As a longtime coffee, tea, chocolate, and carbonated beverages consumer, I've found that when I try to cut out caffeine cold turkey that I have some pretty severe withdrawal symptoms, including moderate nausea, migraine, a dull mind that takes longer to process, lethargy, and negative or blue outlook. It may take 12 hours to set in, but when it does it's horrid.
Currently I'm taking in close to and sometimes over 1,000 mg daily (two tall starbucks + tea and/or Coca-Cola, sometimes chocolate), which I know can't be healthy. I work quite a lot and find I'm using caffeine as a sleep delayer so I can get more work and studying done, and yet, ironically yet not surprisingly, by bedtime I can't sleep for several hours after laying down.
I would like to find an easier way to go caffeine-free. Does anyone have any tips that have worked for them?
I think the secret of cutting down on caffeine is to do it slowly. Say one cup less every couple of days perhaps later on in the day. Perhaps find an alternative to the caffeine drink and substitute a cup every so often. Juice, mineral water, herbal tea etc. Home made mint tea is lovely I think.
OK, thanks so much. I will try that. There are some days that I reach for the coffee later on in the day or early evening that I could probably forego. And, mint tea is quite delicious...
Hi; yes definitely doing it gradually will work. Maybe make your last one half regular half decaff. Also, I read it some where and noticed it for myslef that when body is low in protein it gets tired and you drink coffee. I used to drink coffee every day after lunch but I noticed when instead I make myself a protein drink (I only use the protein poweder with water), it gives me energy and I don't need the coffee. Hope this helps too. Tea of course is great as well and there a lot of deliciious teas out there these days.