There are few things that are more magical than coffee. It tastes good, it smells nice, and it’s pretty much the only way that we can actually feel awake anymore. But as great as a cup of joe in the morning is, the jitters that often accompany a large dose of caffeine are never fun. If you want to avoid that shaky, out-of-control feeling, here are a few tips to help you know your limits with coffee.
What Causes the Jitters?
The jitters are caused by the caffeine in coffee. It’s a chemical that is meant to keep you awake, focused, and filled with energy, so it makes sense that it can be a bit too much for some people. Your body can react in certain ways to caffeine that are unpleasant, such as headaches and tremors.
Why Do I Get the Jitters?
You may have noticed that you get jitters from drinking coffee while other people seem to be unaffected. There are a few reasons for this. First of all, caffeine is a chemical like any other, and it affects everyone differently. Some people naturally react to it by getting shaky while others do not. Second of all, jitters can change depending on how used to caffeine you are. This is where knowing your own limits come in.
Experiment With Your Limits
If you are tired of dealing with the jittery effects of coffee, it might be time to learn your limits. Getting the jitters while drinking caffeinated beverages doesn’t mean that you need to abandon them entirely, it just means that you need to find a way to drink them without feeling so awful.
A great way to start experimenting is to decrease how much you are drinking every morning. If you’re used to drinking a big mug’s worth of coffee, fill it up halfway instead of all the way. Then try to pay attention to how your body feels. Are you still getting jittery? And if not, is it still making you feel awake?
A great way to start experimenting is to decrease how much you are drinking every morning. If you’re used to drinking a big mug’s worth of coffee, fill it up halfway instead of all the way. Then try to pay attention to how your body feels. Are you still getting jittery? And if not, is it still making you feel awake?
You can think of the effects of coffee in two categories: the negative and the positive. You want to decrease the negative effects as much as possible while keeping the positive effects like alertness and awakeness. You could get rid of the jitters entirely by cutting coffee out of your diet entirely, but you would also lose the negative effects.
So, at the end of the day, it’s a balancing act. Experiment with how much coffee you can drink while dodging the jitters. You should aim to make each morning as enjoyable as possible. It may take a bit of trial and error, but it will be worth it in the end.
So, at the end of the day, it’s a balancing act. Experiment with how much coffee you can drink while dodging the jitters. You should aim to make each morning as enjoyable as possible. It may take a bit of trial and error, but it will be worth it in the end.
Explore Coffee Alternatives
Sadly, there are some of us that just aren’t really built to drink coffee. No matter how much you cut down on it, you still might be struggling with shakiness. If that’s the case, it may be time to try out some coffee alternatives.
There are lots of drinks out there that you can replace coffee with. And, on the bright side, many of them are even better for you than coffee! Matcha is becoming more and more popular, so it should be readily available in most stores near you. Yerba mate is also another great choice for energy in the mornings. And then there are all of the various teas out there that can give you a boost while helping you dodge the jitters.
There are lots of drinks out there that you can replace coffee with. And, on the bright side, many of them are even better for you than coffee! Matcha is becoming more and more popular, so it should be readily available in most stores near you. Yerba mate is also another great choice for energy in the mornings. And then there are all of the various teas out there that can give you a boost while helping you dodge the jitters.
As great as coffee can be, it really is no fun if it causes you to have a shaky, jittery morning. Take control of your life, learn your limits, and make your mornings enjoyable again!