It’s that time of year again. The mornings are brighter, the air is colder, the days are shorter, and your capacity for getting up and moving in the morning has probably decreased. Rather than relying on several cups of coffee to get through your day, use these tips to ensure you’re not overdoing it.
Gradually Change Your Daily Intake
Caffeine is addictive, which means quitting cold turkey isn’t always the best option. Instead, it’s better to gradually decrease your daily intake. Start by reducing the amount by just half a cup daily, then continue to wean yourself off slowly.
Substitute with Decaf
The addiction to coffee might run deep. If this is the case, begin substituting your regular cup of coffee with a cup of decaf. This way, you’re still getting the taste you enjoy, but you’re also decreasing your caffeine intake. From here, you follow the same steps as you would for gradually reducing your coffee consumption.
Drink an Alternative
For some, grabbing a cup of coffee is simply part of their daily routine. Instead of ditching your drink altogether, try replacing it with an alternative, such as tea. You might find that you crave the ritual of sipping a hot beverage more than the coffee itself.
Skip the Starbucks Run
This tip is also great for your wallet: Cut back on or skip your daily run to Starbucks (or coffee shop of your choice) altogether. Remove the temptation, and you’ll be more likely to lessen your coffee intake.
Increase Your Water Intake
Drinking water in the morning has been linked to increased alertness, improved cognition and mental performance, and an improved mood. It is also thought to counteract your desire for other beverages. For this reason, before grabbing that cup of coffee in the morning, drink a glass of water.
You might feel like you need coffee to survive the day, but with these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to experiencing a coffee-free (or near-free) lifestyle.