Myths Vs Facts on Sleep
Myth: Having caffeinated beverages in the late afternoon/ early evening will not affect one’s sleep.
Fact: Caffeine has a half-life of 5 to 7 hours. So, consuming any form of caffeine a little late in the afternoon affects ones sleep adversely.
Caffeine is one of the most popular LEGAL psychoactive drugs used and abused by people across the world. A psychoactive drug is a chemical substance that alters the brain function. Caffeine is a stimulant which helps one to feel refreshed by reducing fatigue and drowsiness, increasing reaction time and concentration.
We are simply ignorant of how long caffeine stays and acts in our system. Research reveals that to wash out just 50 % of caffeine consumed takes an average of 5 to 7 hours.
As caffeine blocks the chemical ‘Adenosine’, which is responsible for sleep, it results in ‘Coffee Cycle’. Coffee cycle is nothing but ‘feeling tired in the morning leading to high caffeine use, which in turn is associated with impaired subsequent sleep patterns’.
Some of the prevalent ways of caffeine intake are herbal tea, tea, coffee, dark chocolate, cacao, some soft drinks, energy drinks, frozen yogurt, ice cream and certain medication such as weight loss pills and pain relievers and the list goes on….
Here’s a tip for those who can’t go without their caffeine - Experts recommend us to, enjoy your caffeine before noon and switch to decaffeinated drinks if there is a craving.
P.S: - ‘De-caffeinated’ does not mean ‘Non-caffeinated’ please check for the caffeine content before consumption.
#themindbodyfoundation #mentalhealth #mindbodyconnection #mentalhealthawareness #counsellingpsychology #chennai #depression #anxiety #mentalhealthexplained #stress #modernlife #lifestyle #sleep #restore #brainhealth #healthymind #happymind #justbeing #insomnia #chronicsleepdeprivation #sleepoppurtunitytime #shortersleep #shorterlife #unlearning #relationshipwithsleep #mythsvsfacts #mythsaboutsleep #counsellingpsychologist #sleepandcaffeine #Therapy
Comments