A sleep expert has revealed that you shouldn’t drink coffee as soon as you wake up or six hours before bed.
Dr. Deborah Lee, sleep expert from Get Laid Beds, said the cortisol hormone ‘follows a rhythm specific to your own sleep cycle’, peaking within 30-45 minutes of waking and then gradually decreasing throughout the day.
That’s why Dr. Lee said the best time for a morning coffee is at 10 a.m., or 45 minutes after waking up at the earliest.
If you drink it earlier, you may become ‘immune’ to coffee over time.
Caffeine works by blocking sleep-promoting receptors in your brain called adenosine receptors, and can also make it difficult to sleep at night if coffee is consumed too late in the day.
Dr. Deborah Lee, sleep expert from Get Laid Beds, said the best time to drink coffee in the morning is 45 minutes after waking up at the earliest. But the ideal time is at 10am – assuming you wake up at 7am (stock image)
When is the best time to drink coffee?
Dr. Lee explained that 10 a.m. is the perfect time for a caffeinated pick-me-up.
“If you’re someone who, for example, wakes up around 7 a.m. and leaves your first coffee until about 10 a.m. to noon, your body and mind will appreciate this the most and you will get the most benefits from the caffeine.” ,’ she said.
‘Taking into account your own rhythm, the best time to get your caffeine fix would be 45 minutes after waking up at the earliest – when your cortisol rhythm starts to drop.’
She explained that when you wake up, the stress hormone cortisol is at its peak, which improves alertness and focus while regulating metabolism and the immune system.
‘Elevated cortisol levels can affect your immune system, and if they are already at their peak when you wake up, drinking coffee as soon as your eyes are open could do more harm than good, and could even make you immune to it for a long time. caffeine. period,” she said.
When should you stop drinking coffee for a better night’s sleep?
It is also recommended to stop drinking coffee at least six hours before bedtime for better sleep, especially for those who have trouble winding down at night.
Dr. However, Lee pointed out that this varies from person to person depending on their caffeine tolerance.
‘To avoid disrupting your sleep patterns, avoid all caffeine after 3pm, including coffee, fizzy drinks, energy drinks and even non-caffeinated tea,’ she said.
‘Try switching to herbal tea if you need a hot drink to keep you warm, or decaffeinated to trick yourself into thinking you’re getting your caffeine fix. Your sleep schedule will thank you!’