I would say caffeine is my only vice. A day can't start for me without a cup of coffee. It's physiological and mental boost that drives me into productivity.
Background
Ever since high school, I've had a cup of coffee nearly every single day. Each morning my mom would prepare me a Snapple bottle of black tea mixed with coffee to take to school. Since my brother and dad had issues getting up in the morning, strong coffee was a staple in the house.
My mom brewed quarts of coffee twice through the grinds, and then spiked it with more instant coffee shards or black tea. She finishes the batches with Bailey's Irish Cream or Hot Chocolate powder for delicious, potent coffee. At my parent's home, there are always quarts of strong coffee ready in the fridge. When I was living at home, I'd just take a big sip from the fridge and it'd be enough caffeine to get me started in the morning. Whenever my brothers and I visit our parent's house, there's always mugs of coffee scattered across the kitchen.
Living on my own, I started by replicating my mom's method. I eventually turned to just instant coffee with a splash of milk or condensed milk because it was faster. I do like the taste of black coffee, but it's very acidic and stains teeth.
One summer, I lived on a college campus with a access to a buffet-style cafeteria. I drank three cups of black coffee every single day just because I could. I wasn't even doing any challenging work at that time, so it was just for kicks. I never felt too hyper, but I did I should probably cut back. I did have slight headaches as I weaned myself down to one cup per day.
Flavor
It's not just the caffeine, but the flavor of coffee. The enticing bitterness pairs well with both sweet or savory dishes. For breakfast, I usually have a PB&J sandwich, pastry, or bagel with a nice cup of coffee. But other than breakfast, I actually don't drink coffee with meals. It's a tasty drink to sip throughout the morning and afternoon, as a steady stream of "energy".
I don't quite understand how people are able to drink coffee with an evening dessert. It tastes great, but having a full cup of coffee at night? If I drink coffee anytime after 5 pm, I don't feel sleepy around my bedtime and it subsequently ruins my sleep schedule.
I'm not a snob with coffee; I have a hard time distinguishing between different types and regions. I just like the general taste of coffee, as long as it's not diluted with too much sugar or milk (lattes, cappuccinos, etc.). I'm staunchly opposed to ordering coffee from cafes because it's overpriced and the coffee is too weak.
Cost
A massive money-saver (and time-saver) is to buy a big container of instant coffee. A 14 oz container of instant coffee costs $15 dollars and makes over 200 cups of coffee; this comes out to $0.08 per cup. This also saves the time from stopping at a cafe and waiting for your order. A basic, medium cup of coffee costs about $3, and the entire trip of buying it takes about 10 minutes. Doing that every single day amounts to $1,095 and 61 hours per year.
Productivity
Some people take pride in not drinking coffee, perhaps because like they don't the caffeine dependency or taste. They're typically in the same crowd that abstain from any sort of alcohol or drugs, and live completely sober lives. Coffee and tea are the most socially accepted stimulant, with massive historical, cultural, and economic significance. Even for the same amount of caffeine, I never drink energy drinks because of the additional sugar, costs, and personal stigma against them.
Caffeine is a stimulant to the central nervous system. The caffeine chemicals block adenosine receptors in cells, which prevent adenosine from binding and triggering the feelings of tiredness. Like pain and hunger, the body alerts the brain when certain needs have to be met.
Sleep is needed for all organisms; some research suggests it's for repairing and cleansing waste in the brain. It's advised to get 8 hours of sleep every night, which will be 1/3 of a lifetime. I naturally get up after 6 hours of sleep, so it'll be 1/4. Sleeping feels great, and numerous studies have verified its importance in cognition, reaction, and mood.
So when people suppress their own body's desire for sleep, it is damaging in the long term. It's a trade-off between more time awake or more time sleeping. And most people would agree there's not enough time in the day, so they're willing to sacrifice some long term health for more immediate productivity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I just like coffee and I'll keep drinking it every day.
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