as much as I used to. I also may save it for lunctime, as it seems that's when I actually seem to need a boost more.

goal06082021 wrote: »

If you like the taste of coffee but want to limit or avoid the caffeine, you'll want to step yourself down gradually - mix your full-strength coffee with a little bit of decaf, then a little more, then a little more, until you're drinking just decaf. If you brew a cup of decaf and just go straight there, your body will taste coffee, brace for that sweet sweet stimulant hit of caffeine, and you'll crash hard. Ask me how I know.

Even if you don't brew yourself a cup of straight decaf at all but just cut out the caffeine abruptly, you're likely to crash hard, if you've been drinking caffeinated coffee regularly. Your body is waiting for that stimulant whether or not you offer it a cup of decaf. I never used to drink decaf but was a regular multi-cup drinker of coffee during the week, but no so regular on the weekends. If I didn't have any coffee on Saturday, I'd wake up with a headache on Sunday that would last until I realized what was causing it and consumed some caffeine.

I did it once for about 6 months when I was in my early 20s. It started as a lenten challenge and then I carried it on. I went from about 7/8 cups a day to 0 and I can tell you it was dreadful. I was falling asleep at my desk and suffering headaches, it took about two weeks to adjust.

I would follow the advice of those who suggest cutting down gradually. Make sure to drink lots of water as good hydration will keep you more alert. Eventually you will grow used to it and your energy levels will balance out. I currently only have 1 cup in the early morning and can go til the next morning without another - your body can and will adapt, you just have to sit through the discomfort.

I've cut it out for periods of time, including for Lent and to work on sleep issues, as well as just because I was drinking too much of it.

I've done it both the gradually cut down and all at once ways. The latter left me with a mild headache but that only happened for a couple of days, and tiredness. The gradual way was better. IME, once you adjust to not having it, you are fine energywise without it. In particular, I find that if I don't drink too much (or in the afternoon), I sleep much better, and when I sleep better I don't miss it (other than the taste), so if it does help your insomnia, that should be the case for you.

I actually keep meaning to switch to decaf, at least after a cup or two, since I am currently both drinking too much and not sleeping all that well again.

I gave up caffeine because it raised my blood pressure. I started by drinking half calf and then cutting down more and more each week. I still have/had energy but now if I drink one cup of the caffeinated stuff I'll be on overdrive and possibly have trouble sleeping at night. Even a cup of tea too late in the afternoon will do that now.

I gave up caffeine for a while a few years ago, I got very bad headaches for a few days but it was manageable.

I now have coffee but I do a 50/50 mix of real coffee and decaf, so it is a lower caffeine content. That works quite well for me.

Following this... I drink way too much coffee. Like 4-5 cups per day or more.. (usually black) I don’t feel any buzz from it at all.. it’s like water. I’m probably just so used to it. Slowly going down to 1-2 cups per day..

Sigh.