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Why morning coffee cures the January blues
25th January 2008
So how was it for you?
For me, it wasn't as bad as the experts predicted.
I managed to get through the whole day with only a few grumbles. Mind you, I barely left the house, except to cycle to the butchers. I have to admit that my wife came home from work almost in tears,
'What's Ray on about?' I hear crowds of people muttering.
Well, Monday the 21st was supposed to be the 'most depressing day of the year.'
That's according to Dr. Cliff Arnall, a Cardiff-based. psychologist.
His formula is based on our general collective experience and some shaky speculation - more for entertainment purposes, but it's great stuff anyway.
He points out that at this time of year, weather systems take bring low, dark rain clouds to Britain.
(Bang on, I'd say!)
Meanwhile, people have broken their healthy New Year resolutions.... desperados chugging on cigarettes they were never supposed to smoke again.... T-totallers suddenly guzzling wine with tears of selfloathing filling their eyes. ...Christmas cheer is well and truly overThese money worries aren't healthy either....To make it worse, most people haven't been paid for over 4 or 5 weeks, with another week to go!
'Following the initial thrill of New Year's celebrations and changing over a new leaf, reality starts to sink in,' Arnall says. 'The realization coincides with the dark clouds rolling in and the obligation to pay off Christmas credit card bills.'
This year, it's worse than Arnall's crazy formula could have predicted.
The world's stock markets have crashed, house prices have slumped, and the news is filling with threats of recession. This is not only depressing, it spells genuinely worrying times.
Anxiety and stress is definitely not conducive to the happy, healthy, good life.
If you're one of those who are struggling with money problems, I urge you to check out this FREE email service. It offers great advice on saving money, making extra cash, getting almost anything for cheaper, and freeing yourself from debt and money worries:
www.richlifeletter.co.uk
On a lighter note...Could coffee be an answer to your bad mood?
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As you know, I'm a fan of coffee, and dislike the general bad press it gets.
Years ago it was an evil as bad as nicotine, causing headaches, mood swings, bad breath, heart palpitations and stress.
Yet as a regular Good Life reader, you'll know that there's mounting evidence in support of our old friend.
The caffeine in coffee is said to lower your risk of diabetes, Parkinson's disease, headaches and even cavities.
It stimulates your brain and - yes - can RELIEVE mood problems. Studies have shown that caffeine can improve your attention span and boost brainpower.
So your morning cup of coffee not only helps wake you up, and tastes bloomin' marvellous, but it has health benefits too.
I'm not suggesting for a minute that it's a new health drink, to be guzzled wantonly throughout the day. I'm merely saying that a little bit of what you fancy can be good for you. And I mean a LITTLEExperts say that 200 milligrams (two cups of coffee) is the optimal dose.
Don't drink too much. I suggest you limit it to one or two decent cups of good quality coffee in the morning. Otherwise you're heading for dependence and other problems.
Also, new US research published this week shows that pregnant women who drink two cups or more of coffee a day are at an increased risk of miscarriage.
So in the event that you are, or know someone, who is pregnant, this is important. Best not to drink any at all, in that case, I reckon. Otherwise, if you like coffee, and life's a bit depressing this January... Try a morning coffee 'pick-me up' and see what happensOkay, so I'll probably get a load of infuriated emails about this, pointing out all sorts of dangers and side-effects, but I like to stick my neck out with my opinions.
There's only one thing to watch for...
When you've had your coffee, perhaps avoid going to buy a car, or talking to any double-glazing salesmen that morning. You might end up spending a fortune.
Pearl Martin of the University of Queensland in Brisbane claims that doses of caffeine can make you more easily convinced by arguments that go against your beliefs.
In 2005, her team published a paper. They suggested that the brain stimulators in caffeine improves your ability to understand the reasoning behind strong arguments.
It could make you more likely to end up agreeing with something that goes against your typical views.
To check this is true, go away and drink a cup of coffee....
Done that?
Now come back...And see how you respond to this argument....The school of Human Movement and Exercise Science, at The University of Western Australia did the following study in 2007....
- A group of students were assigned to either a caffeine, or placebo (fake coffee) group
- They were required to attend a 75-min exercise rehabilitation lecture.
- Seven days later, students were put in the opposite group to week 1 and again made to attend a second lecture, equal in length to the first one.
- At the end of each lecture, students completed a questionnaire to assess the level of mood state, concentration, and arousal during the lecture.
- The results showed that after caffeine consumption, students perceived themselves to be significantly more awake, clear minded, energetic, alert.
- Additionally, they felt they were better able to concentrate.
Now, after your brain-boosting coffee, how does THAT bit of scientific evidence convince you?
Coffee (in moderation) = A.O.K, right?
Ah, the old Collins mind tricks! I'm like Derren Brown or an evil hypnotist.
Yours, as ever
Ray Collins
The Good Life Letter |
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