It’s that time of year for tricks and treats as many people will be enjoying Halloween tonight. However, with Daylight Savings coming to an end on Sunday, it’s even more important to watch our caffeine consumption, including the tons of candy children are ecstatic to receive in their baskets.
Indulging in the sugar high and crash of candy, cookies, cupcakes and other sweet treats is hard for many people to resist, especially when it comes to chocolate. While it may not melt in your hand, the caffeine is contains can sneakily melt away anyone’s sleep quality and push back bedtimes.
In addition to being found in candy, America’s favorite drug can be commonly found in sodas, teas, energy drinks, diet pills and many over-the-counter medications for headaches, increasing the chances of consuming too much for a good night’s rest.
Caffeine takes approximately 6 hours for just one half of the dosage to be eliminated from the body. Meaning, for that can of soda had at a 7 p.m. dinner, only half will be gone by 1 a.m. Also, as we age it takes a longer amount of time for caffeine to leave our bodies, creating a even more negative impact on our rest.
We know from studies that less than 30 milligram of caffeine each day can improve your mood. On the other hand, consuming over 100 milligrams daily can lead to caffeine dependence, with withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, irritability and stomach distress. One ounce of dark chocolate typically contains 20-30 milligrams of caffeine, meaning that we should practice some self-control in the abundance of candy during the season.
To make sure that your family doesn’t go caffeine crazy, check out the amazing information we found below by Dr. Shelby Freeman Harris, Psy. D. that we found on The Huffington Post:
5 Ways to Cut Back on Caffeine:
- Keep track of your caffeine consumption. Don’t forget to include candy, medications and sodas.
- Switch to decaffeinated brands. Make sure the label say “no caffeine” or “decaf.”
- Gradually cut back on caffeine intake. Try drinking one less glass or soda or coffee every few days or mixing caffeinated with decaffeinated to slowly loosen up the grip caffeine has on you.
- Brew your tea for a less amount of time to decrease the amount of caffeine released.
- Consider why you are using caffeine to feel more awake. You may need to make sleep a priority over caffeine.
Nothing is a substitute for a good night’s sleep, even though haunted houses and costume parties will be a major temptation for many people around the nation tonight. Be sure to watch caffeine consumption through the day or encourage children to enjoy their treats early in the day over the weekend instead of right before bedtime. For learn more about America’s caffeine addiction, click here!
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