You could say coffee and I had a rocky relationship. I would never admit to being obsessed, but my junior year could have proved wrong. I drank four to five cups of coffee each day. I knew coffee was not being faithful to me; I knew I would only get an hour of maximum reward before I felt another crash coming. A vicious cycle of cold brew, espresso shots, and dark roast lattes deceived me. Once I recognized that the relationship was unhealthy, I decided to break up with coffee.
My third year in college feels like a blur-- spending hours in the library working on research methods, meeting assignment deadlines and balancing a busy social life made me feel completely stressed out. As obligations piled up, so did my anxiety levels. When I become overwhelmed fatigue usually followed, so I believed that I might not be productive as I could be. To combat the lethargy, I initially wanted to reach for a caffeinated beverage. It can be very difficult for me to find the time to eat healthy when I have a lot to accomplish. I find it very easy to run to a nearby vending machine and plug in the number for a mini pizza that I can pop in the microwave for 30 seconds. I thought that coffee would give me that last push I needed to finish my next task, so I kept drinking.
My mom suggested I give up caffeine for a week. She told me that instead of relying on caffeine to feel energized, that I should try a more natural approach. I thought about her advice for a few days and decided to stop. The week of midterms was approaching and I believed this would be a great time for me to quit cold turkey.
I would not say I am too sensitive to caffeine; it is not the first thing I crave in the morning to wake me and I rarely have jitters. I did realize, however, that I needed a mid-day pick me up, so I kept this in mind as I started my new caffeine-free lifestyle. I began on a Sunday before the week of my midterms. I hoped this experiment would help me feel balanced, energized and healthier.
The Rules
One week. No caffeinated beverage.
Expectations
I rarely drank soda or energy drinks, so I figured I would crave coffee. I figured I would feel lethargic at times or maybe doze off in library and wake up with an occasional headache. I knew that these were small sacrifices to make for better sleep and a balanced mind and body.
Day 1: Sunday
Starting my Sunday off without a cup of joe and gossiping with my roommates was certainly strange. Instead, I drank a large jug of water as I cooked an egg over medium and plopped it on avocado toast. I needed to go to the grocery store to pick up some essentials. After researching earlier that morning, I learned what foods lower stress and increase energy. I spent the majority of my time in the produce aisle picking out fresh fruit and green “superfoods.” By removing the reliance on caffeine from my diet, I needed to rely on whole foods to receive energy to last throughout the day. The foods I bought included:
Leafy greens like spinach, arugula and kale
Almonds
Dark Chocolate
Oatmeal
Bananas
Peanut Butter
Day 2: Monday
Oh Monday. I swatted the snooze on the alarm twice and I woke up with a dire need for caffeine. I drank some decaffeinated tea as I prepared some oatmeal with fresh blueberries and sprinkled chia seeds. It was delicious compared to my normal morning breakfast -- a cup of coffee with burnt toast.
Throughout the day, I did not experience serious energy lows that hindered my focus. However, I missed the smell and taste of coffee. As expected, I was sleepy in my afternoon class, but I knew fatigue would ensue from my long morning in the library. I ate a salad loaded with fresh veggies and a ripe banana for lunch. I felt energized from noon until my night class. I grew tired as I drove home, but I was just craving something for dinner.
Day 3: Tuesday
My strength was put to the test while my friend drank a macchiato in front of me before our first class at nine in the morning. But, I remained strong and stayed away from the Starbucks line. I tried infused water for an energy boost; I figured this was a win-win for me because I would get my recommended daily intake of hydration. Lemon-infused water has great benefits that can aid to your overall health. I noticed even the scent helped lower my stress levels; it had a calming affect on me. Not to mention, my breath smelled and tasted fresh all day. I was in denial about missing coffee, but infused water saved me.
Day 4: Wednesday
I woke up earlier than normal to the gym to run off my craving for caffeine. I missed the taste today, but decided I would try to get a natural source of energy. Even the 15-minute walk to the gym pumped my blood and oxygen through my body, which made me feel alert. The boost of energy lasted much longer than I had assumed. I focused in class and was able to stay in the library well into the evening. Since I needed to stay late, I figured I would pack homemade energy bites with me. They satisfied my sweet tooth and gave me energy to finish studying.
Day 5: Thursday
I felt very refreshed when I woke up. I drank some decaffeinated tea with honey in the morning. I paired it with a bowl of vanilla bean yogurt and fresh fruit. I drank plenty of water before and after the yoga class I took that morning. Afterward, I scarfed down a quinoa bowl and some iced tea (unsweetened of course). I remained very energized and focused in my afternoon classes. Some reading in my bed sounded like the perfect reward after I spent 20 hours in the library over the past few days, so I drove home earlier than anticipated.
Day 6: Friday
I worked at the leasing office on Fridays, so I planned to have a long day at work. A cheesy, veggie omelet stuffed with onions, spinach, and peppers satisfied my salty cravings. At work, my coworkers and I competed to see who could drink the most water throughout the day. I did not come in first, but competing with other employees helped me drink more water and made the day go by faster.
Once I came home, I baked the chicken I had been marinating all afternoon. I placed a juicy chicken breast over a tower of oven-charred asparagus and patted myself on the back. I spent that Friday watching movies with my roommates and had enough energy to watch the entire thing without falling asleep.
Day 7: Saturday
Since I made it the entire week without any coffee, I decided to treat myself on Saturday. I wanted chocolate, so I went to the store and bought a bag of dark and semi sweet chocolate chips. I mixed the two bags in a pan and heated them until they melted into a smooth liquid. I poured them over strawberries and pretzels for a sweet treat later in the evening. Since I had completed so much studying throughout the week, I enjoyed the Saturday outside at the dog park running around with Lani and the other dogs. Once home, I devoured my chocolate drenched strawberries and cozied up with a good book. I reflected on my week and decided that the longer I stayed away from caffeine, the better I felt.
Takeaways
Ditching caffeine for one week had many rewards. Over the course of the week, I gained more energy and was able to prioritize my time. Without relying on caffeine allowed me to choose healthier foods to fuel my mind and body. Drinking other fluids kept me hydrated and focused. I also recognized I had less tension head aches in the library because I was drinking more.
I realized I can go without coffee longer than most. I enjoy having a cup to socialize with my friends or when I sit on the couch with my roommates on a Sunday morning. I learned not to reach for a cup when I feel like I cannot perform my best. Rather, I choose to drink it black in the morning now to boost my metabolism.
I recommend to lower caffeine intake if you are feeling overwhelmed with school or work. Sticking up against the status quo may be the hardest part about giving up coffee, but if you do, you will feel refreshed and productive. College girls do not need a coffee to hold their hand through life’s ups and downs. So give it a try- ditch the buzz and get a clear mind.