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Anxiety, Caffeine, & Anhedonia: A Personal Journey Toward Calm

If you’re feeling anxious, one of the first things to evaluate is your caffeine intake. Many of us rely on coffee, tea, or energy drinks to get through the day, but caffeine is a stimulant that can contribute to heightened anxiety, poor sleep, and emotional dysregulation.

In the most recent episode of the Slow Living Podcast, I’m sharing my personal experience with cutting back on caffeine, what I learned about anhedonia (the inability to feel pleasure), and the surprising benefits I’ve noticed in the past eight weeks.

The Link Between Anxiety and Caffeine

Caffeine affects the central nervous system, increasing heart rate and triggering the release of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. 

If you’re already prone to anxiety, this can make symptoms worse, leaving you feeling jittery, restless, or even panicked.

I had always known this on some level, but I never considered how much my daily caffeine habit might be exacerbating my own feelings of unease.

Then, eight weeks ago, after a nasty bout of norovirus left me unable to tolerate much of anything, I unintentionally quit caffeine for a few days. 

When I started to feel better, I decided to keep my caffeine intake low—about half of a black tea bag per day. What happened next surprised me.

What Happens When You Cut Back on Caffeine?

At first, I experienced some withdrawal symptoms, including headaches, fatigue, and a crushing sense of anhedonia—an overall dulling of pleasure and motivation. This was the hardest part — and it took MUCH LONGER than I wished for it to begin to dissipate.

 I found myself wondering if I had made a mistake by cutting back.

But after pushing through that initial phase, I began to notice profound benefits:

• Less Anxiety – I felt more emotionally even-keeled and less prone to sudden worry or overthinking.
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• Better Sleep – Falling asleep became easier, and I woke up feeling more rested.
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• Fewer Mood Swings – I was less reactive and more patient in my day-to-day life.
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In short, I felt calmer and more in control—two things I believe we are all chasing in one way or another.

Slowing Down Before Your Body Forces You To

One of the biggest takeaways from this experience is how important it is to slow down on purpose—because if you don’t, your body might do it for you. 

Whether it’s through anxiety, burnout, or physical illness, our bodies have a way of forcing us to rest when we ignore their signals for too long.

Slow Living is about making intentional choices that support long-term well-being. For me, this has meant reducing caffeine, improving my sleep, and prioritizing activities that bring real joy—not just quick dopamine hits.

If you’re feeling anxious, restless, or exhausted, I encourage you to take a look at your habits. Cutting back on caffeine may not be the answer for everyone, but small lifestyle adjustments can make a significant impact on your mental health.

Want to Dive Deeper?

If this topic resonates with you, check out these past podcast episodes:

– Episode 90: All About Adrenal Fatigue
– Episode 121: Anxiety, ADHD, and More
– Episode 145: Teaching Emotional Regulation to Children
– Episode 155: Burnout

Also, don’t forget to download the Daily Journaling Mindset Worksheet to check in with yourself today. 

Small shifts can lead to big changes.

Have you ever reduced caffeine or made a change that helped ease anxiety? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments!