Pls help me reduce caffeine intake

[Joseph41]

Since I started uni (2013), I've been smashing the coffee. At the start of this year, it was at the point where if I didn't have coffee in the morning, I was headachey and generally grumpy. Not good.

I had also been pretty anxious, and figured the coffee wasn't helping, so I decided to get nothing but decaf.

Honestly, I've noticed few if any negative effects from the change. It's a bit more expensive where I go (and I already spend half my earnings on coffee, already - again, not good), but worth it I think. If I have a headache in the morning, a decaf coffee seems to do the trick, anyway. I've also been drinking way more tea, which seems inherently more relaxing for some reason.

So, I've had three caffeinated coffees since I made the charge at the start of this year: one when I went out with my brother, one in the form of an iced latte where I forgot to order decaf, and one as we speak (hah - this is what reminded me to make this thread), which was extremely kindly gifted.

I'm going to post updates here if relevant. I figure quite a few people are probably in a similar position. I put this off for ages because I was like, "nah man - that's never gonna work - it'll be horrible" and whatnot. But honestly, it's been pretty sweet. Have been less anxious (not sure if correlation or causation).

Caffeinated coffee: who needs it?

EDIT: Also, if anybody else wants to join me on this journey, feel free to post your own updates in this thread!

[K888]

Joseph41 and not drinking coffee? Those words just don't belong in a sentence together.

[Joseph41]

Joseph41 and not drinking coffee? Those words just don't belong in a sentence together.

Oh, I'm still drinking coffee.

Just - decaf.

[kauac]

Since I started uni (2013), I've been smashing the coffee. At the start of this year, it was at the point where if I didn't have coffee in the morning, I was headachey and generally grumpy. Not good.

I had also been pretty anxious, and figured the coffee wasn't helping, so I decided to get nothing but decaf.

Honestly, I've noticed few if any negative effects from the change. It's a bit more expensive where I go (and I already spend half my earnings on coffee, already - again, not good), but worth it I think. If I have a headache in the morning, a decaf coffee seems to do the trick, anyway. I've also been drinking way more tea, which seems inherently more relaxing for some reason.

So, I've had three caffeinated coffees since I made the charge at the start of this year: one when I went out with my brother, one in the form of an iced latte where I forgot to order decaf, and one as we speak (hah - this is what reminded me to make this thread), which was extremely kindly gifted.

I'm going to post updates here if relevant. I figure quite a few people are probably in a similar position. I put this off for ages because I was like, "nah man - that's never gonna work - it'll be horrible" and whatnot. But honestly, it's been pretty sweet. Have been less anxious (not sure if correlation or causation).

Caffeinated coffee: who needs it?

Hi...
That's great that you have been able to make the switch!  Just curious, have you noticed any changes in your energy levels since then?

[Joseph41]

Hi...
That's great that you have been able to make the switch!  Just curious, have you noticed any changes in your energy levels since then?

Honestly, not really! I always had a sneaking suspicion that the whole caffeine = energy thing for me was a bit of a placebo, and I think that's shown to be the case (so far). If anything, I'm probably less lethargic.

The most energetic I've ever been was in Year 12, where I drank no coffee, drank heaps of water, and got to bed early haha. Go figure!

[kauac]

Honestly, not really! I always had a sneaking suspicion that the whole caffeine = energy thing for me was a bit of a placebo, and I think that's shown to be the case (so far). If anything, I'm probably less lethargic.

The most energetic I've ever been was in Year 12, where I drank no coffee, drank heaps of water, and got to bed early haha. Go figure!

Yeah, that makes sense! I think that drinking coffee has more to do with a psychological fulfillment than actually providing more 'energy' - hence why you haven't really had any adverse effects when you switched to decaf.

I vouch for using natural 'energy', though! Early morning endorphins from exercising seems to work magic for me! 

[Joseph41]

100%!

In saying that, i accidentally left my half-finished coffee at work just now, and I'm a little distraught haha. It's too sunny to walk back. I'm not used to having something to hold on the way home.

[elysepopplewell]

Maybe you can read up on the startling unethical sources of a lot of coffee, and then lower your intake even more to only sustainable farmed/produced/sold coffee brands?

Maybe this isn't helpful for getting rid of the headache, but it means getting coffee is a little more inconvenient (for a good cause) and might stop you from getting the extra coffee here or there.

