World Coffee Day 2024

☕ Happy World Coffee Day! ☕

As a Nutritional Therapist specialising in anxiety, I often hear the advice to cut out coffee completely if you're prone to stress and anxious feelings. While it’s true that caffeine can trigger or worsen anxiety in some people, especially those with caffeine sensitivity, this doesn’t mean everyone needs to say goodbye to their favourite cup of coffee.

Let’s break it down with some science:

✅ Caffeine and the Brain: Coffee has been shown to improve focus and memory by increasing levels of neurotransmitters like dopamine and noradrenaline. These mood-boosting chemicals help with alertness and productivity, which can be great for a mental health lift when consumed in moderation.

✅ Antioxidants: Coffee is rich in antioxidants like polyphenols, which protect against oxidative stress—one of the contributing factors to anxiety and mood disorders. These compounds can promote brain health and support overall wellbeing.

✅ Moderation is Key: Drinking coffee in moderation, around 1-2 cups a day, is a safe choice for many people with anxiety. The key is knowing your limits. If you have caffeine sensitivity, your body might metabolise caffeine slowly, leading to jitters or overstimulation. In this case, opting for decaf, dandelion coffee, or chicory coffee could be a gentler alternative while still enjoying that coffee ritual.

It’s important to allow yourself small indulgences that bring you joy, as long as they’re balanced within your overall lifestyle. If coffee is something you love, you can make it work by drinking it mindfully.

P.S. The photos here are of my favourite mug, and some fun tin camping mugs we bought to take out on the beach, which is always one of my happy places ✨