My Story about Quitting Coffee

I really struggle with coffee. Not with drinking it, I don’t, or should I say I can’t.  After being diagnosed with M.E. 30 years ago, my body struggled to deal with caffeine, it would throw my nervous system all over the place. I’d also get that high (like everyone else), but I’d then get a real low from it afterwards. I wrestled with drinking tea and coffee on and off for years, and when I did start drinking it again I just wanted more and more throughout the day to keep functioning. Until I eventually hit that low which reminded me that it wasn’t such a good idea. So eventually I quit completely and I’ve now been completely caffeine sober for about 8 years.

Survival tactics

So how have I survived without it? Well since I quit I’ve also seen my daughter born and survived the lack of sleep through those early relentless night feeds, followed by teething. I had to adjust my daily routines to accommodate tiredness, and implement things to help keep my mind sharp, like going to bed early, meditation, fresh air walks with the dog, and the occasional nap.

Whilst those things can sometimes feel like time sapping activities, I’ve come to embrace and enjoy doing them, knowing that they also help me optimise myself to do some great work for clients, to function effectively at home, and still make space for hobbies like building Lego models with my daughter.

This all doesn’t mean I’m a complete health nut, far from it. When my wife directs us towards a starbucks , I’ll gladly have a hot chocolate and a muffin. I see this more as a treat though, and not a ritual I need to have every day.

How much is too much?

So why do I still think about coffee? Well when my friend told me that he has 13 cups of filter coffee every day so he can just function, my alarm bells started to ring. He is not alone in his need. People use this term a lot, I NEED a coffee. I rarely hear people say, lets’ sit down and ENJOY a coffee. Just one cup, now and again, a bit like in Britain’s more sophisticated times when it was time for afternoon tea around 4pm. Maybe even with some sandwiches and cakes on a fancy cake stand.

If people are always wired on coffee then having the option to use it sparingly as a tactic is not an option. Like those times when you might have to burn the midnight oil to get a big work project finished. Maybe this is why energy drinks are becoming more popular, as people need a bigger and bigger hit to keep the eyes open and brain functioning.

Making changes

So what’s my advice? Well as I’m a coffee abstainer I don’t think it’s fair for me to give advice. It would be like the smuggness of the person who’s given up the booze. All I can say is your health is very very important. Think about what would be a reasonable amount of cups of tea/coffee is acceptable for YOU, and work out a plan to get to that level. You never know you might experience the joys of drinking it, rather than the necessity.

What’s your caffeine story and thoughts, I’d love to hear in the comments.