Week 20. From Teabags to Tired
Brewless and Restless. My Journey to Rehydration
For many years now, I’ve been fuelled by a diet that would make most GPs weep and most university librarians nod in weary recognition. But this week, in a moment of wild recklessness (or perhaps impending burnout), I decided to scale back my excessive tea drinking.
Full disclosure: I was drinking between 10 to 15 cups a day. That’s not an exaggeration, that’s a full-time relationship.
It would seem, I’m not alone in my devotion. The UK consumes a staggering 100 million cups of tea every single day, making us one of the highest tea-drinking nations per capita on the planet (UK Tea & Infusions Association, 2024). It’s more than a drink, it’s national infrastructure.
And let’s be honest, quitting or cutting back on tea in the UK is a bit like renouncing your citizenship. We don’t just drink it, we process life through it. Had a bad day? Put the kettle on. Lost a job? Teabag in. Had a disagreement? Time for a brew. It's no wonder that 84% of British adults drink tea regularly, with many using it to manage stress, boost focus, and create a moment of calm in the daily chaos (Mintel, 2025).
But can we have too much of a good thing? Turns out, yes. And this week, I'm finding out just how deeply the nation's favourite brew has woven itself into my daily coping mechanisms. Fatigue, headaches, and some very dramatic staring at the kettle ensued, but also a quiet revelation. Maybe I don’t need tea quite as much as I thought, maybe I just need a healthier alternative….. And some sleep!
So this week I challenged myself to reduce the tea, replace it with lemon water and fruit infusions, and just maybe, try sleeping like a normal human instead of a highly caffeinated owl.
It's been rough. Since reducing my intake, I’ve felt drained, not metaphorically, but physically. Fatigue, headaches, and cranky!. Turns out, this is no coincidence. They're symptoms of caffeine withdrawal, a very real and scientifically recognised experience.
Caffeine works by blocking adenosine, a brain chemical that makes us feel sleepy. When you stop ingesting caffeine, adenosine floods back in, hence the crashing tiredness and headaches (Juliano & Griffiths, 2004). Even moderate daily caffeine consumption can lead to physical dependence, with withdrawal symptoms peaking within the first two days (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).
What Are We Really Running On?
This experiment has made me reflect. Was I genuinely energised, or just chemically managed? It’s easy to mistake “functioning” for “thriving” when the pressure to achieve is constant. And like many of you, especially those balancing work, studies, and or family, the idea of rest can feel like a luxury rather than a necessity.
For years, I’ve worn my lack of sleep like a badge of honour. Now, I realise it’s more like a warning sign. Cutting down my tea drinking hasn’t made me a wellness guru overnight. I’m still navigating the fog of fatigue, but I’m trying. Fruit teas, lemon water, and actual hydration (revolutionary!) are starting to creep into my routine. This mission is not about perfection, it’s about permission. Permission to slow down. To reimagine productivity not as sleeplessness and self-sacrifice, but as sustainability and balance.
A Final Sip
Tea will always hold a place in my heart, and probably still the odd place in my cup. But this week reminded me that habits shape how we live and feel. It’s easy to substitute rest with stimulants, to swap sleep for study. But maybe our greatest form of self-respect is choosing rest when we can, and recognising when we’re running on fumes.
So here's to small changes, honest reflections, and a gentler pace.
Until next week kettle friends, stay hydrated.
References
American Psychiatric Association (2013) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-5. 5th ed. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
Juliano, L.M. and Griffiths, R.R. (2004) ‘A critical review of caffeine withdrawal: empirical validation of symptoms and signs, incidence, severity, and associated features’, Psychopharmacology, 176(1), pp. 1–29. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-004-2000-x
Mintel (2025) Tea and Other Hot Drinks - UK - 2025. [online] Mintel Store. Available at: https://store.mintel.com/report/uk-tea-and-other-hot-drinks-market-report
UK Tea & Infusions Association (2024) Tea Fact Sheet: UK Consumption. [online] Available at: https://www.tea.co.uk
