Tips to help you cut down on caffeine
If you are drinking more than 5-6 cups of instant (3-4 cups or fresh) coffee a day. You are drinking too much coffee.
Look at why you are drinking so much coffee
If you are drinking coffee because you are stressed, have a look at the anxiety section of this site.
If you are drinking coffee because you are tired to keep you going, have a look at the depression section of this site.
If you feel especially tired in the morning and can't function until you have had coffee this might be withdrawal from caffeine the day before.
Reduce your caffeine intake by 1/4 cup a day
Your body can get so used to caffeine that, if you just cut it out dead, you can get withdrawal effects:
- throbbing headache
- tiredness or drowsiness
- anxiety
- depression
- feeling sick
These feelings could last up to one week. Reducing caffeine by small amounts each day reduces the chance of getting withdrawal symptoms.
Replace your drinks with decaf
Try drinking decaf tea or coffee instead. You can also buy fizzy drinks that don't have caffeine. Or drink water or fruit juice instead.
Relaxation and sleep
Give yourself time to relax. If you are having trouble sleeping, check out the sleep section of this site.
Don't drink coffee because everyone else does
Other drinks are often available even if it is just water.
Other things to do
- Slowly switch from fizzy drinks to caffeine-free drinks or pure fruit juice
- Avoid energy drinks and tablets
- Take as few pain killers, etc. as you can (ask your GP if concerned) or switch to ones with little or no caffeine in them (ask your chemist).
