Coffee. The debate goes in circles about whether or not the positive health effects of coffee (high in antioxidants, people who drink coffee daily are blank x more likely to live longer.... etc.) outweigh the negative effects (heightened anxiety levels, heart palpitations, nervous system overstimulation, difficulty sleeping). Everyone is different, but I can't do it.
Ayurveda explains that your unique constitution and current imbalances determine how well you tolerate caffeine. A Kapha type may be able to handle a regular cup of coffee. It could help them feel energized and inspired to get out and about. A Pitta type might feel the sudden uptick of energy in the form of a hot flash or a moment of irritability. A Vata type should proceed with caution along the caffeine highway. Already predisposed to higher anxiety levels, the jolt of caffeine can easily spin a Vata type into overwhelm.
Here's what I can tell you about my personal healing journey:
Without caffeine, I feel A MILLION times better!
I discovered coffee my senior year of high school when I was suffering from anorexia. Taking in little energy from food meant I was mostly running on fumes and really struggling with constipation (no food in, nothing comes out). Coffee helped me feel energized and able to go to the bathroom. An unsustainable short-term solution, but it worked.
Off to college and I relied on coffee to power through the long hours trying to balance school, work and a social life. Coffee shops were where we studied. I didn't overthink it at the time.
Motherhood brought exhaustion and I found a boost from my daily coffee habit.
But then I didn't. Intuitively, I knew it was doing more harm than good. My adrenals felt worn out, my body was wired and tired, and my belly was bloated every afternoon. My nervous system had simply had enough. To be honest, I was terrified to give it up. What would my energy levels ACTUALLY be without it? I was afraid of feeling exhausted, but I knew I had to let myself rest. So I stopped all caffeine and to my delight my body REJOICED! No more daily energy rollercoasters, afternoon crashes, blood sugar swings or coffee breath! A huge reduction in anxiety, a calm belly and no more constipation or bloating.
It was so much easier than I had anticipated and I am so grateful to feel in tune with my body again.
Do you want to quit the coffee habit but are struggling with actually doing it?
With summer coming to an end and fall starting to show her beautiful colors, this is an excellent time to slow down, kick the caffeine and honor your body's wisdom.
Here is what helped me the most:
Teeccino Herbal Coffee This stuff is the bomb! Tastes very similar to coffee, comes in gluten-free varieties, and is available in grounds or tea bags on Amazon. So delish. So easy!
Do half-caff for a week and wean yourself down to 100% decaf.
Eat bitter greens. There are 6 tastes: bitter, astringent, pungent, sweet, salty and sour. The average American diet doesn't include bitter, therefore contributing to the overall mass coffee craving. Try adding bitter foods to your meals such as kale, turmeric and eggplant.
WATER! Tons of water! Add slices of lemon, oranges, raspberries, basil or mint. Make it pretty and drink it up. I bought AHA sparkling water for a treat if I was craving something different.
If your intuition is asking you to slow down, I highly recommend stopping the caffeine. You can approach it as an experiment if that helps.
Your intuition is always right.
I promise you will feel better!
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