People are drawn to caffeinated beverages for different reasons. Some have developed a liking for the taste, do it for social interaction, or have come to rely on caffeine as a stimulant for an energy boost.
The problem with stimulants is that they “excite” more activity out of the central and/or peripheral nervous systems, while all stimulants also affect the adrenal glands similarly.
However, excess stimulation (innervation) eventually results in enervation (i.e., exhaustion and depletion). At this point, you become further dependent on caffeine, and to compensate, your intake must increase until you've reached the limit and the caffeine no longer produces the kick you're after. A worst-case outcome is you'll be facing chronic fatigue.
In the U.S., an estimated 63% of the population over the age of 18 consume coffee daily. And this is JUST coffee. Now add in caffeine-rich teas such as black tea and instant tea, carbonated drinks, and energy drinks (e.g. sugar free Red Bull).
With our high-stress, often rest-deprived lifestyles and excessive use of stimulants, it should come as no surprise that adrenal fatigue is a widespread problem today.
In classic vicious cycle fashion, adrenal fatigue, in turn, drives further dependency on stimulants to keep us going. So, sometimes, it can be very challenging to break free from coffee or energy drinks and restore normal adrenal health.
There are two main approaches to breaking away from your reliance on caffeinated beverages: (1) Stopping “Cold Turkey” and (2) Progressive Weaning.
Stopping Cold Turkey
Here, you simply stop your consumption of caffeinated beverages all at once and swap out caffeinated for non-caffeinated beverages if needed.
Although this is the fastest way, it’s also the least successful, as most people are unable to pull it off consistently once the cravings and withdrawal symptoms really kick in.
Progressive Weaning
This method takes longer – but is easier – and gives you room to find solutions and lifestyle/dietary changes that'll help you successfully break the dependency permanently. The withdrawal symptoms are also less intense and more easily controlled.
If you haven’t started already, begin by changing your diet.
If possible, invest in a juicer and try getting into the habit of drinking green juices. Recipes are plentiful across the Internet (check, for example, YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram, etc.).
At this point, it'll be helpful to know your blood pressure on both arms along with any other signs and symptoms that help determine adrenal health.
Based on what you find out, you can proceed to find the best way to support your adrenals. We generally use herbs, organic bovine glandulars, and encourage people to rest sufficiently and, to the best of their ability, try to reduce their overall daily stress load.
There are other things you can also do to assist recovery, such as meditation, massages, yoga, and so forth.
The goal is to reduce your caffeine intake gradually. Whether you minimize beverage intake by quarter, half, or full cups at a time is up to you, but slow and steady wins the race.
Dr. Morse's Brain & Nervous Systems formula can help keep nerves settled.
Coffee Alternatives
Suppose coffee is what you’re weaning yourself off of. In that case, there are several popular and caffeine-free herbal coffee alternatives available on the market, which may make the transition easier. Some of these include:
Herbal Infusions and Teas
The following herbal infusions and teas can also help: