“Timing is everything when you are dancing with the rhythms of life.” - Amit Ray

Wednesday. J.M. Smucker (the jelly brand) is buying Hostess Brands, the kings of Twinkies, for a whopping $5.6 billion. So why is Smucker splurging on a company that’s seen bankruptcy twice? Well, it turns out the snack industry grew by 11% last year alone, and now, Smucker is betting big on America’s sweet tooth. Well, that’s just great. This should go without saying, but Twinkies and Ding Dongs aren't exactly staples of a healthy diet. Do you know what can be a part of a healthy diet? Coffee. But does timing matter when taking your first sip of everyone’s favorite morning beverage? Let’s dive in.

Wait Before You Caffeinate

Have you ever considered delaying that tempting morning coffee for a little while? Surprisingly, a little patience could be the key to a better day! Here’s why:

Imagine this scenario: you wake up and are just dying for that aromatic cup of coffee. For many, that morning brew is the ultimate pick-me-up, the fastest way to kick off a day on the right foot. But what if waiting a smidge longer could actually set you up for a more energetic and productive day?

Dr. Andrew Huberman, a neuroscientist and professor at Stanford University, recently discussed this very idea on his podcast. He dives into the world of caffeine, exploring how it affects our body and brain. His recommendation? Holding off on that morning cup for about 90 to 120 minutes after waking up. He suggests this small delay could help you beat that all-too-familiar afternoon drowsiness and even improve your sleep at night.

We’ve all been there, especially during a workday: the morning starts strong, but then we get past lunch, 2 pm hits, and suddenly the desk looks like a comfy bed. If you are lucky, you might sneak in a power nap. But for the rest of us with busy schedules packed to the brim, the afternoons can quickly turn into a ride on the struggle bus. And while a power nap might sound like you are living the dream, wouldn’t it be great to avoid that afternoon fatigue altogether?

So, how can delaying your first cup of coffee help beat the afternoon slump? The answer lies in a compound called adenosine. Simply put, adenosine is responsible for making us feel sleepy. Throughout the day, it builds up, prompting us to wind down and eventually head to bed. As we rest at night, adenosine levels drop, which is why we wake up feeling fresh.

But here’s the kicker: if you had a restless night and didn’t sleep enough, you’ll still have a good amount of adenosine hanging around. When you drink coffee, the caffeine temporarily stops adenosine from doing its thing, making you feel awake. But once that caffeine effect dwindles, the effects of adenosine come back, and so does that feeling of drowsiness.

But won’t waiting longer for coffee just push that energy dip to later in the afternoon? Not exactly.

Another hormone that regulates our energy levels is cortisol. Our body naturally produces a burst of cortisol shortly after we wake up, helping to get rid of that leftover adenosine. Drinking coffee too early can mess with this cortisol surge. By waiting, you let your body clear the adenosine naturally, so you don’t feel the crash when the caffeine effect fades.

To top it off, avoiding that mid-day sluggishness can also positively impact your nighttime sleep. Even if you don’t realize it, caffeine stays in our system for over 12 hours, meddling with our sleep quality. So, avoiding the afternoon slump and the coffee you need to combat that slump can lead to better, more restful sleep. Which means you wake up refreshed the next day, and so on.

The key takeaway? It’s tempting to reach straight for the coffee pot upon waking. For many of us, that is the only morning routine we have ever known. But, if you can muster the patience to wait a bit longer, the rewards can be immense.

More energy during the day, less money spent on afternoon cups of Joe, and better sleep at night! If waiting 90 to 120 minutes seems impossible, consider starting with half a cup and saving the rest for later in the morning. Give it a try, and you may discover a whole new level of daytime zest!

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