Who Needs Coffee When You Have Willpower?

Drinking 2-3 cups of coffee a day starting becoming a social norm at work and university, just about when lunch started to be something people “do” instead of “eat”. But is drinking so much coffee in the day really damaging anything? Does it really give you the right wake up call when you start falling asleep in lectures or even at client meetings?

Of course it does. But is Coffee the new smoking habit of the 21st century? I’m sure there must be a better way.

Here are some facts from ScienceDaily.com explaining the effects of Coffee on an individual:

Adenosine, a chemical in the brain that causes drowsiness by slowing down nerve cell activity, is a key to understanding caffeine addiction. When we are tired adenosine triggers the brain to slow down so we will go to sleep and naturally rejuvenate brain function. The purpose of sleep is to replenish certain chemicals in the brain to help with efficient nerve cell firing.

So this “adenosine” is the only warning or part of the body which tells you “ok stop right now, you need some sleep - like, now!”. And the reason for sleeping is to restock brain cells which you have used up beforehand, whether it be debugging code, creating a spreadsheet, selling items at a counter, or simple things such as thinking about something.

Caffeine blocks the effects of adenosine by occupying the adenosine receptor sites and preventing the brain from seeing it. So even if you are tired and are in need of sleep to rejuvenate your brain chemistry, caffeine tricks the brain into thinking it is wide awake.

Yes, it tricks you. Personally, I don’t voluntarily drink coffee, I just opt out for a juice or a glass of water instead. Failing that, a quick nap in the toilet does the trick. (I’m kidding. Seriously.) I also found the following things helpful:

• Go for a quick walk around outside and return
• Listen to music
• Do star jumps in the hallways
• Drink some water
• Talk to someone

But really, nothing can substitute sleep. Sleep earlier the day before. Sleep in on weekends. Although you may lose an hour here and there, it will save you many years in the future to enjoy your retirement. (Assuming you have one…)

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