… And you won’t believe what happened. Read as team SWIISH’s caffeine-obsessed Nutritionist & Content Assistant kisses her beloved cup of joe goodbye.
Lani has a passion for all things health and wellness. She recently tried a 3-day coffee detox for the first time… here’s what she had to say about it.
Day 1
6:10 a.m.
Last night was one of those stay-up-late-doing-an-assignment nights which left me tired but too wired to fall asleep which, here at SWIISH, we like to refer to as “twired” – tired but wired. Not a great combo. I should’ve taken my SLEEP Superfood Powder because I am feeling it this morning.
Reluctantly, I pause myself from automatically making a coffee before I rush out the door to coaching and grab a banana instead – let’s just say it doesn’t hit the spot.
12:30 p.m.
I’ve been home for a couple of hours now and thankfully that morning slump is over. I make myself a peppermint tea whilst tuning into online lectures, and so far so good. No side effects, withdrawals, or headaches in sight! (Maybe this coffee detox won’t be so bad after all?!)
8:30 p.m.
To say I used and abused coffee over iso (up to 3 very strong coconut milk lattes a day), I must admit day 1 of my detox has been fine. My energy levels were much more stable than they usually are, although I am starting to feel a mild headache right now – similar to the type you get when you’re dehydrated. All-in-all, I can’t complain!
Day 2
6:30 a.m.
I had a fairly disrupted sleep tossing and turning all night, which I’d say I have the detox to thank as my cortisol levels would be all out of whack. Nonetheless, I’m up, dressed, and on the train to the office – sans coffee, of course.
11:45 a.m.
Mid-meeting with Sally & Maha to chat upcoming content this week and those “I can do this” thoughts from yesterday are nowhere to be seen. In fact, there are very few thoughts at all to be seen. My brain is not working. I repeat. It’s not working!
Although we’re talking, my thoughts just can’t get themselves together. Surely this isn’t the detox? Was I that coffee-reliant? If this scatter-brained Lani is the one I have to deal with all day, we’re in for a ride.
2:30 p.m.
Update, the headache has officially begun. If this morning I thought reading and putting together a sentence was difficult, I now know that really was the calm before the storm. My head is pounding, looking at my computer screen feels as if I’m staring directly into the sun, and I cannot type to save the world.
I decide to work on some more design-based tasks that require less thought and more creativity, but ultimately find myself rummaging through our office first-aid box for some paracetamol – which mind you, I haven’t taken in years. I take two and 30 minutes later feel remotely human again.
4:30 p.m.
If you’re wondering whether the paracetamol has worn off, the answer is yes. Yes, it damn well has. I am a hot mess.
We’re shooting some new fashion in the office and I’m trying to explain to Sally a little video content idea I’d like to try for it. Just when I think I’ve explained it properly, I take Sally’s blank, confused stare as confirmation that the sentence in my head definitely did NOT come out as understandable English. Wow. This detox is no joke. I can’t even talk properly now.
I add a spoon of SUPERGREEN Superfood Powder into some nice cold water to boost my energy for the afternoon which certainly helps. I make it to the end of the day… just. Never again will I time day 2 of a coffee detox to land on a workday. That. Was. PAINFUL.
Day 3
7:20 a.m.
I’m not sure what to expect today, but after yesterday I’m preparing for the worst. I still have a mild headache (similar to day 1) but am feeling okay at the moment.
3.00 p.m.
The bulk of my day has been working from home and tuning in to a few lengthy Zoom lectures. I opt to sit with the camera and audio off because I don’t want to run the risk of a lecturer asking me any questions right now. Who knows what I might answer with!?
I must say though, the headache and brain fog has only been around 40% of the severity that yesterday’s was. No paracetamol necessary!
8:00 p.m.
Woohoo! I made it. I’m feeling fairly tired now without a trace of caffeine in my system, which is a good thing. No more “twired” Lani, I’m simply ready to have some dinner, watch an episode of Friends, and turn in early. What a week the past few days have been. Phewww.
Post-detox
Was it worth it?? Big YES. After watching our Stress & Adrenal Fatigue edition of the SWIISH Wellness Expert Series (watch it here) a couple of weeks ago, I was convinced that I was on the borderline of adrenal fatigue – hence the coffee detox idea.
Pre-detox Lani couldn’t sleep, completely relied on coffee for energy throughout the day, and struggled to stay concentrated in the afternoon.
Post-detox Lani is:
Sleeping better than I have in months. Honestly, I have my SLEEP Superfood Powder, jump into bed, and am out like a light.
Not craving coffee like I used to. I wake up, come into work (or wherever I am that day) and don’t have a coffee until 10-11 a.m. well after I’ve eaten which helps regulate my cortisol throughout the day. One coffee a day is finally enough!
Maintaining my energy and concentration throughout the day, without that “twired” feeling late at night.
Will I do it again?
Definitely. I’m going to aim to do a detox every few months to reset my body and stabilise my energy levels. Only next time, I won’t be letting day 2 fall on a busy workday. It will be me, at home, blinds-closed, curled up in bed with no responsibilities whatsoever… that is a must!!
Have something wellness-based you’d like Lani or another member of the SWIISH team to try for you and report back on? Send us an email at hello@swiish.com.au or message us on Instagram at @SWIISH. We’d love to hear from you!
