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Quitting Caffeine

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Re: Quitting Caffeine

#151

Post by mnm1 »

jeffwass wrote: post #133
mnm1 wrote: post #86

I only drank coffee regularly for a few months in my life and the past five years I've removed all caffeine (that I'm aware of) from my diet except for special occasions where I need to stay up for safety reasons, usually driving long distances (extremely rare). It definitely helps as I have insomnia. The insomnia did not go away, but I have noticed a huge improvement. When I do have caffeine it wires me up the whole…

Coincidentally I just decided a few days ago to ditch caffeine for awhile. Last week I had terrible sleep, from 3-5 hours a night. Even though I was exhausted during the day, I still couldn't fall asleep at night. I only drink two cups a day, with sometimes a Coke at lunch. But might be my old age that is making me hypersensitive to caffeine. Back in college I could drink cup after cup and still fall asleep when I wa…

In my experience, sleep definitely gets worse with age. I often can't fall asleep even when exhausted or wake up multiple times sometimes unable to get back to sleep. That's why I put such a premium on it. Sleep decides at least 50 to 75% of how my day will be, maybe more. It's by far the most important bodily function, imo. Exercise is second and can undo many of the effects of bad sleep temporarily, but there's nothing like a good night's sleep. I would not skimp on it. The anti sleep culture that exists is horror and hell to me but to each his own.

Re: Quitting Caffeine

#152

Post by wyclif »

pdog wrote: post #30
SOLAR_FIELDS wrote: post #3

One of the more interesting comments in the article is in regards to the social stigma of only consuming water during meals - people who have quit alcohol for various reasons have faced the same stigma when going out with friends. I've found that ordering something that has little to no calories or substance goes a long way to alleviate these fears (like tonic or sparkling water). Because something like this still co…

> One of the more interesting comments in the article is in regards to the social stigma of only consuming water during meals - people who have quit alcohol for various reasons have faced the same stigma when going out with friends. That stigma is entirely self-perception. No one cares or even notices what anyone else drinking.

Unless, that is, you're dining out. I do drink occasional alcoholic beverages but the last time I was out to dinner with my family and the waitress asked if we'd be interested in drinks and I declined while asking for an additional water, she gave me a not-quite-concealed eye roll. The message was loud and clear: she wasn't going to make much off my table. I can hardly blame her. Tips are how waitstaff make money, and if you order drinks the check is going to be a lot bigger.

This is also why some people say weird things like you're "cheap" if you don't order drinks (especially if you are paying).

Re: Quitting Caffeine

#153

Post by seanp2k2 »

exhilaration wrote: post #61
jessriedel wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is definitely false. I've had multiple women tell me the dominant thing they noticed on a first date was that I didn't order a drink. Likewise, many people can attest that the social encouragement to get everyone drinking in group situations is very explicit. Shared consumption of intoxicating substances is closely monitored by everyone in the group, and is not same thing as the true fact that no one cares wheth…

I overheard one of my male co-workers telling a female co-worker that he doesn't drink. Her reaction was a literal "eww". That's when I learned that - much like smokers - drinkers were a tribe.

Were? Smoking isn't very cool anymore, but drinking is still pretty cool. It's losing popularity in some circles, but in pop culture, rappers are still in the club ordering bottles, and not of Voss. Weed has a big chance to shake up the alcohol industry, because you can smoke like a Cummins 12-valve until you pass out, then feel fine the next morning. You also don't die if you have too much to smoke. It does have to do some work to get out of the goofy / high schooler / college bro image, but I think they can make it classy (esp stuff like vape pens...the whole blow torch + dabber + water pipe thing has pretty limited appeal because it's too involved and conspicuous).

Coming soon to a state near you.

Re: Quitting Caffeine

#154

Post by jackvalentine »

dharma1 wrote: post #145

It's not a great idea to regularly consume large quantities of what is essentially a natural insecticide. If you're tired, it's a much better idea to have a nap for 20 mins. Wish that was more socially acceptable

Did you know 100% of the people who have consumed h2o in history have died?

If you have a specific link between the 'insecticide' and poor health let's hear it - otherwise it's just a ridiculous statement.

