It was time.
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| | | | I deeply enjoy making a fresh pot of coffee or grabbing an iced latte from my favorite shop in town. But 2 months ago, I decided to go caffeine-free to see how it would make me feel — and I'm still going strong. Below, I share some pros and cons from my journey so far and whether I plan to return to my old ways anytime soon. | | | | Cheers,
Morgan Mandriota
Newsletter Editor, Healthline | | | | |
| |  | | Written by Morgan Mandriota
December 2, 2024 • 3.5 min read | | | | | | | |
| |  | | | Why I stopped drinking coffee | | Back in September, I was tossing and turning and waking up at all hours of the night for weeks on end. One night, I woke up every single hour over a 9-hour span. | | I wanted to blame it on a recent full moon but I realized that my coffee habit was the most likely culprit. I was consistently inconsistent with what time I had my first sip, how late I took my last sip, and how strong my cup was. Could I have simply aimed to set a more strict drinking schedule to see if that fixed things? Sure. But instead, I decided to undergo an experiment and see how I'd feel going caffeine-free for the first time in years. | | My first few days without coffee were the worst. The caffeine withdrawal symptoms were real, especially the painful headache that would kick in every afternoon like clockwork. My energy was all over the place, I felt super brain-foggy at work, and I didn't notice any positive effect on my sleep quality. Things continued to stay rough for about a week or 2, but I gave it more time before throwing in the towel — and I'm glad I did. | | It's been 2 months now, and I'm feeling pretty good. My energy is steadier throughout the day, I can focus more clearly during tasks, and I don't feel nearly as anxious or jittery. | | My sleep has also drastically improved! I fall asleep quickly — like within 1 to 2 minutes of putting my phone down — and only wake up once to pee in the night, which is way better compared to my September tendencies. | | I definitely miss the act of walking to the local coffee shop each morning, so now I just go and buy myself a little treat instead. Because I still like sipping yummy drinks, I've been trying new ones like protein shakes, smoothies, and my newest favorite, watermelon water. I've replaced my morning cup of coffee with a cup of water, and I'm hydrating more regularly throughout the day, which has its own set of health benefits. | | So, will I stay caffeine-free? For now, yes. I wouldn't be surprised if I started drinking it again someday. Whenever that time comes, I'll make sure to be more strict with my routine so I don't run into any issues again. | | | | | | | |
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| | | | | Thanks for reading! I'd love to know if any of you have taken a caffeine break and how it made you feel. Share your experience with us at wellnesswire@healthline.com. (We may use your name and response in an upcoming newsletter.) | | | | | | |
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