Health / Nutrition

 

It was all okay back when you only needed one cup a day to get by. But now that your coffee intake has tripled and you’re spending more on coffee than you do on food in a week, you have finally realized that your coffee obsession has turned into an unhealthy addiction.

But how can you cut down on coffee when it’s pretty much your soulmate in beverage form, you ask? These 3 tricks are a good place to start.

1. Find an alternative beverage

We’re not saying you should cut out coffee from your life altogether, but what if you limit your intake to 1 cup per day and find an alternative beverage to sip on whenever you start to crave a familiar cup of joe? Tea is a great alternative option that tends to have less or no caffeine. And with so many varieties to choose from, you are sure to find a blend of tea you’ll love. Chamomile and mint are both great caffeine-free tea options. But if you’re looking for a caffeinated tea to try, you can’t go wrong with English Breakfast or Earl Grey.

 

2. Get an accountability partner

When it comes to breaking a bad habit, accountability is everything. Regardless of whether you’re trying to quit cold turkey or just lower your daily coffee intake, having an accountability partner will prove to be a tremendous advantage. But who will you ask? Well, anyone really. It could be a friend or family member who once had a coffee addiction of their own. Or maybe you could ask your friend who never quite understood your love of coffee to begin with. Regardless of who you decide on, be sure that they’re willing to check in on you daily for the first couple weeks to see if you’re meeting your goals– even if that just means shooting you a quick text or email.

 

3. Form healthy sleeping habits

It’s impossible to kick a habit when you don’t know the root of the problem. And for many coffee drinkers, sleep deprivation is the route of the problem. But even if a lack of sleep wasn’t the reason you started drinking coffee, it might still be negatively affecting your sleeping habits. Caffeine remains in your system for up to 6 hours after you drink it, so that afternoon cup of coffee could be the reason you find it difficult to fall asleep at night. If you are having trouble sleeping, you should consider cutting yourself off from coffee and other caffeinated beverages around noon. You should also be sure to get at least 8 hours of sleep each night, as an ample night’s sleep can keep you from relying so much on coffee the next morning.

 

Combine these three tips with a little bit of self-discipline and you officially have everything you need to kick your coffee addiction. Why not get started today?