Re: Quitting Caffeine

#155

Post by stevewillows »

SOLAR_FIELDS wrote: post #3

One of the more interesting comments in the article is in regards to the social stigma of only consuming water during meals - people who have quit alcohol for various reasons have faced the same stigma when going out with friends. I've found that ordering something that has little to no calories or substance goes a long way to alleviate these fears (like tonic or sparkling water). Because something like this still co…

I quit alcohol a few years ago. I wasn't an alcoholic or anything of the sort --- I just decided to stop.

For social things along the lines of house parties, I'll bring my own cup. I bought a set of vintage tupperware cups, and, to my surprise, they're always a hit. Its silly, but it helps. I don't make a show of drinking water, and most people assume the cup is filled with beer. When people do ask what I'm drinking, and I tell them that its just water, my assumption is that their assumption is that I was / am an alcoholic... sometimes I let it slide, other times I will clarify.

Over these past few years I've moved away from everything but one cup of coffee per day, and about 2 - 3 litres of water.

Regarding the stigma, it may be a regional thing (Vancouver), but most people don't care about what I order at a restaurant or drink at a social function. The strangest look I'll get is when I order room temperature tap water... but that's understandable :)

Since moving away from everything else, I've found that I rarely crave sugar --- and when I do, everything is far too sweet for me. I used to have a notorious sweet-tooth, but moving away has cured me of that. I also can't handle fizzy things anymore, which was also surprising.

Re: Quitting Caffeine

#156

Post by nowherecat »

eicossa wrote: post #142
nowherecat wrote: post #139

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hm..reading this makes me wonder ... I noticed that life is running extremely fast lately and I am having a hard time being "in the moment" ... and I drink a lot of coffee. I really enjoy everything about coffee from roasting to brewing though, so it would probably be quite hard giving it up. Anyway, thanks for sharing this, I will take a long look at that.

> really enjoy everything about coffee from roasting to brewing You roast your own beans at home ? How expensive of a setup does that require ?

Sorry I meant this more in terms of "learning about every aspect of coffee" .. I did roast my own beans in the past. More out of curiosity, though. All you need to try/start is a cast iron pan and green beans .. but I would recommend reading a book about the roasting process or doing a comprehensive barista course that includes roasting, first.

Re: Quitting Caffeine

#157

Post by jayd16 »

uptownfunk wrote: post #112

I've been off Caffeine for a good two years now and have no plans of going back. Life runs too fast for me on caffeine, yes I can blow through work faster, but when I was on caffeine it would feel like days, weeks, months would go by in the blink of an eye. I wasn't enjoying the moment.. and then I stopped drinking caffeine. Life became more present for me, not slower in the bad sense, but that I was able to relish e…

Did you quit caffeine by chance or did you start making a conscious effort to live more in the moment and quitting caffeine was part of that?

Re: Quitting Caffeine

#158

Post by dharma1 »

jackvalentine wrote: post #154
dharma1 wrote: post #145

It's not a great idea to regularly consume large quantities of what is essentially a natural insecticide. If you're tired, it's a much better idea to have a nap for 20 mins. Wish that was more socially acceptable

Did you know 100% of the people who have consumed h2o in history have died? If you have a specific link between the 'insecticide' and poor health let's hear it - otherwise it's just a ridiculous statement.

I don't have a direct link to poor health - but sleep performs many functions we are just starting to understand, and feeling tired is usually an indicator that you need sleep.

Replacing that with a buzz from an insecticide - and that is the purpose for which plants produce caffeine - on a regular basis doesn't feel like a great idea.

Re: Quitting Caffeine

#159

Post by crehn »

As for me, I enjoy drinking coffee and I enjoy drinking alcohol. They're small pleasures of life that contribute to my overall happiness.

Re: Quitting Caffeine

#160

Post by jcburke »

dvfjsdhgfv wrote: post #31
chrishacken wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Interesting theory. I think that's just a mental game though; I think of myself as "healthy" when I order water when we're out. Most of my friends are also healthy individuals and will also order water though, so maybe it's dependent on who your "friends" are.

That's my thought, too. When I order water, it's almost like a declaration of a lifestyle - I choose to be fit, to stay healthy, and not to drink any of the substances that are an obstacle on my way. I guess it's a question of company. If most of your friends order water, you feel a bit guilty ordering something less healthy.

I think that might be why it bothers people who some people do drink when you order water: they see it as you somehow saying that you're better than them by declaring your health lifestyle
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