Some of us won’t admit it, but we can be addicted to caffeine, whether we get it from sources like soda, energy drinks or coffee. We don’t care where we get it but we love it and don’t think we can function without it.
Waking up for an 8 a.m. lecture on a cold Monday is hard enough, and just a cup or two of that nice hot brewed coffee is just the thing to wake us up and get our day started.
For others, it’s the habit of needing that caffeine fix just about every hour of the day like in the late mornings, afternoon and during a late-night study cram session.
But when is the coffee intake too much? And can it cause serious harm to our health?
Getting the infamous “coffee jitters,” or in professional terms “caffeine intoxication,” is the first sign to cut back. Intake of too much caffeine can lead to nervousness, headaches and tension in the body that signal you’ve had too much.
Other consequences include restlessness, excitement, insomnia, gastrointestinal disturbance, muscle twitching, irritability and irregular or rapid heartbeat, according to Medline Plus, a publication operated by the National Library of Medicine.
So what’s the best way to cut back on coffee and the caffeine? Start by limiting to one or two cups during the day and seriously watch your intake. Don’t just cut back cold turkey, as it will make you feel sick with withdrawals if you’re that addicted to the morning Joe.
If you find yourself in desperate need of something to drink to boost your energy, try alternatives such as herbal, green and black teas or decaf coffee. Getting plenty of sleep will also improve your energy and mood quickly so you won’t be so groggy in the mornings in the first place.