I made a bit of a stupid new years resolution...
I decided to kick the evil caffeine addiction I've cultivated in myself over the years. I blame my degree, pulling all nighters to meet essay deadlines and then making the wise decision to become a teacher and then work in a theatre company.

Having cultivated a four or five cups of coffee a day addiction I made the bold decision to go cold turkey and cut out caffeine on new years day.

Twenty two days later I'm proud to say I'm still caffeine free.

Initially it feels like you're slowly dying. Quitting coffee can cause withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, sleepiness and irritability. The acidic nature of coffee can lead to stomach ulcers. (Which just after quitting coffee my doctor discovered I had...) When the excess acid enters the bloodstream, it also increases calcium loss in urine. Both coffee and tea have no nutritional value.

I also must admit my addiction to coca cola. Alongside my coffee addiction there was also my coke addiction to kick.

I'd start the day with a can of coke to kick me into gear and then would usually open a can when I got home after work. (Sometimes that's around 6pm or 7pm.) One can of cola for them is equivalent to 3 cups of instant coffee for an adult. Caffeine, combined with sugar, salt, and a diet high in synthetic food, creates one unmanageable addict.

It was a little like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hp82OcwF7Ao

Since giving up the coffee and the coke my days have been brighter, sleep is more regular, my moods are less extreme and I'm not having to drag myself out of bed.