Kick Caffeine for a Better Mood
Every time I drink coffee, I get really energized for a little while, and then I end up crashing and being more tired than I started out. Not only that, but I noticed recently that certain people can get cranky or act strangely if they drink too much coffee.
I started to wonder if those mood swings were caused by caffeine. If you think caffeine affects you negatively, then maybe you should kick it and here are some tips on how.
Caffeine Leads to Mood Swings
On Metafilter, a site designed to invoke the wisdom and experience of other users, one user asked:
“I know that caffeine can make people irritable, and cause palpitations etc, but I've not read about it causing mood swings. Is there any research mentioning this? Does it happen with you?”
Based on the replies from the other users, quite a few said they experienced mood swings from either consuming or not having caffeine. A lot of the users agreed that cutting out caffeine improved their moods, including one user who noted:
“While I still have occasional mood swings, particularly during PMS, they are short and not nearly as intense or ugly.”
So if caffeine really is a culprit behind mood swings, the remedy must be to cut it out, right? But cutting out caffeine cold turkey if it is something you’re used to can also have negative effects.
Cutting out Caffeine Gradually
Lifehacker, an indispensible source for helping people live their lives with productive and efficient ways, has some good advice when it comes to cutting down on caffeine bit by bit.
“Cold turkey caffeine quitters will experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, like headaches, distraction, irritability and possibly nausea and dizziness. So the best way to quit the stuff is gradually. Remember, you don't have to completely eradicate caffeine from your diet; just get it down to a point where you're not dependent on it to keep you going. “
Lifehacker goes on to explain ways you can decide what parts of your diet have the most caffeine, and where you can shave off the amounts gradually. Coffee, for example, can contain as much as 75-100 mg of caffeine per serving. Drink more than one cup of coffee in a day, and it will be no surprise if you have wild mood swings. Lifehacker also advises:
“Less caffeine will mean more restful sleep, fewer mood swings, less anxiety and distraction, and a clearer head - plus a few more bucks in your pocket that otherwise would have gotten dropped in the Coke machine.”
Caffeine might not be all bad, but it certainly can have an effect on your mood. Cutting down on your intake could help you control your mood swings, and lead to a healthier, happier you. How does caffeine affect you?
Comments
traci Tuesday, February 10, 2009
i find when i have caffine it makes me crazy and have funny feeling in my body and head...so i decide to cut out the caffine in my diet and i do feel better..