Mindful Caffeine Alternatives: My Journey to Peace with Tea 🍵

TL;DR

A year off caffeine helped heal my anxiety. I now approach it mindfully, choosing options like Sencha green tea with calming L-theanine. More people are reevaluating caffeine, so you’re not alone — honor what feels best for you. Read on! 🌱

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Beautiful, bright green matcha. The incredible aroma of jasmine tea. A freshly brewed batch of coffee. These are a few of my favorite things! It’s the little things in life, right? There’s such a comforting ritual around having a delicious beverage to start your day while you go about your routine.

But let me be honest with you… caffeine and I have had a rocky relationship. As I’ve mentioned before, my health and mental well-being journey has included a fair share of anxiety and panic. When I share about this topic, it’s not to complain or look for sympathy. Sometimes, the challenges we experience in life end up becoming our greatest growth opportunities – I know this has been the case for me. It’s my hope that by speaking on these issues, I can help everyone feel less alone. We’re in this together. I’ve got you!

The Challenge of 2023

2023 was the most challenging year of my life so far. Caffeine only exacerbated my anxiety and panic. I truly believe that some people are much more sensitive to caffeine than others. If your nervous system is already in an activated state, even a small amount of caffeine could tip the balance unfavorably.

I was disappointed when a cup of coffee or tea would make me feel like my heart was racing, giving me that classic tight chest, can’t-get-a-deep-breath feeling. I gave up caffeine several times to see if it would make a difference — and it really did. The anxiety was so bad at one point that I thought it might be time to give it up for good.

At first, it felt isolating. Already having food restrictions due to allergies and being happily sober, the thought of giving up these delicious beverages felt depressing. But I started to notice something comforting: more and more people seemed to be reevaluating their relationship with caffeine. Once, I was at La Colombe, and the person ahead of me ordered a decaf coffee in the morning. And I remember not feeling so alone. We laughed and bonded about our decaf orders. Research is showing that caffeine can disrupt hormone levels, with studies linking it to changes in estrogen levels in women. It can also affect the gut microbiome, altering its diversity and composition, which is crucial to digestion and overall health. Knowing that I wasn’t alone in this struggle — and seeing that the science backs these changes — gave me strength to stick with it.

Drawing Boundaries

I eliminated caffeine for over a year. My therapist supported me in listening to my intuition and honoring my needs. I had to draw a hard boundary with caffeine, and over time, my body started to feel more stable. It was one less thing to worry about revving up my nervous system, which started to regulate itself, and I healed.

Even as I began to feel stronger, I held off on caffeine. I avoided anything that could disrupt the peace I had worked so hard to rebuild — even my favorite Coconut & Cold Brew Jeni’s ice cream! But slowly, that fear dissipated. I felt safe in my body again.

A New Beginning

After a year, I decided to experiment. I started with barely steeped low-caffeine tea or just a tiny serving of matcha. To my surprise, I was fine! This time, I approached caffeine with an entirely new mindset.

I realized that mindfulness was key! If I had something important coming up — like teaching a yoga class or an intense workday — I would skip caffeine altogether. It’s no longer a habitual part of my routine, and that shift has been a game-changer.

Now, I pay attention to what my body needs and how my day looks before deciding. This intentional approach has allowed me to enjoy a morning cup of tea again without the anxiety I used to feel.

Mindful Caffeine Alternatives: Discovering Sencha

Through this journey, I’ve also discovered the magic of Sencha green tea. It’s been a lifesaver for me! My doctor at the Raby Institute in Chicago, who generally advises against caffeine, says that green tea is the only acceptable option.

Sencha, in particular, doesn’t seem to aggravate my anxiety at all. One reason is the presence of L-theanine, an amino acid found in green tea that promotes relaxation and helps balance the stimulating effects of caffeine. The unique combination of L-theanine and caffeine in Sencha can enhance focus and cognitive function while minimizing the jitteriness often associated with coffee or other caffeinated beverages.

The Rishi brand I use is incredible — you can tell it’s high quality by the gorgeous spring green color of the tea once brewed. It’s so different from most “green teas” on the market, and I truly enjoy it as part of my routine.

Embracing the Ritual

It may sound silly but I’m just so happy to be able to enjoy a morning cup of tea again! It's a sign of progress. And as lovely as warm water with lemon is, it isn’t the same. Coffee, tea, matcha — whatever your morning beverage of choice is — is more than just a tasty drink. It’s a ritual. A signal that we have a fresh new day ahead with endless possibilities. A bit of joy to start our day.

Final Thoughts

If caffeine doesn’t make you feel good, it’s OK to let it go and explore mindful caffeine alternatives instead. It might feel hard at first, but it’s worth it. For me, giving up caffeine for a year was one of the most healing decisions I’ve made. It taught me to tune in to my body and honor what it needs.

And here’s the comforting part: you’re not alone. More people are recognizing that caffeine isn’t for them, and that’s OK. Whether you’re caffeine-free or navigating a new relationship with it, know that your journey is valid — and that it might lead to a deeper understanding of yourself.

Much love 💖,

Alexandra