I need some healthy talk about caffiene and stress

[Hendy]

I am coming to the realization that a lot of the physical stress I have is based on the amount of caffiene I ingest daily.

Allow me to explain.

I drink 4 large cups-o-joe when I wake up. Takes about 45 minutes. Right after that I roll into Mt. Dews and that's where it gets ugly. I drink roughly 8-10 bottles of Dew thoughout the balance of the day. Never less and sometimes more (depends on the temp).

As some of you may have noticed, my time here has been rather brief. I had been awarded a very large program for my shop that has taken all of my time. I have been dealing with all kinds of really crazy, unbelievable mismanagement (the customers org) that has created many long days (and nights) for me. I'm a damn salesman, why am I involved?

What I am looking for is some helpful information that I might be able to use to get off the caffiene kick (that will be ugly) and maybe something to help me reduce the physical stress. I am so tight I think I would shatter if I fell down. Plus, I can't swing a damn golf club for my life.

SO PLEASE, HELP A BROTHA OUT THANKS

 

[Tegu]

Hang tough man...less caffine, more cigars...lol

Wish I had some sage advice....dont mistake pleasure for happiness. You may enjoy the caffine but it sounds like it is doing you more harm then good.

 

[Ed Monton]

That's a lot of soda pop. Sugar is worse for you than caffeine in my opinion. I think you should cut out the pop and start eating healthy snacks throughout the day to balance out your energy levels. My 2 cents. Good luck bro!

 

[WkndSmoker]

I have heard keeping a water bottle full of water by your side, and drinking it regularly can curb nicotine cravings, and I want to say I have heard this for caffeine as well. A buddy of mine quit smoking cigarettes this way, he was constantly drinking water.

I am probably addicted to the stuff as well, I have my morning 20 oz cup of joe each day, after that though I only drink water and beer, once home of course not on the job. Every now and again a soda or a sweet tea for a treat when I get the craving.

 

[Otaku]

I can share my experience with cutting things out of my life. Whenever I tried to "cut back" on something I would never succeed in the long run. The only thing that ever works is doing away with it completely. I gave up drinking and smoking cold turkey. The little bit of pain was worth it in the long run. Also I got into being aware of myself and my actions, and reactions for that matter. I dunno, my experience lead me to meditation and giving it up to the g man. I'm powerless over many many many things. But then again, it's only caffiene! Balance and moderation are always key. Sorry if I sound preachy. Just my story bro! Good luck!

 

[Le Buzz]

Damn bro!!!! you're gonna spin off this planet with all that caffeine. you will have to gradually wind down off of it or you probably will CRASH real hard.

As for the stress... you gotta find ways to minimize it. I know that might sound pointless sometimes because you might feel like you can't control alot of things, but stress will kill you bro.

I went thru 4 years of stress. you name it I went thru it. I had to structure my life in a way that i didn't encounter sources of stress, no matter how ruthless I had to be. (with family, friends, at work.) It got to the point where my well being was NUMBER 1, otherwise i would have had a heart attack or a stroke.

 

[AlohaStyle]

That's a lot of soda pop. Sugar is worse for you than caffeine in my opinion. I think you should cut out the pop and start eating healthy snacks throughout the day to balance out your energy levels. My 2 cents. Good luck bro!

Sorry to hear Hendy... I hope things turn around for you as stress is not a fun thing to deal with.

I definitely agree with Ed Monton though... I would be worried with all that sugar you are putting in your body. If you drink 10 Mt Dews in a day, you are putting 26.95 ounces of sugar in your body. So you can look at one of those bottles of Dew and realize that's pure sugar you are putting in your body. Plus you have almost 7 more ounces of sugar in your next bottle! It's a roller coaster of energy and downers...

I'm not trying to preach, but that can bring a person down. A couple other people said the right thing... just try and cut down by having a water bottle with you. Just keep refilling a plastic water bottle during the day and drinking from that when you get the urge to drink something. Maybe drink an iced coffee in the afternoon for a treat and a little caffeine while you are going through the transition.

Good luck brother!

 

[cvm4]

Damn Scott, I knew you drank a lot of caffeine (coffee & Mt. Dew). But that is a shit load bro. I suggest you wind it down slowly. You'll get an intense crash coming off of that much caffeine trying to go cold turkey. Keep your morning coffee routine but space out the Dew urgers. Good luck to you bro.

