Give it an hour after you wake up (Picture: Getty Images)
If you rely on coffee to get out of bed each morning, it may be time to rethink your routine.
Many of us head straight to the kettle at the start of each day for the guaranteed energy fix caffeine offers – especially in these dark, chilly winters when the comfort of the duvet is difficult to leave.
According to this expert, however, it’s best to wait at least an hour before drinking coffee. And it’s all down to how it complements your body’s natural hormone production.
Rex Isap, the sleep expert and CEO at Happy Beds said: ‘Upon waking, our cortisol levels, often associated with stress, are at their peak. Surprisingly, cortisol enhances alertness.
‘Having caffeine while cortisol levels are already high may counteract this effect, possibly leading to a tolerance for caffeine.’
Essentially, alongside stopping you from making the most of your cuppa’s rousing benefits, mistiming when you have it can dull this impact long-term.
Sleep and caffeine’s effectiveness can be impacted (Picture: Getty Images)
Your sleep can be affected too, as Rex explains: ‘Throughout the day, our brains produce a sleep-promoting chemical called adenosine. The longer we stay awake, the more adenosine builds up, making us feel sleepy.
‘Yet, caffeine throws a spanner in the works by blocking adenosine receptors, keeping us alert and promoting wakefulness. So, if you’ve ever found it challenging to drift off after a day filled with coffee, this could be the underlying reason.’
By giving it an hour before your first brew, you’re giving the coffee a chance to actually work its pick-me-up magic. Plus, a breather from caffeine means you’ll hopefully consume less throughout the day and in turn sleep more come nighttime.
Alternatively, switching to a caffeine-free option means you can get a hot drink fix without the negatives.
Rex recommends turmeric lattes for their ‘antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties’ and how they can ‘aid in protecting against sleep deprivation, potentially contributing to improved sleep quality.’
Chicory root ‘coffee’ also has a similar taste to the real thing without the potential jitters (although caution is advised for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding), while peppermint and ginger tea can aid digestion, alleviate headaches, and reduce nausea… all sans caffeine.
Becoming a morning person is no easy feat when you need coffee to feel human at the crack of dawn. By breaking the cycle, though, you should feel more rested and less dependent on that cup-shaped crutch.
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Caffeine and cortisol don’t mix.