Giving up Coffee Sunday January 30, 2005

Posted in: Personal

1. JesterXL

   Jan 30, 09:15 PM

   ”...which is kind of at odds with being a web developer don’t you think?”
   
   Extremely. I quit smoking cold turkey, and someday, I too will quit drinking alcohol beyond the wine at dinner via guests… but coffee? Hell no. Until they scientifically show me, conclusively none of this arguing bs, that it negatively affects me in the longterm, I’m going to keep on being addicted.

2. John Oxton

   Jan 30, 09:28 PM

   I am on decaf at the moment, after my missus introduced it on the quiet about three months ago, I haven’t noticed any major difference to be honest, except maybe I don’t pace as much as I used too!
   
   BTW, Hot water – a fresh slice of lemon perks it up a bit!

3. Jeff Smith

   Jan 30, 10:48 PM

   I tried giving up coffee last winter. I was successful for about 2 months; had switched myself over to less-caffeinated green tea. But as time wore on, I started getting back into coffee again. I’m definitely not drinking as much as I once did (I used to be at the 12 to 15 cup a day range, now down to 4 to 6 a day).
   
   Like JesterXL, until someone proves to me that coffee is extremely terrible for me, I can’t see myself giving it up. I quit smoking about 3 years ago, and that was hard enough…

4. Bryan Rieger

   Jan 30, 10:58 PM

   Over the years I’ve managed to go from 12-15 cups per day during university down to 3 or 4 per day over the past few years. I’ve quit completely for a few months a couple of times – but I really miss having a REALLY good, long americano.
   
   Now, I try to only have coffee when I really want one – and then only the really good stuff. Most of the time I’ll opt for hot water with lemon, or herbal tea.
   
   Health-wise reducing my coffee intake has made a huge difference in my ability to concentrate and my overall mood.

5. Nathan Pitman

   Jan 30, 11:15 PM

   As a result of my 2 week ‘stint’ without, I’ve noticed that I’m able to nod off more easily at night, previously I would find myself just sitting there in bed a good hour or so on, thinking: ‘I’m still awake’. I’ve also been dreaming more, which can only be a good thing.
   
   This could all be coincidence, but I’d like to think there’s a connection there somewhere.

6. Drew McLellan

   Jan 30, 11:31 PM

   Well I’ve been dreaming more too, so perhaps it’s not so much the coffee as the work ;)
   
   The real question is, however, can you give up the wine?

7. Eric

   Jan 31, 01:10 AM

   Well everyone dreams a certain amount every night, we just don’t remember all of them. The fact that you’re remembering more means your sleeping lighter.
   
   ...but who cares dreaming is all good :)

8. Nathan Pitman

   Jan 31, 09:05 AM

   Eric: That’s interesting, it hadn’t occurred to me that I might actually be sleeping lighter, and hence, remembering more of my dreams (I had a real strange one last night!).

9. Grant Skinner

   Jan 31, 09:25 PM

   I don’t drink coffee anymore either, and think I’m better off for it – besides, it interferes with drinking the important stuff: beer.
   
   For me at least, I only remember dreams when I’m very well rested – I think because I get past the extremely deep sleep of exhaustion, and move into a lighter sleep pattern in the morning (when you are most likely to remember dreams).
   
   Cheers.

10. Nick

    Feb 1, 08:49 AM

    I cannot imagine my life without coffee. I’m impressed!

11. Jon

    Feb 3, 09:44 AM

    Whoa! I’m not a massive coffee fan, but couldn’t imagine life without tea or coke (a-cola that is). Keep up the good work dude!