Caffeine is one of the most popular substances in the world, but also one of the most misunderstood. Some people can’t function without their morning cup of coffee, so we’re here to explain why that is.
It is found not only in coffee, but also in: tea; energy drinks and even in chocolate! This may explain why these products are so addicting as caffeine is one of the most addictive substances in the world. Some people can even be diagnosed with caffeine addiction, where if they are to go more than 2 days without caffeine they can experience: Headaches; anxiety and depression.
The way caffeine works is that it stimulates the central nervous system, affecting the brain and spinal cord as well as other nerves within the body. This then results in the body feeling an increased sense of awareness and alertness. Although it can have some negative effects if over-consumed such as: high blood pressure; nervousness and dehydration.
It takes roughly 12 hours for caffeine to leave your system once consumed, meaning that if you were to have caffeine late at night it can have an affect on your sleeping pattern. So caffeine consumption has been linked to insomnia as your brain struggles to relax when in bed due to the stimulation in alertness caused by the caffeine. That is why most people tend to have coffee in the morning or on a ‘coffee break’ as caffeine can be beneficial, especially in keeping you alert when at work. Just try to avoid over-consumption of caffeine and try to avoid it late at night as it can have negative effects on the body when trying to get to sleep.
Apparently the most effective times to drink coffee are between the hours –
09:30 – 11:30am and between 13:00 – 17:00 pm. It can take as little as ten minutes for the effects of the caffeine to kick in after sipping on a drink of coffee! So if you need a quick burst of energy, coffee is the drink for you. But try not to become too dependent on caffeine as it has been linked to causing heart issues and issues with the kidneys. So do drink responsibly.
How does caffiene effect sleep
Caffeine is a stimulant that can interfere with sleep in several ways:
Disrupts the sleep cycle: Caffeine can interfere with the natural sleep cycle by blocking the effects of adenosine, a neurotransmitter that promotes sleep. This can make it more difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Increases alertness: Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, which can increase alertness and make it harder to relax and fall asleep.
Reduces deep sleep: Caffeine can reduce the amount of deep sleep that a person gets. Deep sleep is important for physical restoration, and reduced deep sleep can lead to feeling less rested in the morning.
Shortens total sleep time: Caffeine can shorten the total amount of time that a person spends asleep, even if they are able to fall asleep quickly. This can lead to feeling tired and sluggish during the day.
Increases awakenings: Caffeine can increase the number of times a person wakes up during the night. This can lead to feeling less rested in the morning and can disrupt the natural sleep cycle.
It's worth noting that the effects of caffeine on sleep can vary depending on the person and the amount of caffeine consumed. Some people may be more sensitive to caffeine than others, and consuming large amounts of caffeine, especially in the afternoon or evening, can have a more significant impact on sleep. To avoid caffeine's negative effects on sleep, it's best to limit caffeine intake, especially in the evening, and allow several hours between consuming caffeine and going to bed. Your sleep space can play a big part on the quality of sleep, our wooden bed frame range contains bed designs that look great and provide you with the best chance of getting good quality sleep.
