How drinking coffee on an empty stomach might be making your anxiety worse

Which do you reach for first: coffee or breakfast?

If you struggle with anxiety, did you know that drinking coffee (or other forms of caffeine) on an empty stomach can actually make your anxiety symptoms worse?

 Here’s what you might be experiencing:

1. Stimulant effects. It can increase alertness and heart rate. This heightened physiological response can trigger or intensify feelings of restlessness, nervousness, and unease.

2. The jitters. Anxiety is often associated with increased heart rate, shakiness, and a sense of “the jitters”. Drinking coffee on an empty stomach can exacerbate these physical sensations.

3. Overstimulation. For some, caffeine’s effects on the central nervous system can lead to overstimulation, which can lead to feeling more on edge, anxious, agitated, or angry.

4. Digestive discomfort. Anxiety can have gastrointestinal symptoms like stomach aches or nausea. Drinking coffee before eating can increase stomach acid production, which can lead to discomfort or gastrointestinal distress, only making you feel worse.

5. Sleep disruption. Your coffee consumption could be disrupting your sleep patterns and poor sleep is also closely linked to increased feelings of anxiety.

If this is you, stop drinking coffee on an empty stomach! You may very well still be able to enjoy a cup of coffee once you’ve eaten and feel noticeably better. It’s such a simple fix, but one that is often overlooked.