Quitting caffeine Changed My Life — Quitting caffeine changed my life for the better

I’ll admit it, I love coffee. I love the care that goes into preparing it, the ritualistic elements, and the divine smell. Sometimes when I’m lying in bed after hitting snooze for the upmteenth time, the only thing that gets me out of bed is the thought of the latte that I’m about to have.

So it was to no one’s surprise more than my own when I inadvertently quit coffee cold turkey. I know what you’re thinking: how can anyone inadvertently quit coffee?! But I swear, it was not planned. And let me tell you, quitting caffeine changed my life.

The day that kicked off my caffeine-free life was just like any other, with one small exception - the previous day, I had read an article about the benefits of drinking hot lemon water first thing in the morning and this was my first day giving it a whirl. It ended up leaving a super sour taste in my mouth, so I decided to hold off on coffee until a bit later.

I headed into the office and got sidetracked, and by the time I realized I was overdue for my caffeine hit, it was already 2pm. I was shocked that I’d somehow been able to survive that long, so I decided to challenge myself and see if I could make it through the entire day.

That day turned into months, and I learned a ton about the benefits of quitting caffeine in the process. The bad news is that quitting caffeine is insanely hard, and it can take months to function at your optimal levels again. The good news is that once you make it over the hump, your mood and health will improve in profound ways.

I kept a week-by-week journal to track my experience, including my coffee withdrawal symptoms, motivation, and moods. Before we get into the specifics of my caffeine withdrawal timeline (which, in case you’re wondering, lasted roughly 4 weeks), let’s start with the main benefits of quitting coffee I’ve experienced.

HERE ARE 10 WAYS THAT QUITTING CAFFEINE CHANGED MY LIFE:

I listen to my body - Perhaps the most important shift that I’ve experienced is that I feel like I can tune into my body much more easily. I notice how certain foods impact my energy level because I am not artificially inflating it with caffeine.
I sleep better - I experience less restless sleep, and I am able to fall asleep fast. I also have vivid dreams that indicate I am hitting the deepest stages of sleep.
I don’t have stomach pains - I would often get tummy aches from drinking too much coffee, and my digestion would get out of whack. Giving up caffeine has eradicated those issues.
I’m no longer addicted - Though it is legal, caffeine is the world’s most popular drug. The symptoms I felt while quitting were overpowering and akin to withdrawal from harder substances. I don’t want to get sucked back under its spell again. Quitting has made me feel empowered.
I experience less anxiety - Caffeine is a naturally-occurring chemical stimulant that affects the central nervous system. I no longer feel the racing heart feeling I used to get and my anxiety has calmed down overall.
I get less energy crashes - I used to feel wired from coffee in the morning, and then experience slumps midday. Now my energy levels are controlled solely by the amount of sleep I get, my food intake, and exercise.
I’m saving money - There’s the added bonus of cash savings from skipping the coffee shop.
I’m healthier - Instead of drinking coffee, I am having herbal teas and water. So my body is more hydrated and I get less sugar cravings.
I wake up with more energy - Normally, I couldn’t be productive until I had a cup of coffee. It didn’t matter if I was camping or on vacation, I was dependent on caffeine to start my day. Now I wake up and am able to start getting to work right away.
I have a better mood - Without all the energy swings and reliance on coffee to function, I feel happier and more positive. I am so happy I quit caffeine and would recommend it to anyone!

benefits of quitting coffee — Here’s the old me enjoying my morning cup of coffee

HERE IS MY WEEK-BY-WEEK JOURNAL OF QUITTING COFFEE:

Week 1: COFFEE WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS, Blurred vision and thinking, accompanied by extreme fatigue

Getting through this week was rough. Like really rough. In fact, I think the first week in and of itself is the reason why people don’t quit caffeine. Coffee withdrawal symptoms are intense.

You know that feeling when all you want is a nap, you are really cranky, everyone annoys you, and all you can think about is the moment you can finally just lie down? This is my perpetual state in week one off of caffeine.

I am exhausted, and around 2pm every afternoon it feels like my body is going to give up on me. My head feels like it is being squeezed between 2 metal blocks.

I am half alive in meetings at work and can barely focus. I’m continuously yawning and my vision feels really blurred. Overall, the whole week is an extremely unproductive one.

I am desperate for caffeine, and even go so far as to pour myself a cup of coffee that I swiftly pour out in the sink before I can cave. I don’t have the energy to cook, workout, or meet up with friends.

