A little over three years ago, I gave up coffee.
It was Boxing Day, 2018. And I felt sick as a dog.
Okay, I had a hangover from way too much vino. And on top of that, I’d drunk two coffees and a black tea that morning.
Heart palpitations, nausea, stomach issues, and a headache. And the feeling of being on a razor’s edge.
It was more than a hangover.
It was the way I’d been feeling for months.
And the jumpy breaths and heart palpitations were getting to me.
There wasn’t anything wrong with my heart. I’d been down that exploratory path with no results.
And stress.
Well. Fine.
Work and life had been stressful. But that was the last eight years of my life. Why was this year any different?
It couldn’t be because of my eating habits.
I’d been down that road before too. Dairy-free, gluten-free, wheat free, you get the picture.
Deep down, I knew my problem.
It was that lovely, dark brown elixir that kept me going.
That snapped me out of the daily brain fog.
The crux I held onto to get me through the day.
Coffee.
Sigh.
It was time to give …. it … up.
Well, to try to, at least!
Giving Up Coffee
When I decided to give up coffee, I knew it would change my life.
I knew it would kill my social life at work and that having a ‘coffee meeting’ would now have a new meaning.
I also knew I’d have a hard time finding a substitute and that I would have to grapple with brain fog.
However, going on three years coffee free, I’m the same woman, albeit with new and healthier habits.
So, how did I do it?
Well, I drank lots of tea (green, black, English Breakfast, and Ginger and Lemongrass tea) are my personal faves.
And I upped my water intake daily. I purchased a stainless steel 1.5L bottle that I top up every day and endeavour to finish.
I also started walking in the morning before starting work as a way to help wake me up. Working from home and working in my own business gave me more flexibility to structure my days around this.
Furthermore, I started eating a healthier and more filling breakfast that included some protein on most days. Anything eggs, sometimes bacon, greek yoghurt, fruit and nuts, gluten-free toast with nut butter with sliced banana and crushed nuts on top. Those a just a few of the foods I eat for brekkie these days.
Additionally:
- I focussed on getting a better night’s sleep, which was helped due to less antsiness and heart palpitations. Sleep meditations have been a godsend.
- I quit drinking wine, which also helped me sleep better and not wake up groggy.
- I decreased my daily sugar intake.
Lastly, I persisted through the cravings and times when I thought to myself, ‘but one won’t hurt’. Remembering the side effects helped to talk me out of this feeling.
The pros of giving up coffee
What I didn’t expect were the MANY pros that came with giving up coffee.
- I’m saving money! Let’s face it, paying for a cup of tea isn’t the same as paying for a kick-ass coffee. (In most cases, you’re paying for a tea bag, tap water and the cup. Unless you BYO a cup, and then you’re paying for just the bag and tap water!).
- I’m less dehydrated as I drink more water and herbal tea. For years, I’d drink a coffee or two during the day. I’d follow that up with a glass or two of wine in the evening – and not much water. (No wonder I felt like shit!). On a side note, I also gave up wine two years ago. I KNOW!
- I no longer feel like I’m going to have a heart attack. This was a biggy since I thought I was having heart issues! But, after getting a load of tests and wearing a heart monitor for a week, the Doctors found there was nothing wrong with my ticker. Which meant it was either stress or … coffee! (Okay, it was a combo of stress, coffee and wine, but quitting coffee – and wine – has definitely helped).
- My anxiety has been more manageable since I gave up coffee. It’s still there, but it’s no longer as intense.
- I no longer experience caffeine withdrawal, jitters, nausea or the intense mid-afternoon slump. I used to try and combat these by drinking more coffee or sugared tea or eating chocolate or carbs. Or I’d want to curl up in a ball under my desk to nap.
- I’m less wasteful and am helping save the environment by using fewer disposable cups, lids and spoons! (As I would always forget my reusable cup).
- I’m exploring new things to drink. Herbal tea, iced tea, smoothies. There are so many tasty non-caffeinated, non-sugared concoctions to try!
- My tea cup and pot collection is growing (okay, I’m obsessed. You could also consider this a con since cupboard space is a premium in our house).
- Along with the actual coffee, almond milk, cow milk, and rice milk never agreed with my stomach. And so my stomach is very thankful for my saying ‘see ya later’ to coffee!
The cons of giving up coffee
- I miss the kick-start coffee gave me in the morning. Three years in, and I still haven’t found anything to replace the caffeine hit I get from coffee. Brain fog is a killer!
- I miss the social aspect of ‘getting coffee’.
- I tend to skip my breaks. Getting ‘tea’ with work colleagues isn’t the same as grabbing a coffee.
- I miss the cult of finding a ‘great coffee’ and cafe. Finding a good ‘tea’ is not the same, and I detest paying $4+ for a cup with a teabag in it!
End Note
I miss coffee.
I really do.
It especially hits me when I’m fatigued or struggling to find the motivation to get started for the day.
But these days, not drinking coffee is much better for my health.
Instead, I opt for drinking more water, a morning walk, and various teas.
And when I want to treat myself, I savour a deluxe hot chocolate.
