I admit that the notion of avoiding caffeine is novel. Coffee and espresso consumption is so widely socially accepted that most people don’t challenge its necessity. I believe that breaking one’s dependence on caffeine requires dispelling the myth that people need caffeine to be productive. When I was in high school, I was concerned that I would have to start drinking coffee and soda in college in order to complete my studies.

When I mentioned this to one of my uncles, who is a dentist, he told me that he made it through his undergraduate years and dental school and did quite well without drinking coffee or large amounts of caffeine from any source. From this anecdotal evidence, I learned that it was possible not to consume caffeine and still to do well in school and work. For my own part, I completed most of my undergraduate studies and worked for a startup company for several years without consuming caffeine. I even worked in Seattle for two summers, where Starbucks and Seattle’s Best are extremely popular, without drinking coffee! Besides avoiding becoming dehydrated, I have also saved money and avoided damaging or staining my teeth. It is also important to note that I get a solid eight hours of sleep at night, eat well, exercise, and stay relatively fit. I am still able to be alert and productive at work. In fact, I am more alert and productive than my counterparts.

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