| No doubt if you are working shift work, you have | | | | cuppa, then I hate to say it but you are probably |
| probably drunk copious amounts of tea and | | | | addicted. |
| coffee at some point in time to help keep you | | | | Now what is also not good about this scenario is |
| awake. But are these cups of tea and coffee | | | | that drinking tea or coffee on a regular basis has |
| really helping you to overcome chronic fatigue and | | | | an effect on every major system in your body. |
| tiredness, or are they just masking the problem? | | | | The nervous system suffers the most, as |
| You see when you grab that cup of tea or | | | | caffeine is a stimulant that affects you mentally |
| coffee to help perk you up, it's only fooling the | | | | and physically. There is also evidence that caffeine |
| body into thinking its not tired. | | | | can damage your digestive system, making you |
| It does not actually cure your tiredness. | | | | prone to stomach ulcers. |
| And what's concerning is that this daily caffeine | | | | Now I'm not suggesting that you go 'Cold Turkey' |
| fix not only becomes a habit, it eventually leads | | | | and give up your tea and coffee completely. Just |
| to an addiction. In fact Scientists consider caffeine | | | | be sensible. |
| as one of the most powerful and addictive drugs | | | | Having more than 2 cups a day is not going to be |
| because it's very easy to build up a tolerance to | | | | good for your health long term. So instead try |
| it. | | | | some healthy alternatives like herbal teas - that |
| And what they mean by this is that you may | | | | way you are still enjoying the social experience of |
| initially drink two cups of coffee a day to get | | | | having your hot drink. They are also a much more |
| your caffeine fix (certainly easy for a shift | | | | refreshing drink, which is going to help with your |
| worker to do) - but it will probably take three | | | | chronic fatigue and tiredness. |
| cups a day to get the same 'hit' next week. | | | | Now just a word of warning. Like with any |
| Plus if you are somebody that has... | | | | addiction, cutting down on caffeine is going to |
| - Trouble sleeping | | | | bring on withdrawal symptoms, including |
| - Feels nervous | | | | headaches, fatigue, stiffness, and even some |
| - Irritable | | | | flu-like symptoms as your body cries out for |
| - Moody | | | | more caffeine. |
| - Or even a bit depressed - chances are you may | | | | Hang in there, these symptoms will pass in two or |
| be suffering from an excess of caffeine. | | | | three days and you'll soon be jumping out of your |
| So, here comes the million dollar question - are | | | | skin with real energy - instead of the 'fake pick |
| you a caffeine addict? | | | | me up' that caffeine is renowned for! |
| Now if you can't get by without your regular | | | | |