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Insight on Caffeine I’m Embracing:
I recently stumbled upon a video clip featuring Tim Ferriss – an incredibly well-known, innovative, and curious author, podcaster, and self-experimenter.
In the clip – recommended to me by the algorithm which obviously knows me all too well at this point – he reflects on a 30-day “detox challenge” he recently finished.
Part of this experiment was to eliminate caffeine consumption.
No coffee. No soda. No tea. No chocolate.
Zero caffeine.
30 days.
Sounds like a month poorly utilized in my book!
However, the insights he gathered piqued my curiosity.
Tim is very open about the struggles he’s had with sleep-onset insomnia. Yet, his inability to consistently fall asleep went by the wayside after going cold-turkey and eliminating caffeine.
Like me, you’re probably assuming he was previously throwing down post-dinner espressos, but he largely was ingesting his caffeine in the morning.
Pretty crazy but it’s not the first time I’ve heard this.
Tim also used the detox as an opportunity to re-evaluate his true “baseline”.
Many of us (yes, us) begin consuming caffeine early in the day and oftentimes carry this coffee trail into the afternoon.
For years on end.
Therefore, we spend more of our lives as the caffeinated version of ourselves than we do our caffeine-sober, baseline selves.
This is wild when you step back from the trees to see the forest.
It makes us, as it did Tim, often mistake being calm for feeling tired.
We get so used to feeling “wired” that our brains establish this as our new baseline.
I resonate.
And I’m realizing this isn’t necessarily a good thing.
Although I recently did a 3-day cleanse that I discussed on a previous 4MF publication, it’s time to raise the stakes.
An extended caffeine detox is in my near future, I encourage others to join!
What I’m Trying Out:
Audio books.
Many of my friends have mentioned how much value audiobooks have added to their lives but I never jumped on board.
That is until it was free of charge.
I discovered last week that Audible, an audiobook app, offers a free 1-month free trial to sample their catalog.
I’ve generally leaned toward reading physical copies of books and if I want something non-musical in my ears, I choose a podcast.
However, I was in a podcast lull this week so for one of my runs, I decided to load up my Audible app and put on a free book download, Born to Run.
Quite fitting that I was running to a book about running.
Maybe that makes me a maniac, who knows.
Digressing, I enjoyed this change in my routine.
It required more focus on the content rather than just having two people conversing in the background as I normally do.
Yet, I will say this…
I still prefer hard copy reading – there’s just something about having a book in your hands and seeing words on a page that makes me more invested.
Because of the additional attention it takes, I’m probably not taking in as much of the audio story during a run as if I was in a car listening on a road trip.
I’ll share more as I continue to experiment!
Health-Conscious Traveling Tips:
I’m currently sitting on a Spirit Airlines flight as I write this so it’s fitting to touch on a few health-savvy travel techniques I’ve picked up on.
First, shoutout to the flight attendant who just noticed me crunched in a row of three and moved me to one of my own.
What a lady.
Traveling is often a time when people throw out the baby with the bathwater in terms of health-conscious decision-making.
McDonald’s breakfast on the way to the airport, a couple cold ones as they wait for their boarding time, and then heck… how about a some cookies and a glass of wine while 35,000 feet in the air?
Let’s look at a few alternative routes…
Pack a Large Water Bottle
This makes filling up incredibly easy at airports. Not only this, but you won’t spend $6.50 on a small bottle of H2O. For a further boost, pack and include electrolytes in your bottle throughout the day!
(Just empty it before going through security!)
Avoid Alcohol
I understand this is hard to hear for those who like to relieve the pre-flight jitters, but alcohol consumption leads to further dehydration, grogginess, and increased jet lag. This is not a good way to start a trip!
Frontload Food
Prioritize eating a healthy, high protein meal before leaving home. This morning I consumed a bowl of protein oatmeal (~60g of protein) to get me well ahead of the game! Thus, I’m not trying to play catchup on the go. Nor am I hangry, something no travel partner wants to put up with!
Pack a Snack
Airport food is ridiculously expensive and there often aren’t many healthy options to choose from. Currently in my bag I have a plethora of beef jerky sticks, PB&J on sourdough, and fruit. Protein bars and shakes are also terrific options!
Get Up & Move
Airports are a terrific place to build up your step count! Don’t bury your nose in your phone and just sit around for your flight. Aside from the movement piece, the people-watching experience is second to none.
Take time to stand up and stretch on long commutes as well!
Sleep Mask & Ear Plugs
These are clutch for trying to get much-needed sleep in bright, noisy places such as on an airplane, train, or noisy hotel room.
Winning the travel day sets you up for a successful getaway!
What else?
Austin, TX is sitting at 100+ degrees for most of the day – send your thoughts for these outdoor runs & hikes!
I’ll be releasing a “day in the life” post next week detailing what my weekly exercise training routine looks like as I’m in the peak of my half marathon training program!
Consider: Are you tired or are you just not caffeinated?
If you enjoy this weekly bite of information, please share it with a coworker, friend, and/or family member!
DISCLAIMER
This is NOT Medical advice. Consult your medical professional before starting any supplement, diet regimen, or workout program.
Excellent read! Perfect!
Great tips about traveling! I have started packing an empty water bottle and then filling it once I get through security. I also pack my own snacks, mostly because I can't have gluten and want to make sure I have something to eat. I typically get very motion sick and have been known to lose my stomach contents on a flight or two (ugh) - but now I make sure I start off with some protein and a few carbs which has helped. I also pack mint tea and then when they come around for drinks I ask for just plain hot water that I put my own organic mint tea bag into.
Prayers for safe travels!