Coffee: Euphoria in a cup
27 12 2007
Coffee is an amazing substance. It smells good, it tastes even better, and it gives you a sense of undeniable clarity. Before proceeding, I should mention that I am no longer a coffee drinker due to my inability to sleep well. I have since switched to decaffeinated coffee. This is a shame however, as having a nice cup twice a day was one of my daily pleasures. I was quite literally hooked on coffee. This article is not about giving up coffee however, it is about the many things that make coffee an amazing experience.
I believe that it is wrong to label something “good” or “bad”, we should accept some of the strong points of coffee and understand why it adds to the human quality of life.
1. Helps you connect with others
Going out for a cup of coffee is almost the de facto standard of how we interact with friends. In fact, the last time you approached someone romantically, you very likely asked to “grab a cup of coffee together sometime”. Not only is coffee a quick and easy way to catch up with people, it also helps a meeting of the minds. Coffee has been shown to make people more agreeable. I used to insist fellow employees have meetings in coffee shops rather than meeting rooms, because we could much more easily come to an agreement over particular issues. When we all have an open mind, the conversation just flows.
2. Find tolerance for things that are difficult to be passionate about
For any student who has had to read through pages of accounting theory, or an office worker needing to wade through volumes of technical documents - this will ring true. What I find interesting you may find boring, but we can all agree that a cup of coffee can make the boring more bearable. Not only does it increase your ability to get through material faster, but it gives you subtle feeling of excitement as you approach the task. Combined, this makes you feel the importance of the work you are doing, and increases the likelyhood that you will do it better.
3. Sets a basic morning and afternoon ritual
Routine is not necessarily a bad thing for us busy folk. Having something to look forward to, no matter how small, is an added motivator to get through difficult days. For some dragging themselves out of bed to get to work is understandably torturous. An early morning cup makes this process much more enjoyable. The same for the afternoon slump, knowing that you can have a tasty coffee in the late afternoon gives you something to look forward to.
4. Gives you relief if you did not sleep well the night before
Those who have difficulty falling asleep can attest to the anxiety that lack of sleep can cause. In high powered work environments, looking tired is not an option. Unfortunately, most employers regard tired employees as uninterested. Coffee can help you think quick on your feet and perform normally even without a good nights sleep. Although, the lack of sleep will catch up with you if you do this for more than a single day.
5. Helps people suffering acute headaches
Caffeine is often used in pain suppressants. A friend of mine suffered from daily migraines, and got his headaches under control with a cup of coffee every day. It should be noted though that if you develop a dependency on caffeine, you will likely develop headaches on days you do not drink coffee.
6. Gives you a chance to get out of your office
Smokers have for a long time enjoyed the ability to step out of the office for a quick break. Unfortunately there are only a few reasons that are acceptable by most employers. In my working environments, coffee breaks have also been acceptable. This is not only a good reason to get up and stretch your legs, it also allows you to get to know fellow employees. A five minute coffee run with a work colleague can give you more insight into their personality than working with an individual all day. People have a portray different parts of their personality when they are sitting at their desk. By taking a few moments to grab a coffee with a work friend, it also gives you a chance to discuss matters that you otherwise cannot. Offices have become increasingly stringent on what is deemed inappropriate. This may be a chance for you to blow some steam or allow a work friend to the same.
7. Makes reading a good book an incredible journey
As an avid reader, there are a few things I enjoy more than relaxing with a good book. I have found that the only thing that makes a good book great is a cup of coffee to go with it. Okay, I will admit, I am talking the euphoric effects of caffeine. Coffee can make the images in your mind so much stronger while reading. In the past I would read during my lunch breaks in a coffee shop close to work, and would often loose track of the time. It turns the reading experience into a journey.
Coffee is truly a force in our society today. With thousands of people in busy cities carrying cups in their hands, and the hundreds of cafes that depend almost entirely on the revenue generated by coffee. Yes, it is an addictive substance. In large amounts, it can cause heart palpitations and nervousness. However, it is also the only easily and legally available substance that increases your productivity and can make a single day much more enjoyable.
As I have mentioned, I am no longer a coffee drinker - and have switched to decaffeinated coffee only. I often tell friends that if I were a deep sleeper, I would grab a cup of coffee in an instant. Some of the most innovative moments in my life came from sitting in a cafe and drinking coffee with an intelligent friend. I hope it does the same for you. Until next time, enjoy your next cup, and truly appreciate all of the things it gives you.
Recent Comments