Why You Should Give Up Caffeine For Good

Caffeine — it's what makes the world go 'round, right? Wrong. While most of us swear that we couldn't start our day off right without a giant cup of joe, there are a few convincing reasons to give up caffeine once and for all. Of course, consuming caffeine in moderation won't kill you, but if you're thinking of kicking the habit to the curb for good, here are a few reasons why that might be a good idea.

At the root of it, caffeine is a powerful substance. It has the ability to affect our bodies in ways that many other foods and beverages cannot, and while this can sometimes be awesome (who doesn't need an occasional boost to get them through the day?), it can also be not so awesome (jittery hands and not being able to fall asleep until four in the morning are definitely less desirable side effects).

From the chemical effects caffeine has on your body to the financial costs of shelling out for coffee every morning, if you’re looking for an excuse to push you over the no-caffeine-ledge, then you’ve come to the right place. Caffeine might have a world of benefits, but that doesn’t stop it from having disadvantages as well. Sorry to be a buzzkill… or caffeine-kill, more accurately.

1. It's Addicting

Caffeine is a drug, and it's an addictive one at that. While there's nothing wrong with consuming it sometimes, you don't want to become physically dependent on any substance. The more addicted your body becomes to caffeine, the less it will rely on its own natural sources of energy.

2. It Can Raise Your Blood Pressure

Caffeine can raise your blood pressure, and high blood pressure is not a good thing. While researchers still can't pinpoint what exactly it is in caffeine that raises blood pressure, it has been determined that dramatic increases can occur even in people who don't struggle with high blood pressure on a regular basis.

3. It Causes Unnecessary Anxiety

Caffeine stimulates the adrenal glands, which is probably something you want to avoid if you're somebody who deals regularly with anxiety issues, since anxiety can already cause its own unwanted high levels of adrenaline. You don't want to make it worse with a cup of caffeine.

4. It Can Give You The Jitters

Even if you don't struggle with anxiety on a regular basis, caffeine is still known to give the jitters to many people who consume it. From shaky hands to a general feeling of unrest, kicking the caffeine habit can help physically relax your body.

5. It's Expensive

Let's say you spend $3 a day on a coffee. That totals up to more than $1,000 for the year. If you were drinking water instead, you could use that $1,000 to buy yourself 10 new pairs of shoes... or two new bikes... or a weeklong trip to New Orleans... or whatever else your heart desires. And what if you're drinking two or three cups of caffeinated beverages? We're talking $2,000 to $3,000 a year. Yikes.

6. It Can Negatively Affect Your Sleep

Caffeine has a half-life of four to six hours, meaning the effects of the drug in your system take quite a while to leave your body. Even if you stop drinking coffee after noon, studies have shown that those who entirely kick the habit still end up getting a better night's rest than those who are regulating it.

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