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Original poster

AIBU to think coffee is affecting my sleep and anxiety?

28 replies

Canwaitforaholiday · 07/05/2026 13:16

Early 50s; introduced coffee a few months ago to help with energy, one early afternoon; which seems to help; then one in the morning. It does help with energy levels but I seem more anxious. Waking up around 3am for the last few days and crying. My appetite isn’t massive either.

I take magnesium, Ashwaganda, vitamin D.

I looking awful and tired with these bags under my eyes.

Advice please? What keep you going, strong and healthy.

I feel like quitting my job to focus on my health, going to the gym and helping my teens through a tricky time.

I work 4 days per week, job a bit boring but not stressful which is what I need.

OP posts:
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Catsandbooksaremybag · 07/05/2026 16:35

Considering your age, are you taking hrt? Menopause could also be behind your issues.

Original poster
Canwaitforaholiday · 07/05/2026 16:09

ToddlerFun67899 · 07/05/2026 15:46

Having a boring job won't help.

I had the most sleep inducing job until earlier this year and no amount of coffee, red bull and cocaine (and whatever else people use to keep the awake? Amphetamines? I need to learn my drugs) would have kept me up for an afternoon 😂

I changed jobs and my coffee intake has gone down considerably.

Job is fine ; was exaggerating as not feeling well.

Previous job was very stressful, it is mainly the coffee I think that has impacted me today. I can’t even concentrate anymore. And as I drunk lots of fluids I have gone to the toilet a lot

OP posts:
ToddlerFun67899 · 07/05/2026 15:46

Having a boring job won't help.

I had the most sleep inducing job until earlier this year and no amount of coffee, red bull and cocaine (and whatever else people use to keep the awake? Amphetamines? I need to learn my drugs) would have kept me up for an afternoon 😂

I changed jobs and my coffee intake has gone down considerably.

Original poster
Canwaitforaholiday · 07/05/2026 15:22

Trying to keep together in the office but a couple of people already asked me how are you and us everything ok. So they can probably notice it on my face.

OP posts:
Original poster
Canwaitforaholiday · 07/05/2026 15:20

NorthFacingGardener · 07/05/2026 15:13

Caffeine takes over 12 hours to leave your system. And it doesn’t just disrupt the hormone that helps you fall asleep, it also disrupts the hormone that helps you stay asleep.

I love my black coffee but I just have 2 cups between 7-10am and no caffeine after that.

May re introduce a morning one later on. Will see

OP posts:
Original poster
Canwaitforaholiday · 07/05/2026 15:18

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 07/05/2026 15:10

How much do you have? If instant try half a teaspoon only? Or tea?

No idea; It is from a coffee machine so quite strong I guess.

I am going to stop it altogether. The effects are awful.

Problem when drinking lots of water is that you have to stuck the toilet to you. 🙈

OP posts:
NorthFacingGardener · 07/05/2026 15:13

Caffeine takes over 12 hours to leave your system. And it doesn’t just disrupt the hormone that helps you fall asleep, it also disrupts the hormone that helps you stay asleep.

I love my black coffee but I just have 2 cups between 7-10am and no caffeine after that.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 07/05/2026 15:10

Canwaitforaholiday · 07/05/2026 14:45

What do people do to keep energy levels up

Chocolate and coffee 😂🙈

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 07/05/2026 15:10

How much do you have? If instant try half a teaspoon only? Or tea?

Original poster
Canwaitforaholiday · 07/05/2026 14:45

What do people do to keep energy levels up

OP posts:
Original poster
Canwaitforaholiday · 07/05/2026 14:45

butidid · 07/05/2026 14:24

Definitely, yes coffee can make you anxious.

I remember this article from Caitlin Moran struck a chord, it has stuck with me

https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/uk-travel/caitlin-moran-why-am-i-so-anxious-t32pmzm7dp8

Edited

Thanks for sharing

OP posts:
butidid · 07/05/2026 14:24

Definitely, yes coffee can make you anxious.

I remember this article from Caitlin Moran struck a chord, it has stuck with me

https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/uk-travel/caitlin-moran-why-am-i-so-anxious-t32pmzm7dp8

Original poster
Canwaitforaholiday · 07/05/2026 14:20

Herbals teas it is, plus water an excerciae. My heart is racing and my breathing shortener after the middy coffee. I already drunk 3 glasses of water; will keep drinking

OP posts:
MissMoneyFairy · 07/05/2026 14:09

Try herbal teas, some are really refreshing and others calming. There's so much choice.

Acommonwomble · 07/05/2026 14:06

Canwaitforaholiday · 07/05/2026 13:38

What do you drink in the morning to keep you going? I used to drink tea so may go back to that.

is it 6pm yet? 😅

Edited

Tea has plenty caffeine in it too, so there's little point swapping coffee for tea unless you're drinking really really strong coffee!

Original poster
Canwaitforaholiday · 07/05/2026 13:53

Thank you all. My heart is certainly raising after the midday coffee. If I wake up again at 3am. I am going for a run around the block. Hope I do look crazy 🤪

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Original poster
Canwaitforaholiday · 07/05/2026 13:38

What do you drink in the morning to keep you going? I used to drink tea so may go back to that.

is it 6pm yet? 😅

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Original poster
Canwaitforaholiday · 07/05/2026 13:34

Thank you. Will stop coffee completely and focus on water and excercise. Yes, I think the morning on an empty stomach wasn’t a great idea

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ToddlerFun67899 · 07/05/2026 13:33

I drink a lot of coffee but never past 1.30pm. Anything after that keeps me up.

But I need a strong morning coffee, never on an empty stomach though. You need at least a piece of toast or yogurt.

Original poster
Canwaitforaholiday · 07/05/2026 13:33

Does decaf help? I don’t really enjoy the taste of coffee anyway.

I think I need to do more excercise

OP posts:
Original poster
Canwaitforaholiday · 07/05/2026 13:32

I don’t drink alcohol, weight is fine and my appetite was fine when I was on holidays a few weeks ago. Blood tests every year and are fine. Maybe due for another B12 injection

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yogpot · 07/05/2026 13:30

Stop drinking caffeine - I have the same effects, I rarely drink caffeine now. I had one this morning whilst out and I feel awful now. I usually drink decaf.

If your energy levels are that bad I’d see your GP and ask for bloods, or focus on sleep and exercise rather than using stimulants :)

Itsseweasy · 07/05/2026 13:30

I cut out coffee for exactly the symptoms you mentioned. I didn’t even drink much, maybe 2 cups max same as you, but I noticed my anxiety levels were creeping up. When I cut coffee and chocolate out they returned to normal.
I’m not sure if it was contributing to poor moods as well or if that was the chocolate - either way I decided it’s all unnecessary muck and I feel so much better for ditching it!
I now focus on drinking as much water as I possibly can - boring but literally life changing!

Original poster
Canwaitforaholiday · 07/05/2026 13:30

Thank you. It got worse after I started having one in the morning on an empty stomach. I cut it down today but felt a bit tired on the morning. I was feeling calmer though. Got one midday and my concentration improved but now feeling anxious and tight on my chest.

Seems like I may have to cut it completely but how do I keep my energy going. Feel like going home already

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C8H10N4O2 · 07/05/2026 13:29

If you introduced coffee to help with energy then drinking decaff will be going back to pre coffee state.

If you have persistent energy problems then the person to see is your GP, if only for blood tests to check the basics. Are you also losing weight if you have a poor appetite? If so that is something else to mention to the GP.