The relationship between coffee and writing can be a magical bond, but when going through prolonged periods of intense writing it can also be a problematic one. A couple of cups of coffee over a couple of hours is a fine thing, but seven cups of coffee over seven hours isn’t!
So, what to do?
Well, I am going through one of these intense stretches this month, in which I am using a variation of the Pomodoro technique: I write in timed repetitive 50-minute blocks, interspersed with 10-minute breaks, and those 10-minute breaks are the perfect amount of time to repeatedly satiate my dangerous coffee bug.
But, thanks to my wife, I’ve found a solution: herbal teas!
After two cups of coffee, I switch to herbal teas.
The herbal teas I use are non-caffeinated and easy to make. The come in a multitude of interesting flavors to try (my current favorite is peppermint), but not so intense they are distracting. Also, and most importantly, making and dinking these herbal teas replace my habitual response-reward of coffee making and drinking.
Who knows? Perhaps, I may give up coffee altogether! (Just kidding, I simply can’t see that happening).
Anyway if you’re a writer concerned about drinking too much coffee throughout the day, give herbal teas a chance.