Want to Break Your Coffee Addiction? Here’s What Worked for Me

I could never have quit smoking this way. But for the coffee, cutting down worked.  I have done it! (15 weeks and counting…)

I was used to drinking coffee all day, every day. Ok, not in the evening, but pretty much as much as I wanted up to about 2 pm.

I also used and still use, large mugs. I love interesting coffee mugs. I drink half decaf, half regular with lots of skim milk.

I have been unsuccessful with this attempting-to-cut-down-on-coffee thing many times.

This is what finally made sense to me:

I thought, “this is a habit like anything else. I have quit smoking, one of the hardest things ever. I can do this! I can change a habit.”

So, at the same time I committed to doing this, I decided to increase my vitamins. I was so sick of being tired that I thought other changes were necessary. Now I think I may have introduced too many variables into the experiment, because I am not sure what gave me these results; however, I don’t care, because the results are wonderful!

I am not tired at all during the day, and my sleep each night is deeper and better. I am not cranky-tired at night, just honest-tired. I have plenty of energy for the day and I don’t miss coffee. I do tend to think it is more the drastic change in the amount of caffeine rather than the surge of vitamins, but the vitamins help.

So, if anyone else knows they need to do this, and wants to make the commitment to feeling better, living better, and breaking the addiction or habit or whatever you want to call it to coffee, here is how I did it.

1) I got disgusted with being so dependent on something. (So, first, be disgusted.)

2) I got tired of being tired. (Examine you–are you tired all the time?)

3) I created some rules. For example: I would not stop anywhere for coffee when I was out. That would eliminate a lot of extra caffeine in my day. (Prepare for the problem areas that exist in your caffeine world.)

4) I let myself have 2 big mugs of coffee in the morning, and truly savor the taste and smell. (Enjoy what you are experiencing at the time you experience it.)

5) I drank lots of water. (Always a good idea.)

6) I took vitamins with every meal. (You may want to do some research about what additional vitamins you need. I went to Dr. Weil’s site for this information.)

7) I planned for lots of extra sleep, especially in the beginning. (Stop making excuses and get more sleep.)

 I kept a log to give myself props and see my progress. ( Patting yourself on the back for your progress is always helpful.)

9) I continued to stay away from places where I would be tempted to have coffee. (You need to be aware of how quickly you can fall back into bad habits.)

10) I went to Teavana and picked out some really tasty, healthy, no caffeine teas to have something different to drink.

So, that is what worked for me.

Your addiction may be soda or caffeinated tea.

This is what I know: My results have been wonderful. I hope this can help you or someone you know who struggles with this addiction.

Tags: addiction, breaking habits, caffeine and energy, caffeine related sleep problems, change, changes, Choices, Choose happiness, coffee addiction, Coffee habits, crankiness, decaffeinated tea, Diana Fletcher, Dr. Weil, energy and coffee, fatigue, getting enough sleep, Health, healthy teas, Less Stress, loving coffee, preparation for temptation, Reducing Stress, Resolutions, rewarding yourself, rewards for good behavior, sleep problems, tea, Teavana, tired, tired all the time, tired of being tired, vitamins, water, water instead of Coffee, worry

Category: Health, Life Choices