Lately, I’ve been reading a lot about the epidemic of anxiety in America. It is affecting people of all ages and the factors contributing to anxiety are many. Still, the root cause of the affliction remains a mystery, specially when it comes to explaining anxiety in teens.
The addiction to electronics remains a top concern. We would all be wise to put our phones down and pick up a book or play a table game every once in a while, adults and teens alike.
But, after getting through another of my customary abstentions from coffee for a week — note, I drink only decaf, though — I sit here wondering: How much have coffee and caffeinated drinks in general contributed to the epidemic of anxiety?
But, after enjoying my first cup of caffeinated coffee in years — I drink only decaf once a week, if that much — I sit here wondering: How much have coffee and caffeinated drinks in general contributed to the epidemic of anxiety?
By “coincidence” (or is it?), I now sit here suffering from pressure in my chest and this nervous feeling that if I don’t go out and run to get my lungs in shape I won’t be able to breathe anymore. I know this is the caffeine acting up because I have never had any experience with anxiety before and I hear this is kind of how it goes. Palpitations, pressure on the chest, shortness of breath, nervousness.
Through the years, I have been abstaining from coffee more and more, to the point where the past two or three years I have only had decaf coffee, never regular. Recently, I have also decided to abstain from my decaf for at least a week at a time to make sure I get my calcium and vitamin C intakes from other morning libels. This is the first time caffeine — mere traces of it in my decaf — has affected me this much.
Obviously, my data ain’t that complete but if you are suffering from anxiety and are looking for relief why not try abstaining from coffee and all caffeinated drinks for a week or two to see if your symptoms decrease?
The body is a mysterious vessel we have to learn to listen to. It’d be interesting to hear what it has to say about caffeine.
