Before you get upset, let me say this: I’m not here to demonize coffee. Coffee/caffeine isn’t “bad.” For many people, it’s a simple pleasure. But there’s a difference between enjoying coffee and using caffeine to survive.

That’s the part many of us don’t talk about.

Because midlife fatigue feels personal. It feels like, “What’s wrong with me?”
So we push. We power through. We sip our way into functioning… and call it normal.

But sis—tiredness is not a personality flaw. It’s often a signal.

Here’s what I’ve learned (and what I wish more women over 50 were told):

1) Caffeine can disrupt sleep—especially when we’re already vulnerable

Many women are already dealing with midlife sleep shifts: early waking, lighter sleep, more stress, hormonal changes.

Caffeine doesn’t always help. In fact, caffeine can disrupt sleep patterns, even when you swear it “doesn’t affect you.” Sometimes the problem isn’t falling asleep. It’s the quality of sleep. It’s waking up feeling like you never truly rested.

And then the cycle becomes: tired → coffee → sleep disruption → more tired → more coffee

2) Trying to stop can bring withdrawal that makes you think you “need” it

When you’ve been leaning on caffeine, trying to cut back can feel rough.

Withdrawal can show up as:

• irritability
• fatigue
• headaches

So you think, “See? I can’t function without it.”
But sometimes that’s not your body “needing caffeine.” That’s your body adjusting.

3) Caffeine doesn’t always increase true mental alertness

This one surprised a lot of women I talk to: caffeine can make you feel more awake, but it doesn’t necessarily improve real cognitive performance long-term—especially when your brain is already depleted.

In other words, caffeine can give the illusion of clarity while your brain is still under-rested and under-supported.

4) It can elevate blood pressure and heart rate

If you’ve ever felt jittery, anxious, or like your heart is “doing the most,” caffeine can contribute—especially in midlife when our bodies can become more sensitive.

And sometimes what we call “anxiety” is actually overstimulation.

5) Coffee can dehydrate you (and a dehydrated brain feels foggy)

Many women wake up, go straight to caffeine, and don’t drink water for hours.

A dehydrated brain can feel like:

• brain fog
• headaches
• irritability
• low focus

So the “fix” isn’t always more caffeine. Sometimes it’s water, protein, and rest.

6) It can trigger GI issues

Coffee increases acid secretion, and for some people that means:

• stomach discomfort
• reflux
• digestive upset

Your body’s not being “dramatic.” It’s responding.

7) The deeper issue: dependency

This is the part I want to say with love: When we start depending on a substance to give us energy, it’s often because we’ve stopped listening to what our body actually needs.

And for many women, trying to drink caffeinated drinks for more energy only made things worse. I didn’t realize coffee could’ve been the culprit behind me not getting the sleep I needed… the sleep that would’ve fueled my body in the first place.

Here’s what I believe: God cares about how you live—mind, body, and spirit.

So if your body is waving a flag saying “I’m tired,” “I’m anxious,” “I’m not sleeping,” “I’m foggy,” we don’t shame ourselves for it. We practice stewardship. Stewardship says: I’m going to pay attention. I’m going to get wisdom. I’m going to support what God entrusted to me.

If you’re wondering whether coffee is helping you or hurting you, here are some rules to follow for a gentle reset.

1. Water before coffee
   One full glass. Every morning. Before your first cup.
2. Don’t drink coffee on an empty stomach
   Add protein with your first meal to stabilize energy.
3. Set a caffeine cutoff time
   Try no caffeine after late morning/early afternoon (your sleep will thank you).
4. Pay attention to what changes
   Sleep quality, anxiety levels, digestion, and brain fog.

Not perfection—just awareness.

If you’ve been running on caffeine lately, I’m not judging you. I get it. But I want you to ask yourself: What has my tired been trying to tell me? Because you deserve more than survival energy. You deserve steady energy. Clear thinking. Restful sleep. Peace.

If you would like to do a Full Coffee Reset...Send me an email to info@janicerlove.com and in the subject line write:RESET and I will send you my  Full 7-Day Coffee Reset Guide (one page) + the exact steps.

With you,

Dr. Janice R. Love
Brain Health Coach for Midlife Women

"Because a renewed mind changes everything"