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If there's one thing I've learnt about giving up coffee, it's to make sure you know you're doing it.I went cold turkey without thinking about it, then went through withdrawal the hard way.
Here's what happened.
About 3 weeks ago, my small cafetiere broke so I switched to making coffee in my BIG cafetiere.
After a week of drinking far too much coffee and feeling my anxiety skyrocket, I stopped drinking it.
It wasn't a conscious decision. I just kinda... stopped.
2/
After a week of drinking far too much coffee and feeling my anxiety skyrocket, I stopped drinking it.
It wasn't a conscious decision. I just kinda... stopped.
2/
Instead, I'd drink a cup of tea or two throughout the day. I didn't think about it much beyond that.
Big mistake.
I went from ~500mg+ caffeine a day to <100mg overnight. For someone with well-trained caffeine tolerance, this is a big deal.
*Enter the withdrawal symptoms*
3/
Big mistake.
I went from ~500mg+ caffeine a day to <100mg overnight. For someone with well-trained caffeine tolerance, this is a big deal.
*Enter the withdrawal symptoms*
3/
Days 1-2: not a lot, maybe a mild headache.
Days 3-5: irritable, poor focus.
Days 5-8: no focus, high anxiety and unbelievably bad fatigue.
Day 9+: ...things are actually better now?4/
I'm now drinking maybe ~65mg or so a day.
A mug of English breakfast tea when I get up, followed by a chai or green tea later in the morning.
I'm still occasionally tired, but nowhere near as much as days 5-8.
I think things will be settled completely by day 14.
5/
A mug of English breakfast tea when I get up, followed by a chai or green tea later in the morning.
I'm still occasionally tired, but nowhere near as much as days 5-8.
I think things will be settled completely by day 14.
5/
Here are three things I've learnt:1) My caffeine dependence was bigger than I realised
2) Quitting caffeine is hard
3) Going cold turkey is NOT a good idea
6/
And here are three benefits I've realised:1) More consistent energy levels (no highs and lows)
2) Higher quality sleep
3) Less of a zombie when I wake up
7/
Would I do it again?
100%!
I love coffee, but I'd been overdoing it. I think I'd just take a more 'strategic approach' next time.
It's not like I won't drink coffee ever again, but for now... I'm quite happy with where I am.
/End
100%!
I love coffee, but I'd been overdoing it. I think I'd just take a more 'strategic approach' next time.
It's not like I won't drink coffee ever again, but for now... I'm quite happy with where I am.
/End
