The modern world runs on caffeine. Not only can it help you wake up in the morning, but can keep you focused, and fend off feelings of tiredness as you deal with all the responsibilities this world can throw.
However, it’s true that for most people, coffee culture and a little caffeine where and when they need it can be ideal. Perhaps you have a big meeting coming up, or maybe you’re looking after a newborn in your household and need a boost to feel like a human being that morning.
All of this is highly relatable and understandable. Moreover, caffeine is generally harmless unless you have a physical condition or wish to restrict it for better health and lessened anxiety. Always follow your doctor’s advice no matter what.
However, is there a way to limit caffeine and avoid relying on it too much, without giving up coffee or other enjoyable drinks? In this post, we’ll discuss a few methods you can use for the best results.
Save Coffee For Essential Pickups Or Workouts
You don’t have to make this process more complex than it has to be – one simple way to reduce caffeine is to just use it when you really need it. This means not drinking coffee out of habit or every day, but saving it for those moments when you genuinely need a pick-me-up. It’ll have more of an effect this way, too, as we tend to grow resistant to caffeine after a little while otherwise. For example, if you know you have an important meeting at work and you want to be switched on, or if you’re tired in the morning but going to the gym, having a cup of coffee can help your performance.
This way, your body isn’t as used to the constant stream of caffeine most coffee enjoyers consume, so when you do drink it, you may get a real boost (and perhaps more of a crash, but there are ways to soothe this such as with more hydration). This’ll save you a good amount of money over the months you practice it, too. Not to mention that when you work out, you tend to “work off” the effects of the caffeine and feel better for it.
Invest In Higher Quality, Better Coffee You Drink Less Of
Higher-quality coffee tends to have a richer and more complex flavor profile, which can make the experience of drinking it more satisfying and a real treat to enjoy. When you have a truly good cup of coffee imported with great beans and even natural flavorings, you might find that naturally, you require less of it. This is more expensive of course, and so having less on hand can also reduce your desire to drink it all in a few moments. You can also match this with a coffeetool for your new coffeemaker, allowing you to feel a little more artisanal about the whole process.
This might seem a little much on the surface, but think about it through other means – if you were trying to reduce your bread intake, opting for nicer sourdoughs you only have for toast with breakfast a couple of days a week can be a great alternative to keeping mass-produced loaves in your cupboard. Give it a try and see if it works! Of course, you can also have good-quality decaf around if you really appreciate the taste.
Try Matcha Green Tea To Switch Things Up
Matcha green tea is delicious and has a similar caffeine count to coffee. It’s a type of powdered green tea that has a slightly lower caffeine content than coffee, but it still provides a gentle, sustained energy boost, and is packed with antioxidants so it prevents you from crashing quite as hard, and the energy boost feels a little smoother at that.
Moreover, matcha contains an amino acid called L-theanine, which assists with calmness and focus. This can be helpful if you dislike the jittery feelings of coffee or if it’s been giving you anxiety as of late. The ritual is also quite similar to making coffee but a little more involved, you’ll use the ground powder of green tea leaves and use a small bowl and brush to create a froth. This can then be poured into a cup with warm water added to make a delicious drink. It also works great with oat milk. If you pair this with a nice herbal tea afterward to calm down, you’ll have a lovely experience.
With this advice, you’ll be able to take a healthier approach to caffeine and coffee without necessarily feeling limited to cutting it out.
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