Coffee addiction is a problem that needs to be addressed. With the right approach, you can give up coffee without harm to health and in a short time.
The current rhythm of life of the overwhelming number of people is associated with both physical and psycho-emotional stress. And it is very important for a person to maintain good performance throughout the working day. Coffee is rightfully considered to be the main remedy for fighting fatigue and sleepiness, but this drink is not as simple as it seems. Over time, coffee causes a strong addiction, which is then very difficult, but possible to overcome.
Development of addiction
More and more often you can see young people 16-18 years old standing with a cup of coffee in the early morning near the kiosk. Starting to drink coffee and caffeinated beverages, young people begin to accustom their bodies to caffeine at an early age. Caffeine is a type of alkaloid that, acting on certain receptors, causes a feeling of alertness, increases mental and physical activity. Over time, a person needs more and more caffeine to keep themselves in good shape, and addiction develops. The risk group includes people experiencing high physical and mental stress, people working at night and on a sliding schedule. Smokers are at a special risk group, because nicotine suppresses the effect of caffeine, which leads to uncontrolled consumption of coffee.
Addiction symptoms
As with any addiction, caffeine addicts have their own symptoms that indicate a problem:
- A person is not able to wake up until he has drunk a cup of coffee.
- If coffee was not drunk at the usual time, then irritability and apathy sets in.
- Your breakfast only consists of a cup of coffee.
- You do not accept other drinks if you have a choice.
- You get euphoric from the very smell of coffee.
- You drink more than 4 cups of coffee a day.
If you recognize yourself on even one point, then you are most likely to be addicted to caffeine.
How to get rid of addiction and drink less coffee
By analogy with other addictions, caffeine addiction cannot be overcome in 1 day. This will take some time and endurance.
- For many, drinking coffee is something of a ritual and you must first of all learn not to associate any action with the use of a coffee drink. A good example is the combination of smoking and drinking coffee.
- Try to gradually reduce your coffee consumption by substituting tea for it, at least once a day for a start. So you can gradually reduce your coffee consumption, the caffeine contained in the tea will compensate for the need for the substance, and then it will be easier to give up the tea psychologically.
- You can try to trick your body by switching to low-caffeine coffee or even decaffeinated coffee, this exists now. It is worth trying for the first time to alternate coffee receptions with and without caffeine.
- Those with good willpower should try not drinking coffee for 10 days, overcoming cravings. The main thing during this period is not to consume chocolate and products with its content, as well as, if possible, give up sweets. It is recommended to drink plenty of plain water during the period of refusal from coffee in order to cleanse your body as much as possible.
Side Symptoms
During the refusal of coffee and caffeine, various nervous and mental disorders will inevitably arise, so it is very important to properly adjust yourself so as not to break down. Symptoms such as drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue, lethargy, irritability, and headaches may occur. For some, these symptoms will be strongly expressed, while for others they will be weak, but you need to learn to endure them, then over time you will be able to overcome this addiction. As you quit caffeine, you will notice that you feel good in the morning without a cup of coffee, and you will realize that you did your best.
