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Angel Lewis
CEO, Coffee Cafe
Welcome to my blog page
SO WHAT'S THE BUSINESS ABOUT COFFEE?
While you’re relaxing, reading and sipping coffee, I just wanted to thank you for taking some time to better understand Fair trade and sustainability and how important it is. If you want to learn more, take a look at https://www.fairtrade.net/product/coffee
WEB ARTICLE
Coffee Helps Relax My Mind
"Explore how coffee can ease your mind, along with understanding the underlying causes and additional strategies to cope with what’s bothering you."
Angel Lewis July 15, 2024
“As woman first, a parent, entrepreneur, full-time employee and a graduate student, stress, anxiety and worrying can overtake my mental wellbeing, our mental wellbeing.”
Excessive thinking and escalating thoughts can lead to sleeplessness, impact your mood, and hinder your daily functioning. If your racing thoughts are beginning to disrupt your life, it’s essential to discover methods to soothe your mind. While common advice often includes taking deep breaths, an unexpected remedy that can help quiet your thoughts is coffee. Explore how coffee can ease your mind, along with understanding the underlying causes and additional strategies to cope with what’s bothering you.
So, what are you thinking?
Stress, anxiety, and worry are often thought to be the same, but they have distinct differences. Understanding what you are feeling is the first step toward effective management.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, stress is the body's response to any change that necessitates an adjustment or reaction. It may arise from factors such as an impending deadline. Thus, stress can lead to feelings of worry and anxiety.
How can you distinguish between worry and anxiety? An article in Psychology Today explains the differences: worry primarily occurs in the mind, while anxiety often manifests physically throughout the body. Worry typically stems from more tangible concerns, whereas anxiety can involve exaggerated fears (for instance, you might worry that your partner will be upset over a missed task; on the other hand, you might feel anxious that a small disagreement could jeopardize your marriage). Worry is generally short-lived and can be resolved when the concern is tackled, while anxiety tends to persist longer. Although worry is generally seen as a normal reaction, anxiety may be classified as a disorder based on its duration and severity ( Blall Haas M.D., 2017).
Don't Stress, Enjoy Coffee
For those dealing with anxiety, the idea of consuming caffeine might appear contradictory. However, a study indicates it could promote calmness. The research involved two groups of mice, one group receiving caffeine in their water and the other receiving plain water. After three weeks, both groups faced stressors, and the findings revealed that the caffeine group managed stress more effectively (Mendaros, 2018). While more research is necessary to determine if these results apply to humans, the initial findings are encouraging for coffee enthusiasts.
Earlier studies have also associated coffee drinking with a reduced risk of depression. Additionally, caffeine stimulates the release of dopamine—a neurotransmitter linked to feelings of happiness—specifically in the brain region that governs mood, as noted by Psychology Today. The experience of coffee drinking itself may also contribute to its calming effects, including visits to local cafés, interactions with friendly baristas, and taking a moment to savor your beverage amidst a hectic day.
However, moderation is key; excessive caffeine can negatively impact health. Two cups of coffee daily is generally sufficient, and it's advisable to enjoy it without sugar and, for those who are lactose intolerant, without milk. If you're facing insomnia along with anxiety, reducing caffeine consumption may be beneficial (Johns Hopkins Medicine).
Alternative Methods to Soothe Your Mind
Although coffee may offer some benefits, it shouldn’t be your primary strategy for dealing with stress and anxiety. Equip yourself with techniques to manage feelings of anxiety when they arise.
Visit your peaceful place.
Imagine being in a location that brings you peace, whether it’s your favorite beach or the serene mountains with fresh air. You can visualize your worries and emotions as clouds drifting by or waves receding from the shore, symbolizing their departure. Focus on taking deep, calming breaths—anxiety often leads to shallow breathing.
Express your feelings.
Finding an outlet for your thoughts can help you process them more easily. Writing in a journal before bedtime can help relieve some of your concerns, paving the way for a restful night. Speaking with a friend or therapist can also be beneficial.
Set aside “worry time.”
Allow yourself to feel stressed about your concerns, but only for a specified period. Set a deadline for this worry time and then continue with your day. Practice mindfulness. Anxiety often stems from anticipating future events.
Concentrate on the present moment.
Remember, worrying is essentially enduring discomfort twice. Adopt healthy routines.
Maintain a balanced diet and focus on healthy choices.
Engage in regular physical activity, and ensure you get adequate rest. If you experience negative effects from caffeine and find it unhelpful, consider reducing your intake. Also, limit alcohol consumption. Prioritizing self-care can significantly alleviate your worries.
Last but not least- bond with your favorite person over coffee.
Take some time to relax and bond with one of your favorite people, my favorite happens to be my daughter. We always take time to enjoy coffee and hot chocolate with whipped cream to bond, relax and have fun.
