Most of us cannot start functioning without our morning cup of chai or coffee. A lot of us also need to be supplied with regular cups of our preferred brew through the day in order to go through our normal routine. Moreover, there are also those that don't have tea or coffee but are hooked to caffeine in the form of energy drinks and colas.
At Naad, since we do not offer any form of caffeinated beverage, the first symptom most of our guests complain of are migraine-like headaches on the second day of their stay that just don't seem to go away.
However, while it is perfectly fine to enjoy the occasional serving of tea or coffee, being dependent on it can have serious effects on your wellbeing. Even if you only have one or two cups in a day but feel the need to have it every single day at the same time, you do have a mild form of caffeine addiction.
Here are few long-term effects of caffeine:
- Insomnia
- Nervousness and anxiety
- Irritability
- Bowel issues, especially if you need that cup of coffee or tea to go to the bathroom in the morning.
Caffeine withdrawal too comes with a set of symptoms including headaches, fatigue, changes in mood, constipation, difficulty in concentrating and many more.
If you are looking to kick the caffeine habit for good, here are a few tips to help you ease into it:
- Don't make a sudden stop. Gradually reduce your dosage over a week's time till you completely stop. Take longer if you are used to taking several cups of tea/coffee in a day.
- Substitute your daily dose of caffeine with green tea, which has a lower caffeine content and then gradually move to beverages like decaf coffee if need be. If you are a tea drinker, experiment with herbal brews like lemongrass tea, hibiscus tea, ginger tea and many more.
- Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water to avoid headaches.
- Be well rested. Ensure that you get enough sleep and take it easy so as to not tire yourself out.
Be mindful of not making any changes overnight and allow your body to recover from the habit and become accustomed to a caffeine-free lifestyle.
If you are planning a visit to Naad, may I also suggest that you start weaning off your daily dose of caffeine gradually a couple of weeks before you check-in so as to not shock your body into deprivation when you arrive.
If you have any questions on you can kick the caffeine habit or if you would like to know more about caffeine-free brews you can make at home, feel free to write to me on head.chef@naadwellness.com.
About the author:Chef Sahajan is a graduate of the Institute of Hotel Management, Bhubaneswar and brings with him over 16 years of culinary experience. He specialises in the 'tridosha' form of cooking, based on the principles of Ayurveda. Chef firmly believes in cooking fresh, seasonal produce that are aligned with the cycles of nature. In fact, he nurtures his small kitchen garden on the Naad estate and often cooks with herbs and vegetables sourced from our own backyard. A keen photography enthusiast, he is also a member of several industry associations including the Indian Federation of Culinary Association (IFCA), World Association of Chefs (WACs) and the Chef Guild of India.