Caffeine jitters happen when you wind up feeling edgy due to the consumption of excessive amounts of caffeine. It’s not just having too much coffee that can cause such, but also other caffeine-containing beverages like tea, soda and energy drinks. The length of time that you experience caffeine jitters varies, depending on how much caffeine you have consumed and how well your body metabolizes the said stimulating chemical.
So what makes caffeine bring about jitters?
According to experts, caffeine practically causes you to become stressed. As a result, your body pumps adrenaline in order to cope with it. With an increase in adrenaline levels, you tend to experience all sorts of symptoms that you usually encounter when you’re stressed — profuse sweating, high blood pressure and heart palpitations.
Jitteriness is one of those things that stress brings. Since the intake of coffee or anything with caffeine in it stimulates stress, you end up feeling jittery, too.
It’s true that caffeine may invigorate both body and mind, allowing you to become more productive. The presence of caffeine jitters, however, may cause the exact opposite. Most of the time, you have to wait for that feeling of being on the edge to elapse before you can go back to having a normal life.
So how can you make caffeine jitters go away? Here are some tips:
Drink lots of water.
Once the excessive amounts of caffeine are out of your system, those uncomfortable caffeine jitters will go away. It’s for this reason why consuming plenty of water can help deal with that jitteriness. What’s more, it helps keep you stay hydrated as coffee and other caffeinated beverages have diuretic or dehydrating properties.
Consume a relaxing herbal tea.
Another way to increase your water intake is by having a cup of herbal tea. Consider brewing something that has calming properties to offset those caffeine jitters. Some wonderful examples include jasmine, chamomile, lemon balm, catnip and passion flower tea.
Keep moving.
Too much adrenaline coursing through your bloodstream due to caffeine intake can cause jitteriness. So in order to put an end to that jitteriness, you have to use up your adrenaline. The best way to do so is by getting physically active — it won’t take long before all those caffeine jitters are gone.
Snack on a banana.
Experts say that magnesium is something that can counter the various effects of caffeine in the body, including jitteriness. That’s why it’s a good idea for you to consume magnesium-containing banana as soon as the fact that you just had too much caffeine made its presence known.
Have a piece of dark chocolate.
Another excellent source of magnesium is dark chocolate. However, it’s a good idea for you to munch on only a small piece of it as dark chocolate also contains a little amount of caffeine. Stay away from white chocolate as its high sugar content will only worsen those jitters!
Consume healthy fats.
According to experts, healthy fats are not only good for warding off heart disease, but also in helping people who are sensitive to caffeine to get rid of those caffeine jitters. It’s for the fact that healthy fats are said to absorb caffeine, keeping them from wreaking havoc to your nerves.
Spend time relaxing.
While it’s true that caffeine jitters can leave you panicky, the key is to keep yourself from panicking. Otherwise, your nervousness will only get multiplied by several times. What you need to do is relax — take slow, deep breaths, do yoga, engage in guided meditation, listen to music or write in your journal.