What Is No Joe January? Why You Should Consider Giving Up Coffee in January
People are giving up coffee for a host of reasons this month. Here's what you need to know.
You may have heard of Dry January, the annual tradition of forgoing alcoholic drinks and going sober for the first month of the year. You also may know about Whole30, the elimination diet where you give avoid grains, legumes, dairy, alcohol, added and artificial sugar and foods with common additives that many also try each year during January. But this year, a growing number of people are starting to give up coffee for 30 days, in a trend becoming known as No Joe January.
While there are plenty of studies showing that coffee has many health benefits, too much coffee can be dangerous. Those who give up their daily coffee report less stress, better sleep, lower blood pressure, better digestion, fewer bathroom breaks and an overall calmer, less anxious state of being. It’s a way of resetting and rethinking a healthier relationship with coffee.
“I got to a place where rather than enjoying it from a balanced place of sustained energy, I had a desperate, reliant relationship to the chemical,” said Amanda Chantal Bacon, founder of Moon Juice, an adaptogenic beauty and wellness company that sells alternatives to coffee. “By the end of the month without caffeine, I felt way more peaceful, positive, patient and open-hearted. I was more affectionate towards my husband, work was just as efficient, but with less edge, and I felt the return to a hormonal balance that had been disrupted by the daily caffeine.”
What Are the Health Benefits of Giving Up Coffee?
A lot of benefits can happen to your body when you quit coffee. According to WebMD, eschewing caffeine can help lower anxiety and blood pressure. Coffee can make you anxious and trigger your “fight or flight” response, causing jitters, nervousness, heart palpitations and even feelings of panic. Researchers think it might also keep your arteries from staying as wide as they should for healthy blood pressure. Equally problematic are withdrawal symptoms like headaches that occur when those who are heavy coffee drinkers don’t get their morning joe.
According to Healthline, giving up coffee can help your sleep. Studies have shown that daily coffee intake can alter sleep cycles and cause restless sleep and daytime drowsiness. This is especially true if you consume caffeine less than six hours before bedtime. If you don’t drink coffee, some studies suggest that your body may absorb nutrients like calcium, iron and B vitamins better than those who do.
Finally, giving up coffee can help your appearance, with whiter teeth and better skin. Caffeine slows down the production of collagen, which gives skin its tightness and elasticity
What Are Some Coffee Alternatives to Try?
These days, there are so many great alternatives to coffee that have less or no caffeine. Switching from coffee to tea is the obvious choice, especially green tea. In studies, green tea is linked to preventing just about every ailment—from cancer to puffy eyes. Though it has caffeine, it has significantly less than coffee and black tea.
Beyond tea, there’s yerba mate, a South American favorite made from evergreen tree leaves and brewed cacao (not to be confused with cocoa). Matcha, the Japanese powdered tea, is becoming popular for its healthy mix of antioxidants, vitamins and fiber. Mushroom coffee relies on the fungi’s powerful health benefits to sharpen your focus, reduce brain fog and keep your energy levels sustained throughout the day—all without the post-coffee crash.
Apricot Lemonade Iced Tea
Every special occasion deserves a refreshing beverage (and a lovely punch bowl). Our tea has a tangy flavor from lemonade, apricot nectar and mint. —Kay Chon, Sherwood, Arkansas
Iced Raspberry Tea
Frozen raspberries lend fruity flavor and lovely color to this pretty iced tea that's good throughout the year. The recipe calls for just a few common ingredients and offers make-ahead convenience. —Lois McGrady, Hillsville, Virginia
Slow-Cooker Chai Tea
A wonderful sweet and spicy aroma wafts from the slow cooker as this pleasantly flavored chai tea cooks. —Crystal Jo Burns, Iliff, Colorado
Touch-of-Mint Iced Tea
My family loves the mild mint and lemon flavors in this iced tea. It's a wonderful alternative to soft drinks.—Martha Haseman, Hinckley, Illinois
Rhubarb Mint Tea
A bumper crop of rhubarb and mint from my garden inspired me to create this thirst-quenching pick-me-up. Raspberries deepen the tea's vibrant red color, making the drinks a pretty addition to your table. —Laurie Bock, Lynden, Washington
Ginger Cardamom Tea
I like to add a little spice to my tea, which is why I mix in the ginger and cardamom. Kick up your feet and relax with a steaming mug full of this comforting drink. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Summertime Tea
You can’t have a summer gathering around here without this sweet tea to cool you down. It’s wonderful for sipping while basking by the pool. —Angela Lively, Baxter, Tennessee
Vanilla Chai Tea
This warm chai is comfort in a cup. It’s extra special with a dollop of fresh whipped cream and a sprinkling of ground allspice on top. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Sweet Citrus Iced Tea
My family has been making iced tea this way ever since I was a child. When I recently prepared it for a church function, everyone liked it so much that they asked for the recipe. — Diane C Kirkpatrick, Terre Hill, Pennsylvania
Cranberry Tea
This colorful tea with its sweet spicy flavor is a great winter warmer-upper. The aroma is sure to bring guests to the table! —Kathy Traetow, Waverly, Iowa
Apple Spiced Tea
When was the last time you stopped for afternoon tea? After you try this sweetly spiced drink, you’ll make it a regular event. —Susan Westerfield, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Mom's Tangerine Iced Tea
