What is the first thing you do in the morning, right after you wake up? Chances are, you brush your teeth, wash your face, and make a beeline for the coffee machine to get a cup of the strong stuff to get your day started. Which makes sense, considering that coffee is the classic kick in the morning that gets us wake instantly. But, recent reports say that this age old tradition of drinking coffee right in the morning might not be a very good practice. Now that we know that we have been doing it wrong all those years, let us find out which is the right way to drink this potent beverage.
Mid morning is the best
We drink coffee in the morning because that is when we feel the least awake, and crawling from the bed to the kettle seems absolutely logical. However, according to new research by Steven Miller, morning is when the body is naturally awake, even without the external caffeine kick. Our cortisol levels- that is, the hormone responsible for making us feel awake, are the lowest between 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., so, actually, that is the best time we should head for a cup of coffee.
End of the workday
A cup of coffee sometime around 10 a.m. and the lunch by 2 o’clock gives us enough energy to carry on for the rest of the workday. However, as the day approaches its end, sometime around 4 p.m., our energy levels begin to drop again, owing to dipping levels in cortisol. The drowsiness that we feel around this time, as our time in office comes to a close for the day, can be countered by a steaming mug of coffee, and we will be good to go till night.
When you need it
Coffee is best drunk when you really need it, and that does not include mornings or stressful periods. If you are feeling low on energy, wait it out. It will probably pass after a while; if it doesn’t, you know it’s time for coffee. Listen to your body clock; you will know you need caffeine because you are feeling really lethargic, and not because it is the time you usually drink a cup.
Bedtime is bad
A lot of us do have the habit of drinking a hot mug of coffee right before we go to bed, especially for the night owls among us. But that is a really bad idea, which makes sense, of course. Caffeine boosts the release in cortisol, which helps us stay awake. That is perfectly alright when you have work to complete by the night, but making it a habit can be dangerous, because long time sleep deprivation is detrimental for health. Ideally, you should not drink coffee for at least three hours before going to sleep.
Also read: Best time to drink green tea
Coffee is a magical drink for most of us, and most of us cannot imagine life without the beans. But with its life giving-properties come pretty serious side effects. So, it is best to keep the habit in check, and not reach for a cup of coffee any time we feel like it. Of course, at times, it is justifiable, but coffee can be most enjoyed, and for longer, if we take it in moderation.