Want to Cut Back on Caffeine? Switch to Decaf

Thinking of Making the Switch to Decaf?

Decaf options offer a great way to still enjoy some drinks without the added side effects. For a lot of people caffeine drinks, such as coffee, can lead to migraines, jitteriness and mid-afternoon slumps. Regular coffee or caffeinated drinks cause your body to produce adrenaline which can leave you feeling irritable, anxious and can even affect your quality of sleep. Decaf coffee allows you to enjoy the same (or similar) taste whilst offering a small pick me up that won’t leave you feeling on edge.

Caffeine Sensitivity

It is worth noting that everyone has a different level of sensitivity to stimulants. This means it affects people in different ways, some more than others. But if you often find yourself craving a coffee and feeling like you can’t function without one then you are more than likely addicted to the caffeine. The boost that caffeine provides us with can leave you feeling energised, alert and ready to take on the day. As soon as the caffeine starts to wear off, your body crashes. Then, you are left feeling sleepy, apprehensive and even short-tempered. Not ideal for a day in the office!

The only way you can get off this caffeine rollercoaster that picks you up and drops you, is to remove caffeine from your routine. You may find that for the first few days, if you are a heavy caffeine drinker, that you experience withdrawal symptoms. Your body is crying out for caffeine. However, if you persist, you will more than likely find that after a few days you start to notice you no longer feel like falling asleep at your desk mid-afternoon, that tightness in your chest will subside and migraines remain at bay.

Is Decaf Caffeine Free?

A lot of people think decaf coffee is completely caffeine free, but it still contains a small amount of caffeine, just enough actually to still give you that feeling of a caffeine boost. It means the percentage of caffeine in your bloodstream isn’t as high if you drink a regular cup of coffee. 

Caffeine has a half life of around 6 hours so if you have a coffee in the afternoon, your body is more than likely still feeling the effects of it when you go to sleep, impacting the quality of your sleep. It is also probably the reason why you reach for a hot cup of coffee first thing in the morning. You’re craving the buzz from caffeine again…

So why not try decaf coffee for a few days and see whether it affects your daily mood or the quality of your sleep. You may just be surprised.