First off, let me say that I am not someone who has never had caffeine in their lives, and is telling you what I think might work. I used to be an absolute caffeine and sugar junky, to the point where if I tried to quit, I would feel as though I were suddenly stricken with the flu. I was a hard-core caffeine junkie by probably about 16-17 years, and finally got myself off of it, and am much better for it. Sure, sometimes I miss that sudden jolt of energy that only caffeine can provide, but on the other hand, I enjoy a much higher level of sustainable energy (without the shares.)
Here are my three basic strategies that I used to finally get myself off of caffeine. It worked for me, and it can work for you.
1. Reduce gradually. Let's say that you drink on average eight cups of coffee per day. Well, if you go to bed one night and decide that you aren't going to have any coffee the next day, then you are in for a world of hurt the next couple of days and you probably won't make it. Don't make it harder on yourself than it has to be. Gradually get yourself off of caffeine, instead of going cold turkey. If you do drink eight cups of coffee per day, then consciously reduce that number to seven for the next week. Your body will become accustomed to seven cups of coffee per day without much stress. Then after a week, reduce that to six, and so on, until you are down to just one cup of coffee per day, probably in the morning.
2. Try and coincide your drop to zero cups of coffee per day with some time off of work. Whether it's an extended holiday or vacation, you are probably going to be pretty grumpy for a couple of days once you finally drop the caffeine from your diet. If you have to go to work, chances are more likely that you will relent and have a cup of coffee, because of the stress of your day. If you schedule dropping that last cup of coffee on a long weekend, then there are no excuses. Keep in mind that you are in for a couple of days of dull headaches and grumpiness, but it will soon pass and you will feel great.
3. Substitute for the first week. That first week when you finally drop coffee from your diet, try substituting the coffee for a green tea. There is still caffeine in most green teas, but much less than a cup of coffee. This will take a bit of the edge off, and if you want to completely rid yourself of caffeine, you can switch to a decaf green tea.
I don't advocate going cold turkey for dropping caffeine from your diet. It's a hard drug to get yourself off of, and you will likely find yourself cracking if you try and go cold turkey. Give yourself a three month period to get yourself off of caffeine, and you will have a much more pleasant experience. And think of all the money you will save when in three months you don't have to go to Starbucks three times a day!
Filed under: Motivational
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