How I Kicked my Caffeine Habit

When I was 20 I was fortunate enough to study in Germany for a year. Not only did I learn how to speak the language, but I also discovered how to open bottles with lighters, flip beer mats with one hand, and roll cigarettes. I picked up all sorts of vices, including the taste of good beer and strong coffee.

I tried to kick this caffeine habit a few times in the past. The closest I came was while I lived in London and substituted my morning mocha for two cups of black tea.

After moving back to the States, we found a great little coffee shop called Scooters where we would treat ourselves before heading to work. This led to ground beans to take home and before you know it we were drinking mugs of it every morning.

Recently I decided to substitute my morning jolt with a shot of wheat grass instead. I felt an instant surge of energy after drinking the chalky grass clippings. Not that nervous, jittery energy — just alertness.

The first two days came with late afternoon headaches which made me a bear to be around. I just wanted to shut out the lights and sleep. Worse yet, I was getting the 3am “what-if” sessions. What if this, what if that, what if I suddenly get fat.

Mostly, I missed the warm mug coffee and tea in the morning pulling me out of bed before the sun comes up. Praise be to my two favorite latest discoveries — Decaffeinated English Breakfast Tea by Twinnings. It tastes just like my PG Tips. And Teeccino , a delicious herbal tea that tastes like coffee! I recommend the Hazelnut flavor.

My body had been caffeine free for a few weeks now and I’m loving it. I’m filled with natural energy, deep sleep, and no late afternoon crashes. I’m still doing wheat grass shots each morning. I also get my blood pumping with some yoga.

Spring is a good time for change; to break old habits and try a new way of living. We‚Äôre all creatures of habit. Even if we know that a certain activity does nothing for us, we continue doing it anyway. We may think it’s easier to do the same thing everyday, but in the long run is it? Sacrifice is simply giving something up for something better.