Is It Right For You? The Nitty Gritty of Quitting Coffee

Coffee is a staple in the lives of millions of people. For many, it’s the friend that’s always there to give you a lift when you need it. It’s warmth on a cold day. It’s capable of making every cell in your body buzz with life and allowing you, if only for a little while, to feel like anything is possible. But what if you’re one of the many who are trying to go off coffee? With all its perks, how can you say no?
It may be your 1st time or your 278th time trying to quit coffee. You may even still be one the fence about the whole thing.  Understanding the “nitty gritty” details of potential challenges and allies can help you quit for good, if that’s what you’re aiming for.
You need to know why you continue drinking it (what purpose does it serve) before you can truly decide if you’re ready and able to live without it. Why?
If you just quit coffee cold turkey, you may find that there are gaping holes (needs) that are left unfulfilled.  When you find others things that can play the roles that coffee once did, it can be that much easier to let it go for good.
Why is coffee so appealing? What purpose does it serve in your life?
#1 – It gets you going when you’re dragging, groggy or tired.
#2 – It can carry you through stressful situations.
#3– It suppresses the appetite – Some people use the “coffee for breakfast” diet to try and lose weight. Not only is this not a healthy way to lose weight, but it stresses the body out and can actually cause negative health effects as well. Busy folks use it not as a diet program, but as a substitute (a poor one, might I add) for taking time to eat a decent breakfast.
#4 – It’s a stimulant that many work places provide to keep you productive through the end of the day (the crash when you get home is on your time, not the company’s).
#5 – It provides warmth and comfort – Nothing like a warm beverage on a cold day to make your insides melt.
#6 – It satisfies the body’s desire for bitter tastes, which we’ve largely cut out of the diet.
#7 – It’s something you do with friends – Many people’s lives have become so busy that meeting for coffee has become one of the easiest ways to connect with others. Cafes and coffee shops are convenient meeting spots for friends or professional connections to gather and talk.
#8 – It can connect you with your community – Visiting your favorite local coffee shops, chatting with the baristas, and feeling like you’re not a hermit (especially if you’re a free-lancer or student) can be an important element of your day.
#9 – It has many proven health benefits – New studies have shown that coffee (in moderation) can have a positive effect on Type 2 diabetes, certain forms of cancer, and even Alzheimer’s disease.
As you read this list, you may be thinking to yourself, “These don’t sound so bad.” In some respects, you’re right. These are all needs that we have, and coffee (up until now) has been the quick fix. The question remains: is coffee solving or suppressing the real issue at hand?
People choose to quit coffee for many reasons: saving money, health conditions, frazzled nervous system, adrenal fatigue, headaches, sugar addiction, etc. Many people experience withdrawal symptoms when weaning themselves off of coffee and caffeine. There are things you can do to make this process less traumatic and more rewarding.
These insights can help you fill the perceived holes and unsatisfied needs that are often created when you give coffee the boot. Not only can they make it that much easier for you to embrace a coffee-free life, but you’re likely to become healthier and happier in the process.
(Crowd roars with applause)
Get good sleep
Allowing your body to fully rejuvenate will mean less need for “energy crutches” like caffeine and other stimulants.
De-stress your life
People often use coffee to get them through the day, to blast through stressors (temporary solution) instead of taking the time to dissolve the stress at the core. Move your body, write, work out, dance, meditate, shower, or do whatever works for you to channel that energy.
Eat a good breakfast
Sorry, but coffee doesn’t count as breakfast. It may suppress the appetite for a bit, but often leaves you ravenously hungry come lunch time. Start the day out right by eating a healthy breakfast that works for your body. It can change the way life unfolds.
Stay hydrated
Every cell in your body needs water to function properly. When you are fully hydrated, you can perform at your peak without the need for stimulants, caffeine or sugar.
Plan ahead for the 3:00pm energy dip
We’ve all experienced hitting the “3 o’clock wall,” feeling like a crash test dummy – lifeless, crumpled, and not good for much. You can avoid this by eating a solid yet light lunch. Heavy meals = “food comas”. Make sure you’re consuming meals full of nutrient dense foods and sources of long-lasting energy—protein, complex carbs, beans, legumes, etc.
Bring snacks
Instead of reaching for coffee when you need energy, grab a handful of nuts, piece of fruit and cut-up raw vegetables. They can give you a much-needed energy boost while improving your health (double win!).
Switch to decaf
I know a lot of coffee drinkers have some pretty strong opinions about decaf coffee. If you do go off coffee (for personal or medical reasons), decaf coffee can still provide a similar taste without the massive levels of caffeine. Choosing organic water-processed coffee is ideal, as it minimizes the pesticides and synthetics used in growing and processing the beans.
Get your bitter taste elsewhere
According to Ayurveda, bitter is one of the 6 tastes call Rasas. There are numerous health benefits of bitter tasting things, including cleansing and detoxifying the body, and reducing fat. To help you transition from dark roasted coffee to herbal, non-caffeinated teas, try roasted dandelion root tea (no caffeine!). It tastes similar to coffee and is beneficial for the liver. Other bitter tastes can be found in dark leafy greens, broccoli, celery, beets, and sprouts.
Give your adrenals a break
Caffeine can be very taxing for your adrenals if you are already suffering from adrenal fatigue. If you lead a high-stress lifestyle, chances are you may fall into that category. Allow the adrenal glands to rest and recover by reducing your caffeine in take. After all, they are responsible for your “fight or flight” response, and that’s one reaction you want to be razor sharp!
Be active
There are countless benefits to movement and exercise – we’ve all heard the drill. When it comes down to it, our bodies were meant to move in dynamic ways. Regular movement—yoga, dance parties, walking, swimming, climbing trees, or bouncing on a trampoline with your favorite little person—is one of the best ways to fuel your energy battery. After a good boogey, a long hike, or an intense workout at the gym, every cell in your body feels alive and buzzing. That is as good as any dose of caffeine and all the side effects are positive ones.
Quitting coffee can be quite a journey. You may be able to simply choose to stop drinking it without any problems, or you may go through withdrawal—headaches, energy rollercoasters, and other less pleasant symptoms. The key is to keep coming back to why you’re cutting back or eliminating it in the first place.
You may have many intentions for quitting coffee. You may have a desire to feel more clean and vibrant in your body. You may wish to be less dependent on substances to show up for life. You might simply want to save your money or give your body a break.
Get real with yourself about what role or purpose coffee serves in your life. Find ways that appeal to you of getting those needs met through other methods. Give yourself a taste of what it’s like to live a coffee-free life.