Coffee is the fuel through which college students operate. While we consider it our faithful companion in combating procrastination, coffee actually has quite a few drawbacks. Not only does coffee cost us a ton of money, it also increases sleeplessness and anxiety: two things all college students want to avoid at all costs. So here are ten tips to help you cut down on your daily coffee.
1. Count your caffeine.
The first thing you need to do is keep track of how much caffeine you take in. This way you will be able to determine how much you need to cut down gradually, not go cold turkey right away, so your body doesn’t go through the much-dreaded withdrawal.
2. Reduce the frequency of your caffeine consumption.
The second step to cut down on your daily coffee is to, well, cut down on your coffee. Consider drinking only one cup instead of three. To make the most of that one cup, try to drink your coffee between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Caffeine is most effective at this hour of the morning because it’s when your cortisol (the response that wakes you up in the morning) naturally dips.
3. Learn to wake up without coffee!
Most of us drink coffee to help us wake up. So one way to reduce your daily coffee intake would be to learn to wake up without coffee. This might sound difficult at first but there are a few steps that will ensure you start your day alert and refreshed. First, leave your curtains open so you let sunlight in. It’s one of the greatest hacks to a great morning. Second, drink a glass of water when you wake up to get your body going. Third, consider having a small morning exercise routine to help you wake up and also keep your body fit.
4. Use coffee only in cases of emergency.
Some days, you just need to have coffee in order to keep going. For example, that all-nighter you have to pull to finish your overdue essay or that exam you have to take at 8:30 in the morning. However, if you consume too much caffeine, your body gets less affected by it. So, if you learn to drink coffee only in cases of emergency, this will make it more efficient in keeping you alert.
5. Start drinking tea.
Tea is a great alternative for coffee. Replacing coffee with tea will ensure that you reduce your caffeine level but not eliminate it entirely. In addition, the enormous varieties of tea available put available coffee choices to shame. You’re bound to find your favorite combination. Tea is also great for detoxing your body and helps cure sleeplessness, which is our next point.
6. Try to get enough sleep.
We mostly drink coffee in order to fight fatigue. However, if we treat the problem at its very source, that is, lack of sleep, you will find yourself needing less and less coffee to keep going throughout the day.
7. Drink water.
I’m sure you have heard of the benefits of staying hydrated a lot, but they can’t be overestimated. Water is a much healthier beverage than coffee. Drinking water is a great way to detox your body and increase your level of alertness. To keep things more interesting consider preparing bottles of detox water for your day. You can find great recipes on Pinterest!
8. Eat healthier food.
Having healthier meals means you’ll be getting all the nutrients you need to be focused and energetic instead of replacing them with caffeine. Try to avoid heavy fried foods, which only make you more tired. Opt for high-fiber carbs such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
9. Make meals consistent.
Eating regularly (i.e. having breakfast, lunch, and dinner) will help keep you energized throughout the day, eliminating the need for coffee.
10. Exercise.
Working out is a great natural high. Not only does it keep you fit, it’s also a great stimulant and increases your brainpower, making it much easier to kick your coffee habit.
Do you have any other tips to help cut down on your daily coffee? Comment below.
Featured photo source: instagram.com
