Coffee is an amazing substance that is relied upon for its ability to help us get stuff done, be creative and... yes... go to the bathroom in the morning ;-)
And when you realize you need to take a break from it, you have a big dilemma in front of you. Not only are you worried you will be too tired and dragging every day, but you are also worried you won't be able to go to the bathroom regularly. Add to this the potential for a massive withdrawal headache for several days, and it starts to feel like it would be stupid for you to think about quitting.
But it's not stupid at all. It's really good to think about giving habitual substances up every once in a while.
For the record, I don't think it's bad to drink caffeine. It works for some body types in moderate doses. But many people are not helping themselves by drinking coffee. You know who you are.
Like me last week. I was forced to give up caffeinated beverages altogether. I had a headache for 3 days. I kicked myself for getting into a habit with caffeine in December. (Just because I got a master's degree in Ayurveda 7 years ago doesn't mean I don't screw up sometimes.)
Here's how it happened: I saw this David Lynch coffee in Whole Foods in Tarzana, CA, before it closed in the pandemic, and I just love David Lynch (Twin Peaks, original Dune movie, etc.), so I really wanted to try his coffee. It says,"Ideas In Every Bag". That sounded fun and creative. It was, until I started getting headaches.
Two years later, I saw the unfinished bag in my cabinet and said to myself, "Screw it, I want more ideas." That started a caffeine habit that I regretted a month later.
Giving up caffeine can improve digestion and headaches for a lot of people once the body fully detoxes. Others experience reduced anxiety and intensity, less twitching and spasming, more comfortable periods, and better sleep. A lot of people like themselves better on caffeine because of the increased alertness, but it would be better if they liked themselves off caffeine too. (Breathing increases alertness, and it is free.)
It is difficult to give things up, but when it's the right move, you will feel SO much BETTER on the other side of it.
Here are three things to consider drinking in the morning if you are giving up coffee for a while (or indefinitely, you saucy minx):
Warm water with lemon - Many people drink coffee for the digestive stimulation, and this beverage does the trick. Simply make some hot water and squeeze a slice of lemon into it.
Other warm bitter drinks - Warm beverages made with dandelion tea, chicory coffee, cocoa/cacao or even decaffeinated coffee can still increase movement in the digestive tract, without bringing on a caffeinated coffee-induced migraine later in the day. Part of the reason that coffee works on digestion is because it's bitter, and bitter tasting substances stimulate movement. You can get bitter without caffeine.
Medhya rasayana teas - Sorry, I try not to throw around too much Sanskrit, but there is a whole stable of Ayurvedic herbs have beneficial effects for the mind. We refer to these herbs as medhya rasayanas in Ayurveda. Two of my personal favorites are brahmi bacopa (Bacopa monnieri) and shanhkapushpi (Convolvulus pleuricaulis), though the former can be a bit strong for some people.
So you have options if you are going to be brave and kick the habit for a while. You know the saying, "If you love something, let it go..."
What do you think? Can you be cool without caffeine?
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