Why Doesn’t Coffee Wake Me Up? (Reasons & Alternatives)
If you are anything like me, you don’t want to be disturbed until you’ve had your first cup of coffee. I start every day with a nice, strong cup of joe. When I first started drinking this amazing caffeinated concoction, it gave me a burst of energy and made me feel like I was ready to tackle the day.
However, I realized over time that my coffee was having less and less of an effect on me. It got to the point where I could drink coffee at night and then go right to sleep. Through some research I discovered that this is a common problem that people suffer.
So, why doesn’t coffee wake me up anymore? Let’s discuss the most common reasons why this happens and things we can do to solve the problem.
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How Coffee Affects Your Body
Before we discuss the reasons why coffee no longer wakes you up, we need to learn how coffee affects the body. It is actually the caffeine content in the coffee beans that give you the burst of energy you want.
This is why decaf coffee doesn’t have the boost that regular coffee and espresso do. The caffeine affects the neurotransmitters, including dopamine and serotonin. It also affects the nervous system by releasing compounds, including adrenaline, into the body. It increases your heart rate, blood sugar levels, and increase in blood supply in the muscles.
All of this together is what gives you that boost of energy that you feel after consuming your cup of coffee. It also helps you to stay focused and concentrate on the task at hand.
Why doesn’t coffee wake me up?
Now that we understand how caffeine and coffee affect the body, it is time to discuss the reasons that it stops working for you. There are several common reasons why coffee no longer wakes you up and gives you energy. These reasons include:
1. Caffeine Tolerance
If you regularly consume caffeinated beverages, over time the affects of the caffeine will decrease. This is because your body adapts and builds up a tolerance to it. It no longer has the affect on your nervous system like it did at the beginning. This is why you can drink coffee and still feel tired and groggy afterwards.
So, how can you fix this situation? The first thing you can do is cut back on the amount of caffeine you are consuming. The more caffeine you have the more resistant your body becomes to it. If you cut back on it, or cut it out all together for a short time, this allows your body to reset. That way when you start drinking it again you will, once again, get the energy boost you want.
2. Lack of Sleep
While coffee can help wake you up and give you a burst of energy. We can’t expect it to be a miracle worker. If you are not getting enough sleep, then coffee alone will not do much to help you. It is better to make sure you are getting a restful night, rather than assuming a caffeinated beverage will make up for the lack of sleep you are getting.
It is also important to note that if you are overly exhausted, then coffee can actually work against you. This is because you may only feel certain affects from caffeine, including anxiety. Focus on getting at least 6 to 8 hours of sleep each night. Then you can enjoy that delicious morning cup of coffee.
3. Dehydration
Just like you need the proper amount of sleep, you also need the proper amount of water to stay hydrated throughout the day. Lack of hydration can make you feel sluggish and tired. Coffee will not help with this situation.
While coffee doesn’t cause you to become dehydrated, it also isn’t a great substitute for water. A simple way to help combat this common problem is to drink a cup of water before and after your cup of coffee. You should also keep a water bottle with you, so you can drink it throughout the day.
4. Changed Coffee Beans or Brewing Method
The two main types of coffee beans are Arabica and Robusta. Robusta coffee beans have twice the amount of caffeine in them. If your body is used to that and you switch to coffee made with Arabica beans, this could be why it is not giving you the energy you are used to.
Also, remember that light roasts contain more caffeine than dark roasts. If you normally drink light roast coffee and then switch to a darker roast, it may not contain enough caffeine to energize you.
Another reason you may not be feeling the affects of the coffee is that you changed the brewing method you used. Some methods have a higher extraction level than others. This means that they contain different amounts of caffeine. If you switch from a higher caffeinated method to a lower one, it will affect how your body responds to it.
5. Metabolism
If you have a fast metabolism, then the caffeine content won’t affect you as much as someone with a slower metabolism. This is why some people can drink coffee and be just fine, while others drink a cup and are up all night feeling jittery and anxious.
Your genetics play a huge role in how the caffeine affects your nervous system. If you love the taste of coffee but can’t handle the affect it has on you, then you should try to stick with decaf.
6. Medication
If you are taking medication, then be sure you consult with your doctor before consuming any caffeinated beverages. Some medications reduce or block the effects of coffee. If you have started a new medication, it may explain why your coffee is not waking you up or giving you that burst of energy you expect.
Alternatives to Coffee
If you are finding that coffee isn’t working for you, or you can no longer consume it. Then here are some great alternatives to wake you up and getting you going in the morning.
1. Alarm Clock
No, I am not talking about the standard alarm clock that blasts into your ears in the morning. I am talking about the sunrise alarm clocks that will slowly increase in brightness to mimic the sun. This signals to your body that it is morning and time to wake up. I have one of these clocks and it is amazing how it naturally wakes you up in the morning.
2. Apple or Chewing Gum
Studies have shown that eating an apple or chewing a piece of gum gives you a burst of energy and wakes you up. The fructose that is contained in the apple and gum helps to stimulate your nervous system, which increases your energy level and alertness.
3. Drink Water with Lemon
As I stated before, water keeps you hydrated and energized throughout the day. The added lemon helps to flavor it and adds a little refreshing zest to it. Adding other ingredients such as berries and mint will keep your taste buds happy, so that you look forward to drinking your water throughout the day. It’s nice to change things up so that you don’t get bored with your drinks.
4. Drink Tea
If you don’t like or can’t have coffee, then a great alternative is tea. There are many teas that contain caffeine in them to give you the energy and mental clarity that you want. Two popular choices are green tea and matcha tea.
5. Yoga
Exercise increases your metabolism, adrenaline, and endorphins. Yoga not only stimulates your nervous system. It also teaches you proper breathing and relaxation techniques. This is a great overall exercise program that you should incorporate into your workout routines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can coffee make you tired?
If you need three cups of coffee to feel the affects of the caffeine, then you are probably resistant to it. We all know that while coffee can give you a boost of energy in the morning, it can also cause that afternoon crash that we all hear about.
It is possible that coffee can affect your body in a way that you feel tired and groggy from it. This is why it is important to use some of the alternatives I mentioned above and cut back on your caffeine intake.
What about the ADHD myth?
There is a common myth, that many people believe, that people diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) feel the affects of caffeine differently. Many people believe that caffeine calms and relaxes someone with ADHD.
However, there is no scientific evidence that this information is accurate. As we found out above, there are several reasons that causes you to feel tired after drinking a cup of coffee. It does not mean that you have ADHD.
How long will coffee keep you awake?
Another common question is, how long does coffee increase your energy and keep you awake and focused. Studies have shown that the level of caffeine peaks 15 to 45 minutes after you consume it.
After that it slowly reduces over time. On average, the caffeine affects your body for 5 hours after you consume it. However, the time depends on how much caffeine you have and how fast your metabolism is.
Final Thoughts
As you can see the caffeine in coffee is what affects your body and wakes you up. However, there are several reasons that it may no longer work for you. If this is happening to you, then hopefully this article helped you solve it.
You can either follow the recommendations I gave to help you be able to continue drinking coffee and get the affects you want. You can also utilize some of the alternative options to find other ways to wake up and start your day off on the right foot.
I think a balanced approach is the best way to stay energized and focused all day long. Once you identify and solve the problem you are facing, you will be able to enjoy that delicious cup of coffee again.
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