Is coffee your good-morning fuel that gives you a boost of naturally balanced energy and alertness? You might love to drink 4-5 cups a day but as soon as the caffeine kicks in, so do the jitters. Your heart starts pounding and you feel restless and lightheaded.
This is because some people are more sensitive to caffeine and can experience side-effects even after their first cup of coffee. Other people can handle more caffeine or know how to reduce its effects on the body.
If you’re in the first group, there are a few ways you can enjoy your morning brew in peace, without any repercussions to your health.
Keep reading to discover how to prevent coffee jitters and choose the best coffee for your lifestyle.
What Causes Coffee Jitters?
Coffee is a stimulant, which is the main reason people drink it, especially in the morning when they want to wake up quickly. Caffeine affects your nervous system by blocking the neuromodulators that cause drowsiness and fatigue.
This is why you feel instantly alert as soon as you take your first sip of coffee. The caffeine travels to the brain and activates it quickly, so you’re suddenly awake and refreshed. However, too much caffeine can have adverse effects on your brain and nervous system.
If you consume more caffeine than your body can handle, you’ll get agitated and jittery. Your heart will start pounding, your palms will get sweaty, you’ll feel dizzy, and on edge. This is because caffeine activates the production of cortisol and adrenaline in the body, both of which are stress hormones.
At the same time, the symptoms of coffee jitters are not the same for everyone. Each metabolism deals with caffeine intake differently. If you don’t tolerate caffeine well and are considering giving up coffee altogether, there are ways you can reduce or eliminate the coffee jitters and experience a boost of naturally balanced energy.
This is where Sträva CBD coffee comes into play. We use the best CBD we can find and infuse it into carefully selected organic Arabica coffee beans. The soothing effects of CBD counteract the jitters nicely and balance out the caffeine so you can enjoy a cup of full-bodied coffee without the side-effects of caffeine.
Find your perfect match of Sträva CBD coffee here.
Choosing the Best Coffee for You
Not all coffee is the same, so if you want to prevent coffee jitters, try a roast with medium to low caffeine content. The brewing method can affect the amount of caffeine as well. For example, an espresso shot, despite its size, contains more caffeine than a cup of filter coffee.
Also, ‘decaf’ doesn’t always mean ‘caffeine-free’, so read the labels carefully. Sträva Intro Strength Decaf is an excellent choice if you want to cut back on caffeine without eliminating coffee altogether. It contains 4 mg CBD per serving (8 oz cup) and it’s the best way to balance out your nervous system after too much caffeine.
How To Prevent the Jitters
Though everyone reacts to caffeine differently, if coffee jitters bother you and make you feel anxious or on edge, there are a few ways to counteract them while still getting a boost of naturally balanced energy.
1. Eat Before You Drink Coffee
Eating a healthy breakfast packed with nutrients and dietary fiber before your first morning coffee is the best way to prevent coffee jitters. Your body will absorb the nutrients from food as a first source of energy instead of relying on caffeine to wake up.
2. Get Rid of the Pent-Up Energy
If you already have the jitters, try to get rid of the extra energy. If you’re at work, use your lunch break to walk around the block, do a quick workout or run up and down the stairs. If you’re at home, go for a run or to the gym, walk your dog or do housework that requires a lot of energy.
3. Reduce Caffeine Intake
We know this tip is counter-intuitive if you’re a coffee lover, but lowering your caffeine intake can help you prevent the jitters. You don’t have to reduce the amount of coffee you drink - just the amount of caffeine.
You can do this by choosing lighter roasts or decaf coffee for starters. If you do need stronger coffee, try some of our Sträva CBD-infused coffees.
4. Wait It Out
If all else fails, the only thing left is to wait for the jitters to go away naturally. This can be hard to do for most people as you can’t just stop everything and wait. In this case, try to shift your focus to an intellectual or physical activity that requires a lot of brain power or energy. After a short while, you’ll notice the symptoms slowly withdrawing and you can resume your normal activities.
Frosina A. Ivanovic is a content marketing specialist and writer. She’s passionate about quality coffee, travel, wellness, and digital marketing. You can connect with Frosina on LinkedIn or her website, Zhillmatic.