Skip to content
As we grow up, most of us are taught not to believe anything that’s too good to be true. “There’s no such thing as a free lunch,” we’re told, time and again. What happens if we apply this common sense to coffee? Here’s a drink that’s easy to buy or make for yourself, is delicious and also increases our productivity. There are even numerous health benefits associated with coffee. So, what’s the catch? Our natural scepticism may lead us to question some of coffee’s positive attributes. In this week’s blog, we will take a deeper look at coffee’s ability to boost productivity and see if it’s really all it’s cracked up to be.
How Does Caffeine Work?
In order to understand how coffee affects our productivity, we need to understand how caffeine affects our bodies. It does this in a number of ways and very quickly too. The effects start to take hold within five minutes of consuming caffeine.
Firstly, coffee blocks the adenosine receptors in our brains. When we become tired, the body produces adenosine in order to signal to the brain that it’s time to sleep. With the adenosine receptors blocked, we don’t get that same tired feeling. In other words, caffeine tricks us into feeling less tired than we are.
Not only that, ingesting caffeine can trigger your body to produce adrenaline which provides a shot of energy that we can feel. This is a big part of the reason why you may perk up suddenly after drinking a cup of coffee.
It’s important to note that, like with other substances, our bodies will build up a tolerance to caffeine over time if we consume it regularly. If you’re a regular coffee drinker, you may need to drink more within a shorter time frame in order to experience the same effects as someone trying it for the first time.
The impact of caffeine on productivity
The effects of coffee and caffeine on productivity are not cut and dry because there are so many things they do. There are other factors to consider as well, such as the size of the dose and the frequency of consumption. However, it’s still possible to make a general assessment.
Combat tiredness
This is why coffee is so popular with people right after they wake up or early in the morning. Because we trick our brains into thinking we’re less tired with the help of coffee, we don’t experience the same sense of fatigue. This has a direct, positive impact on our productivity. We work better and more efficiently when we feel awake and alert.
Increase cognition
There are numerous studies linking coffee to increased brain function and performance. What’s so interesting is that studies have identified both short and long-term links between coffee consumption and these benefits. It’s been shown that drinking coffee helps your brain to work faster, improves your memory and allows you to maintain a higher level of focus.
Sleep
Sleep is essential for our productivity as well as our health in general. Because coffee makes us feel less tired, it’s not hard to see how it could interfere with our sleeping habits as well. Drinking coffee can affect your ability to sleep for up to eight hours after the fact so it’s important to regulate your consumption throughout the day.
Anxiety
Earlier, we mentioned the release of adrenaline as one of the effects of caffeine consumption. While this can be a big help in terms of our productivity, it can also exacerbate problems with anxiety. In this case, coffee could have a negative impact on productivity.
Tips for boosting your productivity with coffee
In order to maximise the productive power of coffee, there are a few things you can do.
- Drink the right amount of coffee. This is a different amount for each person, but it should be easy enough to find the right balance for you. Drink too much and you may give yourself the jitters. Too little, and you won’t get access to the amazing energy and cognitive benefits coffee has to offer.
- Drink coffee as early in the day as possible. As a general rule, you should try and avoid drinking too much coffee after midday. It can stay in your system for a long time, which can be great as you try to get work done, but might impact your sleep later that night.
Coffee and productivity
As it turns out, coffee is an excellent tool for managing and increasing productivity. When you don’t overdo it and drink it in moderation, it can perk you up and help you concentrate throughout your working day. This is one of the many reasons why providing coffee to your employees is a winning business strategy. If you’re interested in leasing a machine and taking your coffee culture to the next level, get in touch with Cuco today!
