Caffeine can have a pronounced effect on us if we drink too much of it. It is easy to think that the only things that contain caffeine are tea and coffee. But of course many other drinks do as well, particularly different types of soda.
So how do you cut down on your caffeine intake without causing yourself problems and limiting what you can drink?
The first thing is to invest in some decaf coffee and tea as well if you drink it. But don’t go all out to cut out all of the caffeine you drink to begin with. A good way to start is by alternating between a caffeinated drink and a decaf one. This way you will halve the amount you drink without totally cutting it out.
Next you may want to think about doing the same with your other soft drinks. For example if you usually drink caffeinated diet coke, think about getting decaf as well. Alternate with your soft drinks too and be alert to the symptoms of decaf withdrawal – the main one of which is a headache. If you start to get a headache just go and make a caffeinated drink to ease it. You should find it will go straightaway. And don’t worry about alternating in this case – simply go back to switching between the two again once the headache has gone.
The good thing is that you should be able to buy your usual coffee and tea in a decaffeinated format quite easily. There is no need to deprive yourself of your morning cuppa when you are trying to cut down on your caffeine intake.
It is usually a good idea to make sure you have a caffeinated drink first thing in the morning though to begin with. This is because your body will be used to it and you don’t want to deprive it first thing. You may also be quite used to getting that caffeine shot to wake you up, so you will notice it if it isn’t there.
The more you focus on reducing your caffeine intake the easier it will become. Just make sure that once you are down to half your current intake, you start reducing the rest gradually. If you cut the rest out in one hit you will definitely notice it. Instead reduce it by a cup a day and go from there.