Coffee is the go-to pick-me-up for many of us, but what if your daily coffee routine is doing more harm than good? From energy crashes to dehydration, certain habits could be draining your productivity instead of boosting it like it’s supposed to do. Here are the 10 worst coffee habits that might be holding you back.
10. Overloading on Sugar and Creamers
Some of us like coffee for their sweetness and creaminess, thinking that the caffeine from it is enough to keep us awake. While they may taste amazing, they contribute extra calories and sugar content that may make you feel lethargic later on. Instead, opt for a real, unsweetened coffee if you really need a caffeine boost.
9. Drinking Coffee on a Sensitive Empty Stomach
Your mother probably warned you about drinking coffee on an empty stomach. However, there’s no direct proof linking empty stomachs and caffeine to digestive issues. Still, if you have a sensitive stomach, then you may possibly cause unwanted issues that lead to distractions and decreased focus throughout the day.
8. Ignoring Your Body’s Signals
Does your coffee make you feel jittery or cause digestive issues? Then, your current coffee may not work for you. Try to switch to a more natural coffee ground for beans. You can also adjust your caffeine intake and find the balance that works for your body. After a few weeks, you’ll see whether your new coffee routine works better than the last.
7. Drinking Coffee Too Quickly
The rapid absorption of caffeine leads to an intense rush of adrenaline. Now, this absorption is the one giving you jitters or an elevated heart rate that messes with your day. You should slow down and enjoy your coffee while it’s warming in a hot cup. Besides, the coffee bean flavor is made to enjoy.
6. Skipping Water
Whenever you drink coffee, make sure that you put a jug of water beside your cup. Why? Well, coffee is diuretic, which means that it can dehydrate you when you don’t drink enough water. And when you’re dehydrated, it affects both your physical and mental performance to deliver tasks as it causes fatigue and reduces your cognitive function.
5. Consuming Too Much Coffee
Some people have a thinking that more coffee gives them more energy. Excessive intake of caffeine may cause jitters and disrupted sleep which would lead to poor night rest. For a healthy adult, 400 milligrams of coffee a day is enough to consume. That’s about four cups of brewed coffee.
4. Choosing Low-Quality Coffee
A cheap coffee might be saving you money but that doesn’t mean that it serves you the purpose that you’re supposed to get from coffee. Cheap coffee undergoes mass production and lower-quality beans. It just adds up extra sugar (possibly high) to your body, leaving you lethargic throughout the day.
3. Relying on Coffee Instead of Sleep
Admit it; when you’re faced with a big task that may possibly make you lose sleep, you turn to coffee. However, if you’re already using coffee as a substitute for rest, then you’re setting yourself up for burnout. It isn’t healthy in the long run! Remember to always prioritize sleep and use coffee as a booster on days you need it the most.
2. Drinking Coffee Upon Waking Up
Who here is guilty of drinking coffee right when they wake up? That’s a bad habit you need to break! Why? They interfere with your body’s natural cortisol production, which peaks in the morning. This practice may probably make you even more dependent on coffee. Wait at least 60-90 minutes before you enjoy your warm cup to allow the cortisol to peak naturally.
1. Using Coffee as Meal Replacements
Skipping your meal again with coffee? Well, that’s one habit you need to ditch as it lacks the essential nutrients that food has. While coffee may be a temporary mood booster, your energy will decline later on as you don’t get the necessary nutrients that you need.