This article was originally published on Sept. 10, 2020 and has since been updated with additional information.
In our fast-paced and demanding lives, it is no surprise that many of us turn to substances like caffeine and alcohol to cope with stress and anxiety. While they may provide a temporary feeling of relief, could they also have negative consequences for our mental health?
Understanding how a daily coffee or cocktail habit could be influencing your well-being is a great way to take care of yourself. Everyday substances like caffeine and alcohol, when consumed in excess, can exacerbate underlying mental health issues like anxiety and depression. And seemingly harmless drugs in your medicine cabinet, like allergy or cold meds, can interact with medications used for treating mental health to bring about serious consequences.
Coffee and Sleep
“When we’re talking about caffeine and about alcohol and their impacts on mental health, the topic that you start focusing on is sleep,” says Alexander Blount, a psychologist and professor emeritus of family medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.