 

[Wink]

You gotta remember caffeine is a drug just because it's in the coffee, soda, chocolate doesn't make it any better for you! Sounds like you have an addiction my friend. Cold turkey with any drug as you know has it's side effects!
If you need a boost try 5 hour energy when you start to lag works Great! I think a side effect of caffeine is anxiety,get the shakes...I guess how it effects the nerves. Some how some way you have to cut back one cup at a time.

 

[AnthonyP]

I hear ya on the caffeine! I drink only a cup a day and that's enough to get me by.

Try eliminating the soda and mixing reg coffee and decaf and see how you end up. Good luck bro!

 

[GoingPostal]

Yeah used to have the same problem, two 24 oz coffee's in the morning. then anywhere from 14-20 12 oz cokes and at least half a pack of cigaretes. You can try cold turkey but thats damn tough. What i did was picked what i wanted to cut back and took one at a time. For the soda cravings, try to carry water, plenty of it and colder the better. pick how many your going to limit yourself too, start with six lets say stick to it and sub water or keep sweet fruits handy, oranges and apricots worked for me, then slowly decrease from there. For the coffee try black tea, has caffeene but not as much and should help you with the withdrawl, also tea takes a bit more time to prep so you just will drink less. I noticed as my body got used less stimulants the cravings went down as well.

For the stress got to find something that relaxes you and evidently cigar smoking isn't cutting it. I got myself a heavy bag and just puched the hell out of it when the stress got to me, and hitting the golf course/driving range also helped. Find something you enjoy that takes your mind off your problems. Hope this is some help to you

 

[sean]

Not to chime in sounding like a left-coast nut job, but caffeine aside, you gotta loosen up. Ride a bike (my favorite), play some drums (my other favorite), do some Yoga or Tai-chi... meditation is good too. Or f*ck, man... go get a massage. My wife is a high school teacher who is, in her own way, an addict. She goes to this chain called Massage Envy that has all kinds of package deals... she goes from raging b*tch to cuddly-kitten after an hour massage.

 

[.jacob]

I love the green tea. It is slightly less caffinated, has healthy chlorophyll, a cup can be resteeped ~5 times and the caffine drops each cup so it's easy to 'come down,' and it's damn good. If it's the cold stuff you like do ice tea with some lemon and no sweetener. Brew it yourself and stay healthy and keep the wallet fat.

Bikram yoga has also been a wonderful destresser/mind-clearer.

 

[srduggins]

I can share my experience with cutting things out of my life. Whenever I tried to "cut back" on something I would never succeed in the long run. The only thing that ever works is doing away with it completely. I gave up drinking and smoking cold turkey. The little bit of pain was worth it in the long run. Also I got into being aware of myself and my actions, and reactions for that matter. I dunno, my experience lead me to meditation and giving it up to the g man. I'm powerless over many many many things. But then again, it's only caffiene! Balance and moderation are always key. Sorry if I sound preachy. Just my story bro! Good luck!

I agree with this. I'm not sure how much of a crash coming off of that much caffeine (and sugar). IF you can cut back first, that's make it easier later. Either way, lots of Vitamin C will help with any cravings.

 

[Greg]

Monster is your friend, Bro.

And here I thought that you knew how to ease the stress. :grin: Music is good, golf, and sex with your hot neighbor, that always works.

 

[Hendy]

Thanks boy's. Kinda figured I was a little over the edge on the caf. Gonna give a shot at all ideas and take it slow. I'd hate to be on the other side of me any crankier than I am.

By the by, I didn't mention that I smoke 1.5 packs of smokes a day and at least 2 extra strength excedrine. I think it's time to take a step back. Maybe all the little pains I get will go away.

Let's see what happens when I go a day without Mt. Dew. News at 11.

 

[cvm4]

:rofl: You can do it bro or go out with a bang :grin:

 

[Hendy]

Just think of all the $$ for sticks I would have if I broke these.

 

[cvm4]

Yea, that Mt. Dew habit has to be more than the cigarettes are per day :dunno:

 

[darkman]

I got 2 words for ya........COLD TURKEY!

Good Luck Buddy!