In 2017 I quit coffee for the entire month of October (you can read all about it here). During that period of my life I had just changed careers and was working in an office environment where coffee was more accessible than water. As soon as I woke up I started my day with coffee, then as soon as I got to work I would spend $4 on another cup. By 11am I was sometimes downing yet another and at 3pm when that caffeine low would hit I would make myself another one to get me through the last few hours of the day.
After I had my 30 day detox from Soy Lattes I appreciated coffee a lot more and promised myself I wouldn’t consume it the way I had become accustomed to doing so. I swapped out the milk filled lattes for short blacks and only allowed myself 1 a day. Fast forward to 2019 and those habits I vowed never to break have slowly crept back. I’m consuming an average of 3 a day and I know my body doesn’t like it. One of the major side effects of caffeine is increased levels of anxiety which has been a real issue for me over the last month. That’s when I know it’s time to give my body a rest.
Below is a few positive factors into doing this both for your health and your wallet.
Financial Savings: The average person spends $1400 per year on coffee, whether it’s a take away from your favourite cafe or at home from your Nespresso machine. That’s INSANE!! As someone who loves to travel, that is a return ticket to Europe. By giving up coffee for just 30 days I will save up to $100 that I can put towards my next trip away.
Lower Blood Pressure: Quitting coffee or caffeine can lower your blood pressure and keep your heart from working as hard.
Better Sleep: I have been struggling to get a good nights sleep over the last few months and the lack of coffee in my system has definitely helped. Caffeine takes up to 12 hours to leave your system and that only doubles the more you consume.
More Hydrated: I love water and consuming your daily average has never been an issue for me. Normally I would drink around 1.5/2 litres a day, however I have found my thirst to be even more and am currently drinking up to 3 litres everyday (and a lot of trips to the bathroom).
Less Anxiety: Many people report that caffeine increases their anxiety levels. This has to do with how caffeine affects the adenosine receptors in our brain and because caffeine stimulates the adrenaline glands.
A Cleaner Environment: Coffee addiction places a tremendous strain on our natural resources. Just think of the number of plastic bottles, cans, and cups that have to be produced in order to meet the demand.
Matcha or Turmeric lattes are a great alternative if you still want a cup of something hot to start your day. Both are high in antioxidants, good for you gut but most importantly 100% caffeine free.