Why did I choose to stop drinking coffee?
I LOVE coffee: the ritual, the taste, the smell. At one point, I worked as a barista in Nashville at Ugly Mugs— I was 100% addicted and had no qualms with it. I’d drink ~ 2 cups a day, nothing excessive, but it was my go-to when I woke up.
Truthfully, I had no intention of ever “quitting coffee”.
One day, during a therapy session, I was sharing about my increased levels of anxiety. When my therapist asked me to describe my daily routine, I proudly began talking about my morning routine. I thought they would be impressed, but instead, they pointed out that my routine began with a cup of coffee. They explained that coffee can stimulate anxiety in the body, triggering anxious thoughts in the mind, which can lead to a vicious cycle of anxiety.
I had been trying all the methods that usually help ease my anxiety, but unfortunately, nothing seemed to be working. I wanted to feel less anxious, so I decided to skip my morning coffee and see how that impacted how I felt.
I expected to feel AWFUL, to have headaches, and not be able to focus— but somehow, made it through the day and felt great. I noticed that I DID feel less anxious, angry, and reactive.
So, I decided to try it again the next day. It's now been over two years, and I haven't had a full cup since. I don't intend to go back because I feel so much better and less anxious.
I didn’t quit caffeine completely, but I don’t have it first thing in the morning, and I don’t drink regular coffee anymore.
Here’s how you can stop drinking coffee and started feeling less anxious:
