Dear Anxiety:

Dear Anxiety:

Here’s the lowdown: I stopped drinking caffeine a week ago, initially as an experiment, then permanently. In the week since, I’ve seen just how much caffeine was negatively affecting my life, especially where my anxiety is concerned. As most people know, caffeine is a stimulant, so it makes sense that it’s going to do just that. The problem with that though was that caffeine was making my anxiety levels spike, and that resulted in:

  • Irritability
  • Increased stress
  • Sluggishness
  • Problems waking up
  • Problems going to sleep early
  • Decreased productivity

Since dropping caffeine I have seen the inverse of everything listed above. My friends and family have noticed as well, which is fantastic because it means I’m not just imagining the changes. I’m much happier these days, but it’s been about much more than just cutting caffeine. I got a Vitamix for Christmas and boy has that changed how I eat and what I eat. My mind and body feel so much cleaner, so much healthier. I’m exercising regularly again, too. And my writing–my productivity has increased and I’ve been able to find joy in every writing session I sit down for, regardless of how difficult it is to put words to page.

This has been my first step, my first week toward finding joy in my life again, and I couldn’t have asked for a better start after a chaotic end to 2018.

Cheers, friendos. Thank you for reading.