[Joseph41]

^Great call. I am woefully ignorant in this area. I'll do some research, but do you know if on the whole instant coffee is any better?

[PhoenixxFire]

I have always thought the headaches in the morning were a result of being dehydrated - coffee is generally the first thing people drink so they assume that it is why they feel better. It's crazy how much of a difference hydration makes, my youngest brother swims a lot and they can never make time cycles that they can swim easily in the afternoon, their coach attributes it entirely due to not drinking during the night.

I never really drank coffee until a couple of months before my bio exam. It got really bad (2 iced coffees at 5pm sort of bad), I had mostly stopped drinking coffee over the holidays but now that we're back at school I find myself having one most days. I'm trying to stop it (I have only had them in the mornings), I had a juice today instead (and it was cheaper too). My problem is I don't like soft drink and juice is too sweet to drink more than occasionally so if I want to buy a cold drink i'm left with either flavoured milk or iced coffee. I'm definitely not planning on having coffee in the afternoon any more and hopefully I can stop buying coffee (and use the instant stuff instead). It's so expensive!

[elysepopplewell]

^Great call. I am woefully ignorant in this area. I'll do some research, but do you know if on the whole instant coffee is any better?

I'm researching it for a story right now actually, so I can let you know!

But my preliminary research is saying instant coffee is cheaper, lower in quality, and the chances of the farmer getting a sustainable or fair income out of it is very unlikely for those reasons.

[heids]

Soooolid work Nick. :]

Offtopic:

Maybe you can read up on the startling unethical sources of a lot of coffee, and then lower your intake even more to only sustainable farmed/produced/sold coffee brands?

This stuff freaks the fuck out of me.  I can't research anything behind my food or clothes or transport or anything anymore because I become so afraid of causing harm through everything I ever do and it paralyses me.  I also get into complex internal debates over the subtler nuances of these questions - like, sweatshops can be beneficial and aren't necessarily more harmful than other options, and I don't trust the simplistic facts I'm presented with.

[elysepopplewell]

Soooolid work Nick. :]

Offtopic:

This stuff freaks the fuck out of me.  I can't research anything behind my food or clothes or transport or anything anymore because I become so afraid of causing harm through everything I ever do and it paralyses me.  I also get into complex internal debates over the subtler nuances of these questions - like, sweatshops can be beneficial and aren't necessarily more harmful than other options, and I don't trust the simplistic facts I'm presented with.

I definitely know what you're saying. I've tried to implement a lot of new and small things this year especially (toxin-free deodorant, vegetarianism, no takeaway coffee cups, I've even ordered the shampoo bar from Lush that doesn't have any packaging (review yet to come)!) but the very crux of the matter for me is the oxymoron that is "ethical capitalism" in a lot of ways - especially when there isn't transparency in the entire production, packaging and retailing process. So you might think you're supporting something good but it's actually more harmful in a part of the process you don't yet realise.

But I'm finding the more small actions I take, the more conversation I can have about these things, which seems to lead to others making small changes, and they really can add up. As consumers we can send a very powerful message to suppliers about the products we will and won't buy, and that's an incredible tool. Especially when it comes to coffee, which is peaking in popularity in Australia.

I'm also finding that when it seems like a company is doing the right thing, or trying to do the right thing, they usually are.
But this isn't a hard and fast rule. I mean, Cotton On asks you if you want to donate the 5c (all of their items seem to end in $#.95) to charity to help developing nations, but they don't even have complete transparency in their production process (and I think the quality is very poor for a singlet you pay $40 for that didn't even come close to that amount in production cost). They really irk me.

But back to coffee, I seem to think brands are becoming more proud to boast of their certification scheme badges which does make things easier for consumers to make those decisions.

[Joseph41]

Today's the first day I've really struggled without the coffee. I've had a headache all day - one of those ones where it feels like bricks are being pushed into either side of your head. Usually caffeine kinda fixes it for me, but I'm pushing through without. 👍

[Joseph41]

Went out for coffee this morning with a friend before work. He ordered, I forget to specify decaf.

Having caffeinated coffee has made me approve further of my decision to cut it out. I'm fine but like, there's a noticeable effect that I've been free from since several weeks ago. Underlying angst or something.