Quitting Red Bull (doctor, heart, exercising, cravings)

[bolehboleh]

I want to ask your advice.

I'm a 38 year old male and until late last year, I would drink about one Red Bull (sometimes 2) per day. I saw that it was taking a toll on my health because I would get heart palpitations and I'd be moody and/or very tired in the evening. I knew it was time to quit.

However, I now have a few problems:

1. First and foremost, I crave it every day. I can only imagine that this is what smokers go through when they quit. How do you guys stop the cravings?

2. Since I quite Red Bull, I've tried to drink more tea (I don't like coffee) so I can keep up my energy. However, I'm probably offsetting the health benefits because I put in so much sugar. Why do I do that? Because I still can't seem to get the same level of energy I used to get when I drank Red Bull.

3. I feel like I've become almost dimwitted. Since I quit Red Bull, I struggle to remember tasks, I forget basic vocabulary when I'm speaking, and I talk slower. One good thing is that I'm a better listener, but I struggle to keep up with conversations like I used to. What can I do?

Thanks,

[Meemur]

I used to drink a pot of coffee to get through my work day. My doctor said I had to quit. I tried several times but the headaches were too bad.

This is what finally worked: I quit in stages. I started with only drinking a half-pot for two weeks, and then each week after, I reduced it by a cup (6 oz) and then when I got it down to one cup per day, I went to 3 oz.

You get the idea. Maybe that will work with the Red Bull. Only drink 1/2 can a day and then 1/4 can . . .

Are you also exercising? I find that when I walk at least 20 minutes over my lunch hour, I'm more alert during the afternoon. I've also cut out donuts and cookies (mostly! I won't lie -- Valentine cookies are my downfall).

If you have a massive sweets craving and are tired all the time, you may want to get checked for diabetes, assuming that you are getting enough sleep. If you aren't getting enough sleep, that's the first problem that needs to be addressed.

The human body wasn't made to live on 5 hours of sleep a night. Most people need 8 - 9 hours. When they need that much and don't get enough, it can lead to health problems.