Limit Your Intake of Caffeine

Caffeine effects how you feel mentally and emotionally – both positively and negatively. Most people drink it to feel more alert (because it is a stimulant). However, caffeine might also cause you to feel jittery and anxious. If you suffer from chronic pain, the caffeine may increase your experience of pain. Although caffeine might lessen a migraine headache, by drinking it, you may develop a rebound migraine headache the next day. Because caffeine depletes your Vitamin B (which is important for reducing stress), you may also feel overwhelmed by the tasks you are doing.  As the effect of the caffeine wears off, you may experience a slump.  You may then consume even more caffeine.  If you drink caffeine in the evening, you may have trouble falling asleep, and your sleep may not be as restful.  When you wake up, you usually experience a profound desire to have caffeine; and you may even have a nagging tension headache as a withdrawal symptom.

You will be healthier if you limit your intake of caffeine.  It’s best to reduce it gradually (about 4 oz. per day), so as to avoid withdrawal tension headaches.  If you drink a full glass of juice or water before drinking any caffeinated drink, you will both quench some of your thirst and also dilute the effect of the caffeine.  You can mix decaffeinated with the caffeinated drink as you cut back.  Limit all caffeine after 4 pm in the afternoon.  As you lessen your caffeine intake, you will probably notice that you sleep better.  You will then feel more rested and require less caffeine to wake up the next morning.