Nine out of 10 North Americans take a psychotropic (mind-altering) drug daily. Every day? – The culprit? Everyday, ordinary, over-the-counter caffeine.
In our last column we reviewed some of the damage that caffeine can do to the body. Although the effects are usually brushed aside by coffee users as being benign, caution and moderation may be advisable, to say the least.
Habit Patterns
While occasional small doses of caffeine will hardly make a difference, the trouble is that most of us have a hard time knowing when to stop. What is all too often true is that a person can get hooked with a relatively small amount of caffeine if it’s on a fairly regular basis. The pattern gets set. And we are in. And we are stuck.
Any alternatives for the caffeine high?
When you get up in the morning, follow your hot shower with a blast of cold water and towel off briskly. At work, stand up, stretch, and take a few deep breaths every hour or so. Take a brisk walk at breaktime or during lunch hour. Drink a cup of cold (or hot) water several times a day. Walk to a window and relax your eyes on the distant landscape. Tidy up your work area. All these good things will make you feel better. Look for other creative ways to get a lift without the letdown.