Caffeine addiction is no small matter. Many people scoff that it’s “just a little coffee habit” and then find out very quickly when trying to quit is a serious challenge. In fact if you underestimate the serious nature of your addiction, your odds of success are greatly decreased. If you are not fully prepared for the challenge ahead of you, you’ll be ready to give up when the withdrawal starts to really kick in.
1. Acceptance
So the first thing you need to do is accept the fact that your coffee habit is a real addiction. This is absolutely something you can handle. Just don’t make the mistake of expecting it to be easy.
2. Finding a suitable replacement
Once you’re dialed in to the right frame of mind, it’s a good idea to find a replacement product to help ease the transition into a caffeine free lifestyle. Hiding your drip coffee maker is not going to work well.
Some people use decaf coffee for this but you’d be better off with an herbal supplement like Ginseng or Hawthorne.
If you feel strongly that decaf can help you through the first couple of weeks, fine. Just be sure to stick with your initial timeline and don’t keep drinking it for an extended period.
Of course you should ask your doctor if you are healthy enough to use herbal supplements just to be on the safe side.
3. Adopt the half hour push technique
In addition to using a replacement drink to lessen the strain of change, you can apply the half-hour push technique to strengthen your psychological resolve.
When your body goes into withdrawal and you feel a strong need for your substitute beverage, wait another half hour. And focus your awareness on how your body feels during this 30 minutes.
Be mindful of the fact that you made it through the small delay and congratulate yourself for showing this kind of resolve. On a psychological level, this simple exercise will give you an extraordinary boost of confidence.
4. Change your normal routine
Another very easy but incredibly effective technique is to change your morning routine. If you have become accustomed to having your coffee in the kitchen, start having your substitute (or nothing at all) on the back porch.
You may even change procedures not seemingly related to your caffeine intake. For instance, change the order of your morning activities slightly. If you used to shower first and then brush your teeth, start doing it backwards.
The idea of a routine change is to disrupt familiar patterns and give your mind something new to focus on. Stepping into an entirely new pattern will take your mind off the withdrawal and significantly reduce cravings.
Whatever tactics you take towards quitting caffeine, most of it are just a mind game.
Other Popular posts:
