When we meet up with friends, we often say, “Want to meet for coffee?” “Want to get a drink?” Of course we can order something else, but this example illustrates how these lovely beverages have become a past time and a part of our society.
I greatly appreciate wine, beer and coffee. They have become a part of my life, which I had not really given any thought to until now. It has been interesting (and at first sort of difficult) to experiment with how I feel without them.
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Why? I was curious. My research showed that both coffee and alcohol are acidic, so they throw off the pH balance in the gut and in thus in the body and mood. I had to wonder if these things that I had not questioned were having an effect on me that I wasn’t noticing.
How I stopped drinking alcohol I stopped buying wine or beer at the grocery store in order to stop drinking it. On the rare occasion that I have been to a bar during this time, I have ordered a ginger beer (soda) or a fresh-squeezed juice if it’s available. When I’m at home, I love to replace a wine or beer at night with kombucha to help balance the flora in my tummy and balance my mood.
How I feel now I generally feel more joyful and clear. It is also easier to wake up in the morning. Alcohol is a depressant, and I have really noticed that quality of it. One day after not drinking for a while, I drank half of a beer—it gave me a headache, and made me feel like I was coming down with a cold.
How I stopped drinking coffee Before this experiment, I was quite addicted to coffee and it took about three months (I wasn’t really in a hurry and didn’t want to make myself miserable) to wean myself from its benefits (feeling more wide awake) and side effects (headaches if I didn’t drink it).
I stopped drinking it by switching from coffee to black tea, then slowly drinking fewer and fewer servings of black tea per morning. At first, I would drink three cups of black tea per morning to get the same effect and amount of caffeine that I used to get from coffee. Then I slowly decreased the number of cups until I finally switched to herbal tea. Dandelion root tea with almond milk is delicious and medicinal.
How I feel now I feel more in tune with my surroundings, and more open. There is a more open connection with my heart space and thus my intuition, which makes sense because it is said that spirit doesn’t like caffeine, alcohol, or any other substances (in addition to garlic!).
I also feel quite calm. Caffeine is a stimulant, and it’s not good for anxious people or those prone to worrying. Without caffeine, I feel grounded and more level-headed.
I will definitely enjoy these beverages from time to time—there is nothing like having an espresso and croissant for breakfast, or a delicious wine with dinner. But taking them out of daily life has had an effect on me that I really like.
Have you tried this? If so, what did you notice? If you haven’t tried it, would you consider it?
