Hi everyone. Just a helpful tip I’d like to share, though I am aware that this affects people differently. 

It’s been a couple years now that I’ve identified (and sought out treatment for) an anxiety disorder. It seemed to be getting worse in 2020, when I officially started to go to therapy on a weekly basis. I’ve also been meditating and jogging more, which combined, have helped me manage my anxiety better. 

One other huge lifestyle change I made was reducing my caffeine. Over the past few years, I would drink one cup of coffee in the morning, and then a latte or coffee in the after noon (1-2pm typically). Sometimes I would buy large drinks. Never thought anything about it. I just loved the taste and how it made me feel. However, over the past 2 years or so, I’ve had a few panic attacks and my heart rate seems to be high consistently. Also, when I had to do a presentation at work (and feel nervous about it), the coffee would make my heart pound and feel like it was going to come out of my chest. One time, I bought a 3 shot espresso latte, and after drinking it, had a panic attack due to how fast my heart was beating. 

This year, I decided to reduce my caffeine. I decided to cut out my second cup of coffee. I thought this would be easy, until the withdrawal symptoms started. Afternoon headaches, irritability, frustration, fatigue, cloudiness, more anxiety (due to symptoms), and lack of concentration. It was horrifying. This lasted about 3 weeks. 

I am aware that I shouldn’t have cut out so much caffeine all at once, but I decided to push through it. Now that I’ve pushed through the symptoms, I feel so much better. My anxiety is at an all time low. My resting heart rate is in the 50-60s and I feel a lot calmer and focused in the afternoon.

I wanted to share my experience because of the drastic improvements I’ve seen in my anxiety. This, combined with weekly therapy, daily meditation, and running has really started my healing journey. 

If you read until here, thank you ❤️