Friday, August 27, 2010

NO MORE CAFFEINE


Some years ago, I had switched from being a 5 cup a morning coffee drinker to a 2 cup green tea drinker. For whatever reason, over the last 3 years or so I have gone back to the coffee, only about 3 cups a morning.

However, my body is not handling the caffeine like it used to do. I have been praying and asking the Lord to show me ways to reduce my stress. I've been looking with blinders at my time schedule only. Yes, there is still some work to be done there. But the Lord is showing me clearly that the caffeine is directly affecting my nervous system and creating anxiety.

Therefore, this was my last day for coffee as I know it. Both my husband and I will be making a pot of green mint tea every morning. We don't drink soda pop anyway, so that won't be another change we have to make. We do drink water throughout the day.

I want to give thanks and praise to the Lord for answering my prayer and for allowing me to look with openness instead of insisting on my blinders, that He is showing me how to get the stress out of my life and that the stress comes from many sources. I'm looking forward to feeling better with this change of habit, after the headaches from the withdrawal go away. The word "withdrawal" should be a clue that caffeine is not good for me.

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)

11 comments:

Perpetua said...

Hi Bobbi,

I quit caffeine 2&1/2 years ago. It is an amazing difference. I have been better able to cope with stress.

But once I was off it, I found it was sometimes hard to be around people who are buzzing around high on caffeine.

Saleslady371 said...

Food changes are the hardest for me in dealing with stress. I am a sucker for the "reward" system and love to bake! You can imagine.

Gregg Metcalf said...

I hope for your sake it works. But I hope I never have to come to a point where I have to give up my beloved morning coffee.

Mevely317 said...

For a minute, I thought you'd drawn a cartoon of me at work this afternoon!
For some reason, coffee seems to calm me .. in fact, I can fall asleep half-way through an after-supper mug.

Seriously, I'm praying your withdrawal symptoms are mercifully brief!
God bless your husband, for walking this walk right beside you!

Mya said...

Yes, stress and caffeine are usually hazardous to your nervous system! As far as I know caffeine has never botherd me, but because I consume so much of it I started drinking non-caffeinated beverages. Every few weeks a new antioxidant is out - one of the latest combinations (that I found anyway) is a green tea with cranberry and pomegranate. This is a lttle bitter for my taste, however, with about a teaspoon of honey it has quite a pleasant taste, and the aroma is nice.

But you are the doctor, Doctor.
Well, while I have you on my couch, let me ask you if you know how to relax. I do not mean when you are exhausted and give out, I mean do you let yourself, or do you really know how and appreciate just sitting down, putting your feet up, laying back, listening to soothing music if it helps, and just relaxing? I hope you do - Ive have learned to turn this into a fine art!

Joey said...

I gave up coffee for three years, as well as smoking. I drank green tea, and everything about me was so much cleaner and nicer.

Then I was laid off... and the first thing I did was make a pot of coffee and light up.

I'm 51.. and my body is changing. I can't handle certain foods, etc.

I prayed and asked God to help me cleanse myself of the things that are harming me, as well as the people around me. I have been anxious, and I work so hard at creating harmony and peace in my home and in myself.

This is the second day I have not smoked. I didn't think coffee until I read your blog.

God bless you, Bobbi!
Joey

Ron Cooper said...

Neat blog!

Thanks for your visit to "Inspire!" and kind remarks. I also have a Facebook fan page with some new material. You are most welcome to visit!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Inspire/338562522284?ref=ts

Geoff Maritz said...

Give up coffee. Never. You are a brave girl. Cofffee in the morning and then tea for the rest of the day. Have fun and may God bless you my friend.

Lou said...

Caffiene can do some crazy things to my anxiety level as well. Praise God for His goodness and that you were open to receive His answer. Morning coffee would be a hard habit to break.

Hope you'll find withdrawl to be short and speedy.

Love, Lou

Dee said...

I find that I handle things better when I do not drink coffee...(sob). It was one of my food joys.

Refreshment in Refuge said...

I deeply admire your fortitude! I love coffee, but I only drink about 2-3 cups a day. God is working on other things in my life, but I will be thinking and praying about this! Thank you :)