Cutting Back on Coffee: 3 Weeks In

Ok, ok, so I promised a coffee cutback update like, 2 weeks ago. I haven't even updated since my first official day of this "self-experiment". But it's better late than never, right?

Right.

So. I have actually managed to be quite successful at cutting back on my caffeine intake...at least during the week. (On the weekend, all bets are off. I love the smell of a fresh pot of coffee brewing and the luxury of sipping it throughout the morning)

During the work week in the past few weeks, I have had no more than two 8-ounce cups of joe per day--and most days, I am down to one! I think the Keurig actually has a lot to do with it. With ground coffee, I find myself of the mentality "Oh, I can brew a whole pot, why not?". But with K-cups, I am much, much more frugal--those little puppies are pricey! So, I tend to really decide which k-cup I want and make the choice to enjoy just that one variety of coffee that day.

Sean and I recently stocked up on this one, this one, and this one<----(I am particularly excited about that last one because it is organic, fair trade coffee.)

Energy wise, I feel great. Whether it is a "late" day or an "early" day at work, I still have been trying to go to sleep and wake up at the same time, making me feel well-rested. Having a routine is good, in my opinion, and keeps our bodies functioning at their best.

Buuuuuut, as aforementioned, on the weekend ALL BETS ARE OFF. The boyfriend and I love to cozy up under the covers all morning, and really, can you blame us? It's February, and it's much warmer under the covers than out and about!

So, there you have it. Has anyone else had any success monitoring their coffee intake? Do you feel like coffee affects your energy levels, ability to sleep, ability to perform well at work/school, or not? Discuss!

Coffee Cutback: Day 1

So, as I mentioned in yesterday's post, I am trying to be more aware of how much coffee I am drinking day-to-day, and what factors surround it.

I'm proud to say that today, I only have ONE 8-ounce cup of coffee--and it was Breakfast Blend, which is lighter/less caffeinated than my usual Jet Fuel.

I may end up drinking a pick-me-up beverage later this afternoon (it is 3:00 now), but I am hoping to avoid it!

Yay me.

As for my emotions, I think the reason such a small amount of coffee was consumed today was because my workday was a lot less hectic than Fridays normally are for me. So, I guess less stress = less coffee cravings.

I'll update you more as the days go on. Tomorrow and Sunday I work half-days (4-hour shifts from noon-4pm), so I might indulge and grab a latte on my way. Hey, I am sacrificing watching the Ravens kick some Texas booty on Sunday in the Playoff game, so the least I can do is give myself some caffeine ;-)

What are your weekend plans? Like I said, I am working two half-days, but I think I'll manage in some fun tonight and tomorrow night. I also have Monday off for Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday. I haven't decided what to do that day yet--perhaps use some of my Christmas gift cards!

Cutting Back on Coffee

The name of my blog is Hot Coco(a). The tagline is "sipping through life". Clearly, I like my hot beverages, including none other than COFFEE. I can't start my morning without my daily dose of Joe.

But recently, since it's a new year and all, I've been thinking about my coffee habit and trying to analyze it (yes, I am a psychologist, could you tell?). Am I drinking coffee because I physically need it, or is it a habit that I simply do along with brushing my teeth, checking my facebook, and washing my hair (not necessarily in that order, though)?

Recently, as a Christmas gift to the staff, the head doctors here pitched in and bought my department a brand new, shiny Keurig maker. It's in the conference room every morning calling out my name--especially since they keep it well-stocked with a collection of coffees, teas, and hot cocoas.

Now, my morning routines vary from day to day--on my early days of work (aka at my desk by 7:30), I usually wait until I am at work to make a cup. But on my late days (aka don't get in until 10:30), I sometimes find myself drinking an ENTIRE POT of coffee all by myself--before I even leave my house (or my couch, for that matter).

Then, depending on the time I have in my day, my stress and energy level, and even my emotional state, I find myself turning to coffee. Much like my patients turn to drugs (and technically, caffeine is a drug, but that's a post for another day). Much like I used to turn to my eating disorder. Hmmm....the therapist wheels of my mind started turning, and here's what I am discovering:

I don't think I really NEED coffee. I honestly believe that I could function perfectly well without it. (Or, ok, with a lot less of it.) Last week, I was really busy at work, and realized that each day, I only had enough for one 8-ounce cup of coffee. And it was the perfect amount to fuel my morning.

So, I began to think "Hmm...maybe I should try to cut back on my coffee intake, even just a liiiittle".

So, here is my "plan":

I am going to attempt to monitor my coffee intake over the next few weeks. Before I change the behavior, I need to determine the factors behind it. So, I am going to try to record how much coffee I drink each day, and when, and the emotional state I am in when it occurs, including how much work I have and how much stress I have.

I am approaching the subject clinically, while still keeping in mind the importance of my emotional and mental state when it comes to my coffee consumption.

Then, I will go from there. I don't want to cut out coffee completely, because I think it tastes good and helps me start my day. My goal is simply to become more cognizant of my consumption and determine what it means.

What are your thoughts? Are you a coffee drinker? If so, how many cups (or pots--eek!) do you drink per day?