How to Kick the Caffeine Habit

A few years ago, I was drinking about one 2 liter of caffeinated soda a day in addition to four cups of coffee. I couldn't get through the day without it. Many people say caffeine is not addictive, but I feel that it can be. To me an addiction means having a serious dependency on a substance, or anything for that matter; if you feel that you have to have it, it's and addiction.

Now, to clarify; I do not believe there is anything morally wrong with drinking caffeine; In fact, I love the stuff. I just don't enjoy relying on anything to ensure that I function properly. That's why I decided to take control of my caffeine consumption.

If you feel the same way, check out the five tips below. They can help you begin overcoming the need for caffeine.

1. Know why you want to kick the habit. Is it for health reasons? Does it make you feel bad? Do you suffer from anxiety? Perhaps you're like me and simply hate the idea of depending on something to get through the day. Identify your reasons for giving it up, and decide if you are serious enough to try it. To kick any habit you must really want to. That's why so many who try to quit smoking don't succeed; they aren't doing it because they want to.

2. It is best to get caffeine out of your house. I had to get rid of the coffee that was in my fridge and my coffee pot. It is very hard not to drink beverages containing caffeine if they are in your home.

If you live with other caffeine drinkers, you might ask them not to keep it in the house. Of course, you cannot expect everyone else to change their habits, just because you are. If you can't get it out of the house, maybe the others would be willing to store it somewhere that you won't see it all of the time. A mini fridge works well for this but if you don't have one, you could try putting the drinks in the drawers of the refrigerator so that they are not visible every time you open the door.

3. It might help to replace your normal caffeine drinks with another beverage. If you drink coffee every day, you may consider switching to decaf or tea. If its caffeinated soft drinks that you struggle with, try switching to one that is caffeine free. Juice is another good alternative.

4. Since one of the main reasons we drink caffeine is to have more energy, you are going to want to do some other things to give yourself energy instead. Try eating fruit with your breakfast and drinking a large glass of water. Taking a short walk in the morning, or doing some stretching and breathing exercises is also a great way to feel more energized. (For more information on stretching and breathing exercises, see the link on the left listed under resources). There are also multi vitamins targeted at raising energy levels. Be careful though, some of them contain caffeine. It is a good idea to talk to your doctor before taking any kind of supplements, especially if you have serious health issues.

5. Eliminating caffeine from your diet can be difficult. For some it is easier to do so gradually. If that is true for you, you might begin by having one less can of soda a day, or only three cups of coffee instead of four. Gradually cut the amount back each week.

It has been over two years since I made the decision to stop drinking caffeinated sodas and I recently decided to quit drinking coffee everyday. These tips have been very helpful for me. The first week of going without caffeine is the hardest, but after that, it gets a lot easier.

If you are considering eliminating caffeine from your diet, these tips will help you overcome the habit. They are also useful if you simply want to cut back on your caffeine consumption. Whatever the case, I know you can do it.

Good luck!