Hooked on caffeine? Yeah, us, too. And we know there are some uncomfortable side effects of consuming too much caffeine. But we’ve got some good news, too: It is possible to have a healthy relationship with caffeine. Intrigued? Let’s explore some responsible caffeine habits.
Set a Curfew
One of the first steps to responsible caffeine consumption is setting a “curfew.” This means enjoying your caffeine before a specific time each day. Once that hour strikes, no more caffeine. The idea is to allow your body enough time to metabolize and eliminate most of the caffeine from your system before you’re ready for bed.
Take Some Time
Levels of the stress hormone cortisol are highest in the morning, not long after you wake up. Give your body time to adjust and level out before bombarding and overloading your system with caffeine.
Avoid It Entirely on Certain Days
Another helpful habit to adopt is avoiding caffeine entirely on certain days – specifically when you’re particularly stressed or haven’t slept well. While it may seem like caffeine could help in these situations, it can actually exacerbate sleep issues and stress. Instead, consider stress-relieving activities like yoga or meditation.
Consumption Control
If you feel like you need caffeine to function, rewire yourself to consume less. While quitting cold turkey sounds like the best way to give up caffeine, the reality is that most of us need a more realistic approach. This is also helpful if you want to avoid the side effects of cutting off caffeine entirely.
Swap for Decaf
One way to get your caffeine fix without overdoing it is to opt for decaf drinks. These options typically contain 15%-30% less caffeine than regular beverages.
On and Off
Establish your own schedule of “on” days when you consume caffeine and “off” days when you don’t. This keeps your body in balance while still getting to enjoy the benefits caffeine has to offer.
The Bottom Line
Too much caffeine can have adverse effects on the body, including sleep problems, stomach issues, heightened anxiety, and more. If you want to have your caffeine and drink it, too, make sure you’re practicing healthy caffeine habits.