How to Wean Yourself From Caffeine

Some people are able to drink caffeine with no ill effects while others develop health problems that make consuming caffeine a bad idea. People with diabetes, high blood pressure and insomnia are just a few that should quit consuming caffeine. Fortunately, there are plenty of good alternatives available, and quitting is largely a matter of choosing something else to drink.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Decaf coffee
• Flavored water (still or sparkling)
• Whole milk
• Sweet snacks
• Caffeine-free pain reliever

1. Clear a weekend of commitments and begin on a Friday.
2. Start with coffee. Drink decaf, but don't quit any other sources of caffeine. It may help to drink a higher quality decaf than the coffee you usually drink and to add light cream instead of half-and-half so the decaf feels like an indulgence.
3. Allow yourself time to get extra sleep if you need it. You'll probably want a nap on Friday afternoon and will sleep a lot all weekend. By Monday, you'll be on Day 4 of quitting caffeine. Just stick with the decaf coffee all week.
4. Wait 1 week before cutting anything else. The second Friday, replace all your other sources of caffeine except for chocolate. Replace iced tea with ice water, carbonated drinks with flavored "bubble water," and hot chocolate with hot milk. If you have a headache over the weekend, don't take a pain reliever that has caffeine in it.
5. Quit eating chocolate. By the third Friday you'll have been drinking decaf coffee for 2 weeks and cutting out other caffeinated items for one week. Replace chocolate desserts and snacks with something else like cheesecake or vanilla ice cream.
6. Stop drinking decaf. By the next Friday, the only caffeine you'll be getting is the small amount that comes in decaf coffee. By now you should be asking yourself why you bother with coffee at all. Go ahead and put the coffee pot away.

Tips & Warnings

• If you must have a hot drink to get going in the morning, try Postum or Teeccino.
• When you begin to cut down on the amount of caffeine you consume, you may not feel well. Most notably, you may suffer from withdrawal headaches. These unpleasant side effects don't last long. Be strong.