There are several reasons why coffee may suddenly stop helping one day. Sometimes, exhaustions is just too deep, but other times, we have a completely fixable situation. Often, coffee doesn’t work simply because something else is missing– or, we’ve had so much of it that our bodies have become desensitized. Regardless of the underlying issue, Moms Who Write has you covered… not only with solutions, but with coffee substitutes to keep you going in the meantime!
Solution one: detox
Sometimes, your body gets too used to something and stops responding as easily to it. You may need to stop drinking coffee entirely. I know, I know, easier said than done! But it could be worth it in the long run.
Try switching to half-caf for awhile to wean yourself down without the headaches, then pick a long weekend or a few days of relatively low commitments to cut coffee out entirely. When the craving hits, drink a decaf; the placebo effect is real! After you’ve cut down or eliminated your coffee intake for a week or two, you may be surprised at how much more sensitive you become to its effects.
Overexposure has even been known to cause a coffee allergy (yikes!) so it may be a good idea to detox once in awhile, even if you aren’t experiencing coffee lag. But if you still can’t survive without your caffeine fix, maybe you need to try another source entirely.
When coffee doesn’t work: substitutes for survival
Caffeine from different sources processes differently in the body. Some people find that switching to tea helps (I love this chai!) and can even have additional benefits. Green tea, for instance, might boost metabolism. Try black tea plain, with honey and lemon, or with cream and sugar. You can even make it a latte!
Also, caffeine isn’t the only way to stimulate energy and focus. One of my favorite coffee substitutes is an iced matcha latte with oat milk—it’s easy to prepare, delicious with honey and a touch of maple, and contains a stimulant that’s gentler and longer-lasting than regular caffeine.
My very favorite coffee substitute? A little-known cup of deliciousness known as CrioBru, which is almost exactly like coffee, except it’s brewed from cacao beans! The Ghana French roast has the closest taste to true coffee to me; I also really enjoy the mocha and the double chocolate (which is like a hot cocoa but way healthier!). Instructions say to brew in a French press for about five minutes; I like mine stronger, so I tend to leave it for 14 minutes, swirling it around once or twice throughout.
Solution three: the root of the problem
Drinking coffee is not like putting gas in a car; it’s like flooring the pedal. It floods the engine, but only with the gas already in the tank.
In other words, maybe the coffee isn’t sending energy through you because you aren’t refueling properly. Take a look at your diet and sleep habits. Take a multivitamin. Drink some electrolytes. Get some sun. Take a walk and get your body moving. Talk to a therapist, pastor, or trusted friend; pick someone encouraging, but someone who’s willing to give you honest feedback about those things that are up to you to change. Take care of yourself.
The coffee might not be the problem.
We all face the struggle.
We’re writers. We’re moms. We have a thousand things draining our mental and physical energy everyday. All of us are looking for ways to keep up with it. Luckily, we live in a world where variety is more accessible than at any time in history. Don’t waste it!
I’m sure many of you have discovered your own energy solutions not listed here. Be sure to drop them in the comments for the benefit of the rest of us!
About the Writer: Kathryn Tamburri (@KathrynTamburriAuthor) writes clean YA epic fantasy novels which seethe with slow-burn romance. You can find more of her writing tips on The Devo Blog at KathrynTamburri.com, and learn from her publishing journey by subscribing to her fun author newsletter!