Coffee is one of the more popular drinks worldwide and for various reasons. One thing that I’ve noticed is that not only do I enjoy coffee, but I’m never really depressed when I’m enjoying a cup. It doesn’t really matter what type of day that I’m having – it tends to pick me up in some way.
So that has me thinking – does coffee have any effect on our mood? Do we end up feeling better in any way after having a cup of coffee?
Caffeine and Our Mood
Have you ever noticed what type of mood you’re in when you’re drinking coffee? Perhaps, you’re in the office and about to attend a weekly meeting with your colleagues and you stop by the break room to grab a cup of coffee. I’ve’ been there. Even though I may not be that really inspired about sitting in that meeting and discussing my tasks for the day or week, I do find that caffeine helps. Just sipping on my coffee can put me at ease, even if it’s a little.
Or perhaps I’m doing something that I enjoy, like a project or a hobby of mine and I head to the kitchen to brew a fresh pot of coffee. I find myself just a little more focused and motivated. Is there a connection between caffeine and our moods?
Certain studies show that there are some actual effects on our moods that come from drinking caffeinated coffee. One interesting study that I found suggests that just the expectation of coffee can increase our mood. Just the mere anticipation of coffee, including the smell of it, can have a positive effect on us!
Another study by A. Nehlig suggest that drinking 75mg of caffeine (or a regular cup of coffee) every 4 hours can improve our mood over the course of a day. Each cup showed an improvement with the subject’s measures of remaining calm and showing interest in their tasks.
Caffeine and Depression
Caffeine can also be a remedy for fighting depression over the long run. One study in 800 women found that the subjects that regularly drank caffeinated coffee were less likely to become depressed compared to the subjects who went without it. The risk for depression actually decreases as the amount of coffee consumed increases, with women in the study who drank more than 4 per day having the lowest risk of depression.
Keep in mind one shouldn’t go overboard in drinking caffeinated coffee. Anything beyond 400 milligrams a day can have some significant side effects that go way beyond just our moods – like muscle tremors, spasms, upset stomach and of course, insomnia.
Personally, I average somewhere between 4-6 cups of coffee on a daily basis and can’t remember the last time I was dealing with any long term depression. I’m not saying that every day that I drink coffee has been all sunshine and rainbows. Life has its ups and down, but depression is something that I’ve not experienced.
Caffeine and Stress
When it comes to handling stress in my own way, there are a few methods that have always helped out, like stepping outside for a walk, or immersing myself into an intense workout at the gym or a long run – anything to blow off a little steam. But what about those stressful situations where I’m stuck. Perhaps working with a difficult person at work or stuck in a meeting or in the middle of gridlock traffic on you’re commute home?
Some studies have highlighted the positive effects of caffeine when it comes to depression. For example, one experiment suggested that caffeine aids in managing stressful situations as a result of preventing the brain receptors from reacting with a stressful response or bad mood.
Now although Caffeine can elevate your cortisol levels as much as stress – especially if you drink way too much caffeinated coffee during the day – a small to moderated amount of coffee can still life your mood just enough to give me that right amount of adrenaline.
Personally, I found that in a stressful situation, coffee seems to work – especially on one of those stressful and intolerable commutes home from work during rush hour. Just sipping on a small amount caffeinated tea or coffee makes a world of difference in helping me to keep my cool!
Consuming Caffeine
So just how much Caffeine should we be consuming on a daily basis if we wish to enjoy some of its benefits without going overboard?
Many studies and experts are suggesting doses between 200 to 400 milligrams of caffeine daily – and of course this would depend on how strong the caffeine is in your coffee or beverage of choice. The size of the cup has to come into consideration as well. If I’m home, actually drink my brewed coffee in 8-ounce cups, in contrast to the few times that I head to the coffee shop during the week, where I’m drinking the ‘grande’ size, which is actually 16 ounces.
Drink Coffee in Moderation – If we want to enjoy the healthy benefits of caffeine, we should limit our daily caffeine consumption to a reasonable amount. After all – we want to be able to enjoy caffeine in our diet, as long as we don’t develop an addiction or dependency on it.
Caffeine and Exercise – Years ago, seeing coffee machines in my local gyms would always baffle me. But now I understand how caffeine can help stimulate us – especially before a workout. Caffeine also provide focus for us, assuring that we’re optimizing our exercise, and providing us with the stress relieving benefits from workout that can carry us for the rest of the day.
Scheduling when have caffeine – to ensure that we’re getting a good night’s sleep, we want to make sure that caffeine is completely out of our system long before bedtime. Experts recommend at least six hours before going to bed while others suggest making the cut-off at 2 in the afternoon.
Conclusion
What are your thoughts on Caffeine? Are you enjoying some of the healthy benefits of caffeine in your lifestyle? Please tell me about it!