Instead I just go straight home and fall asleep on the couch everyday after work around 8pm. If this doesn’t change soon, there’s no way I’m going to be able to maintain a job.

On the plus side, I am already starting to see some benefits to this whole endeavor. I am rediscovering my love for music, which is a good supplement for an afternoon energy boost. I am not grinding my teeth at night (a bad habit I have), and I am sleeping incredibly well each night - like the best sleep I’ve had in months.

Week 2: Overpowering CAFFEINE cravings and restful sleep

This week I have a big presentation at work. I realize that there is no way I can speak without sounding like a duntz in my current state, so I cheat and have one cup of green tea the morning of. I promise myself that this was a one-time exception, and I’ll be more disciplined moving forward.

I learn a lot from that cheat day. I spend the whole night tossing and turning, and I’m starting to clearly see the connection between caffeine and sleep.

Despite having successfully made it through one entire week without coffee, I am still jonesing for a cup ALL THE TIME. The cravings are overwhelming, and it actually scares me to realize how much of a hold this stuff has over me. For this reason alone, I am determined to keep going and reach a place where I no longer need caffeine.

Instead of giving in to the addiction, I start drinking herbal teas to calm my cravings. It helps a bit, but not much. I’m realizing that there aren’t going to be any shortcuts. This is going to be way harder than I thought.

But I am starting to notice some real changes and that encourages me. I have no trouble falling asleep each night. And when I do, it is really deep and high quality sleep with beautiful and insightful dreams.

I also feel like I can tune into my body much more easily. I notice how certain foods impact my energy level because I am not artificially inflating it with caffeine. My body is able to tell me what it needs and I can listen.

Week 3: Starting to feel normal again, BUT TEMPTATIONS Are EVERYWHERE

The weakness and overall lethargy are finally starting to fade. I am now waking up each morning at 6:30am without an alarm clock (an hour before my usual time). My mornings are incredibly productive, the caffeine withdrawal symptoms are starting to dissipate, and I’m feeling less anxiety.

One morning I go to yoga and can actually feel a spike of energy hit me out of nowhere. When I think about the fact that it’s completely natural and coming simply from resting and eating well, I feel incredibly accomplished and excited about this path I am on.

But these feelings are short-lived, and inevitably the temptation comes back. This week I am in Seattle for work, the coffee capital of America. Everyone is walking around with lattes in hand and the smell of roasting beans is everywhere. I want a hit.

It worries me to realize how much of a hold the stuff still has over me even after weeks of abstaining. I feel like I need caffeine to enjoy life.

I start to identify certain times of day and triggers for cravings - first thing in the morning, right after lunch, when I don’t get enough sleep, or any time I feel boredom. I realize that there is a psychological high that I get from caffeine in addition to the artificial energy, and that is the hardest part to kick.

Week 4: EXPERIENCING THE BENEFITS OF QUITTING CAFFEINE AND FEELing triumphanT

Three weeks down, and I’m surprised to see that the cravings for coffee still haven’t dissipated. But instead of giving in to the pull, I opt for healthier replacements: happy music, uplifting conversations with friends, brisk walks, and yummy herbal teas.

A friend recommended a tea brand called David’s Tea and I have become obsessed. They have a nice selection of delicious non-caffeinated teas, and now I feel like I finally have something to look forward to in the mornings again. This gives me the boost I need to continue on my caffeine free path. My absolute favorite flavors are forever nuts, strawberry rhubarb parfait, ashwagandha chai, and blueberry vanilla.

This month has been hard. I never realized how long a month can feel. But I fully believe that I am better off for having given up caffeine, and I’m feeling incredible benefits of not drinking coffee!

I feel more aware and connected to my body. I can actually decipher which foods give me energy, and which ones sap it away. I don’t push my body beyond its limits.

If I wake up feeling good, then I know my sleep and lifestyle is supporting me. If I feel tired, then it’s a clear indicator that I need to slow down. I imagine this will help prevent illness later down the line.

Is coffee bad for you? I can’t say for sure, but I can say with certainty that giving up caffeine has allowed me to honor and love myself more, and I feel much healthier overall.

What about you? Would you be willing to quit caffeine? Have you given it a try? I’d love to hear your thoughts! This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. I donate 10% of all proceeds made from this blog to charity. Find out more about the charity I am supporting here.