Simple syrup gives a smooth finish to this sweet tea with a citrus twist. It's so refreshing on a hot day. —Mary Miller, Poplarville, Mississippi
Bella Basil Raspberry Tea
Beautiful basil and fresh raspberries lend bright color and refreshing flavor to this grown-up iced tea. You’ll love the fun fizz and make-ahead convenience for parties. —Laurie Bock, Lynden, Washington
Spiced Apricot Tea
Warm up a chilly winter morning by serving cups of this hot, fruity tea. It’s wonderful with scones, muffins or other breakfast treats. —Mary Houchin, Lebanon, Illinois
Lemon Lime Almond Tea
I got this delicious tea recipe from a friend and make it about twice a week. It's such a refreshing drink. —Tammy Griffin, Frankston, Texas
Sweet Tea Concentrate
Sweet iced tea is a southern classic, and this is a fabulous recipe for tea lovers or for a party. The concentrate will make 20 servings. —Natalie Bremson, Plantation, Florida
Pineapple Iced Tea
We have a large family, so we go through beverages quickly at our house. This thirst-quenching tea is simple to mix together and has a sparkling citrus flavor we all enjoy. —K. Kitell, Lenexa, Kansas
Sweet Raspberry Tea
You need only a handful of ingredients to stir together this refreshing spring sipper. Its brilliant color and smile-fetching flavor will make a popular thirst quencher as the weather turns warm. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Orange Tea
My children always appreciated a hot cup of this beverage after walking home from school. The tea is refreshing and tasty, and it warms you up. For about half the year, warmth is something we can always use more of around here! —Sally Mueller, Loveland, Colorado
Aunt Dorothy's Russian Tea
When I was growing up I always looked forward to the Russian Tea that my Aunt Dorothy made every Christmas Eve. As soon as the weather turned chilly, I would start longing for a hot, steamy cup. It wasn't unitl I was away at college that I finally thought to ask her for the recipe! I place the whole cloves into a tea ball strainer so they're easy to remove when the tea is ready. If you don't have a tea ball, you can place the cloves in cheesecloth as directed. —Sharon Flenniken, Charlotte, North Carolina
Spicy Mint Tea
In the old days, a steaming cup of mint tea was said to dispel headaches, heartburn and indigestion. I don't know about that, but I do know that this tea refreshes me every time.—Ione Banks, Jefferson, Oregon
Chocolate Chai Frappes
Mix chocolate milk with chai tea and get a glass of pure comfort. There’s no more delicious way to cool off on a hot afternoon…or anytime. —Heidi Blanken, Sedro-Woolley, Washington
Sweet Tea Boysenberry Shandy
I love an ice-cold beer on a hot summer day. I also love sweet tea, so one day I got the great idea to mix the two. Wow! It was absolutely delish. I experimented with different flavorings, and this combination was my favorite. —Kelly Williams, Forked River, New Jersey
Orange Blossom Mint Refresher
I came up with this recipe because I'm not a fan of regular iced tea. This tea has the perfect combination of freshness and sweetness. The orange blossom water gives it a distinctive flavor. People often request the recipe after just one sip. —Juliana Gauss, Centennial, Colorado
Chai Tea
Perfect for cold nights, this masala chai tea recipe incorporates spices that make it so delicious, you'll want to drink it every day. —Kelly Pacowta, Danbury, Connecticut
Minty Tea Punch
Forget sugary (and boring) sodas for your next potluck and treat your family and friends to a refreshing homemade punch. —Crystal Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
Smooth Sweet Tea
A pinch of baking soda eliminates bitterness in this smooth and easy-to-sip tea and it has just the right amount of sugar so it's not overly sweet. —kelseylouise, Taste of Home Community Member
Lemon Spiced Tea
Cinnamon and honey really perk up the flavor of basic lemon tea. Add a splash of lemon extract to take this drink delightfully over the top. —Adeline Russell, Hartford, Wisconsin
Ginger Tea Drink
Looking for something new and special to serve to guests? Let a soothing green tea simmer while you concentrate on preparing other dishes for your gathering. You'll ge lots of requests for the recipe. —Alexandra Marcotty, Cleveland Heights, Ohio
Tropical Tea
Brew a batch of this fragrant, flavorful tea in a slow cooker for your next family gathering. —Irene Helen Zundel, Carmichaels, Pennsylvania
Iced Melon Moroccan Mint Tea
I grow mint on my balcony, and this refreshing beverage is a wonderful way to use it. It combines two of my favorite drinks—Moroccan Mint Tea and Honeydew Agua Fresca. For extra flair, add some ginger ale. —Sarah Batt Throne, El Cerrito, California
Caramel-Chai Tea Latte
Inspired by the spicy chai drinks served at coffee shops, I whipped up a caramel-drizzled latte I can enjoy at home anytime. —Katelyn Kelly, Perryville, Maryland
Pineapple-Orange Spiced Tea
The sweet aroma of this tea wafting from a slow cooker warms the dreariest day. My daughter served it for a holiday open house, and coffee drinkers were instantly converted. I bring it to the office to spice up our break room beverage selections. —Carole J. Drennan, Abilene, Texas
Iced Honeydew Mint Tea
I grow mint in the garden on my balcony. For this tea, I blend two of my favorite beverages—Moroccan mint tea and honeydew agua fresca. —Sarah Batt Throne, El Cerrito, California
Lemony Pineapple Iced Tea
I like to garnish this iced tea with some of our sweet Hawaiian pineapple. —Beverly Toomey, Honolulu, Hawaii
Warm Spiced Chai
My wife loves chai, but I have never been satisfied with any of the store-bought mixes, so I created my own. —Justin Weber, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Lemon Thyme Green Tea
Fresh sprigs of lemon thyme make this citrusy tea so refreshing—it’s like sipping summer from a cup. My family and I enjoy it so much that it’s a staple on our southern front porch.—Melissa Pelkey Hass, Waleska, Georgia
