Your footsteps might lead you straight out of the bed to the kettle when you wake up in the morning.
However, a sleep expert has warned that making a cup of coffee as soon as you open your eyes could spell bad news for your health.
Contrary to popular opinion, having the drink that early won’t give you the energy boost you’re hoping for.
Fortunately, Dr Deborah Lee, Sleep Expert from Get Laid Beds, explained what’s the best time to enjoy your first cup of the hot beverage.
Dr Lee said: “When you wake up, your stress hormone cortisol level is at its peak, which is a hormone that enhances alertness and focus, as well as regulating your metabolism and immune system response.
“Elevated levels or cortisol may impact your immune system, and if they’re already at its peak when waking up, drinking coffee as soon as your eyes open may do more harm than good, and may even make you immune to caffeine over a long period of time.”
The cortisol hormone follows a rhythm that’s tailored to your own sleeping cycle, usually peaking within 30 to 45 minutes after you wake up.
The stress hormone will then slowly decline throughout the day, opening up the ideal time for your coffee boost.
Dr Lee said: “Taking into account your own rhythm, the best time to have your caffeine fix would be, at the earliest, 45 minutes after waking up, when your cortisol rhythm starts to dip.
“The best time to drink coffee would typically be to drink mid-to-late morning when your cortisol is a lot lower and you can start to feel that energy slump, but of course not too late in the afternoon as it could affect your sleep.
“If you’re someone that wakes up at around 7am, for example, leaving your first coffee until around 10am to 12pm will be when your body, and mind, will appreciate it the most and you’ll get the most benefits from the caffeine.”
Caffeine works by blocking sleep-promoting receptors in your brain called adenosine receptors, making the timing of your last coffee cup also crucial.
Dr Lee added: “Typically, you should stop drinking coffee at least six hours before you sleep. However, this is different for different people, and only you know your own caffeine tolerance.
“To avoid messing up your sleeping pattern, avoid any caffeine after 3pm including coffee, fizzy drinks, energy drinks and even caffeinated tea. Try switching to herbal teas if you need a hot drink to stay warm, or decaf to trick yourself into thinking you’re getting your caffeine fix.”
