Kick Your Caffeine Addiction With These 8 Actionable Steps

Removing caffeine from your day-to-day life is not something entirely easy to achieve. Withdrawal is a real problem if you’ve relied on a cup of coffee (maybe more) to start your day for the last however many years. Instead, try to cut back slowly by cups per day or the amount you pour into each cup to avoid caffeine withdrawal syndrome. 

Sometimes with coffee, it's more than the boost it gives us, and taking the ritual of it out of our daily lives can leave a sense of absence. Yes, it can actually feel like you're missing something important because of how ingrained it can become in life. Instead, try a lightly-caffeinated or non-caffeinated replacement to grow accustomed to — perhaps it's warm lemon water, herbal tea or maybe it's matcha now, which happens to be full of powerful antioxidants.

No matter how careful you are about it, there are bound to be moments (mainly in the first few days) when your body senses the absence of caffeine, and the headaches come along. Having some pain relief on hand can prove to be a saving grace here, plus drinking an adequate amount of water. 

When you withdraw from caffeine, your body will need sleep and A LOT. Now would be the time to budget your schedule so you have a few extra hours of rest. Eventually, you’ll reach an equilibrium of sleeping an average amount of time, and you might even find that your sleep quality has improved immensely. 

To get back on track after spending a considerable amount of time addicted to caffeine, sleep must be your priority to make the most of your body's natural energy. That means limiting your screen time at least two hours before you intend to sleep so your body can produce an adequate amount of melatonin for restful sleep.

Another way to readjust your body to a natural circadian rhythm is to start falling into a natural sleep-wake pattern. By exposing yourself to natural sunlight when you wake up, you're signaling to your body to begin the production of hormones that make you more awake during the day and tired at night. 

If you must indulge in the decadent flavor of coffee, opt for a decaf alternative instead. Although decaf still possesses trace amounts of caffeine, it will not have the same impact on your body and may prove to be a more sustainable long-term option for you. 

Depending on caffeine withdrawal's effect on your body, your initial reaction may be an intense sweet tooth. Prepare to have some sweet treats (or preferred alternatives) on hand, and stay strong. You'll want to reach for that cup sooner or later, and the best thing you can do is hunker down and bear through it. You'll love how you feel in a few weeks!