When I Drank Too Much Espresso

I used to drink copious amounts of espresso when I first started working at Starbucks. And I mean copious. Partially because I didn't really understand just how much espresso really did affect me and also because I did not realize just how much caffeine I was drinking almost every day of the week.

I didn't realize I had a legitimate caffeine addiction until I took a few days off from work in a row and wasn't getting any espresso and really not drinking any form of caffeine. The withdrawal headaches were the giveaway.

I would have a horrible headache that would go away if I drank a soda. Which really isn't a big deal since caffeine helps headaches for those who aren't addicted to caffeine. But I was having a miserable time if I didn't get some form of caffeine into my system.

Going Decaf?

Going decaf has been on my mind a great deal lately really only because I don't like the idea of being dependent on caffeine to function.

I have always thought decaf. was pointless since I was never really the biggest fan of the actual taste of coffee. I usually only got coffee to fill me up and keep me going.

Now that I'm reaching the end of my college career I'm realizing that I will probably (hopefully) not need a jolt nearly as often as I do now.

Maybe the real culprit here is the lack of sleep I regularly get, or is it that I don't get?

I almost never get over six hours of sleep a night unless it's the weekend... then I hibernate for twelve hours and don't feel any more rested than if I only got five hours of sleep.

Getting a solid amount of sleep every night may get rid of the lingering need for caffeine on the daily.

I already don't drink caffeinated soda very often and I almost never drink energy drinks anymore. So really, my source of caffeine is coffee, espresso, and tea.

Tea doesn't have enough caffeine in it to cause real harm (unless you mix it with a refresher).

I've figured out how I handle espresso... half-caf... all day... everyday...

But then there's my holy grail coffee... I have found a love for my dark roast with vanilla cream. I mean I'll always give something a try, but no guarantees that this decaf. idea will stick.

A Lethal Combination

I have found yet another tasty but unfortunately dangerous beverage concoction recently.

I am on the hunt for something cold and refreshing that still has some kick in it now that spring is officially here and summer will be here before we know it.

I avoid any form of milk product when it is too warm outside because it really does not sit well as the day wears on. So I typically end up getting an iced black tea lemonade with a splash of strawberry juice and no sweetner (as mentioned in "My Caffeine Go-Tos!").

This has been falling a little flat for my tastebuds so I figured I would try mixing one of the Starbucks refreshers with the iced black tea. I ordered a strawberry acai refresher with black tea instead of water. I gave it a whirl and will only have it on the rare occasion that I need a next level amount of caffeine.