The Effects Coffee Has on Your Productivity

Coffee is a universal staple for most home and offices. With its aromatic fragrance and bold taste, its no surprise that a majority of adults in the US consume at least one cup of coffee a day. Coffee helps to wake us up and gives us a boost of energy that helps us get through the day and finish our work.

Many people feel like they cannot survive without their Cup O’ Joe, but can coffee really help you increase your productivity? The answer is yes! Coffee has multiple effects of the body that can lead to increased productivity and work output.

Coffee can improve productivity

Studies examining the active ingredient caffeine, has shown that coffee can indeed improve productivity. This is because coffee has many effects on the brain, more specifically the central nervous system. First, it helps you wake up and stay alert which is why most people drink it in the morning.

Adenosine is a signal in the brain that makes you feel sleepy. Coffee, by way of its active ingredient caffeine, inhibits the interaction between adenosine and its receptors preventing you from feeling tired. Coffee also triggers the release of adrenaline, which can elevate heart rate and increase blood flow, helping you work harder and focus better. Coffee can also improve memory and the ability to recall.

In addition to improving cognitive function, coffee can foster collaboration between coworkers thereby improving overall productivity. It is also important to leave buffer time between tasks and making a cup of coffee at the office is a perfect way to transition to the next assignment.

Another benefit is the social aspect of it. You get a chance to chat with your colleagues in the kitchen while you make your coffee. You might even find an answer to a problem you have from another coworker while you are in the break room. In an office setting, coffee can boost morale and make workers feel like they are part of a team. Having a positive feeling about work itself can help make employees more productive.

Can too much coffee hurt?

The studies that have shown that coffee can improve productivity examined the effects of one cup of coffee (about 200mg of caffeine). If you consume more than 400mg of caffeine a day, your body starts to feel the side effects of being over-caffeinated.

First, too much caffeine causes the glands that release adrenaline to become overworked and eventually stop producing adrenaline all together. This causes you to feel sleepy and may be detrimental to your work productivity.  It can also cause nausea, gastrointestinal issues and can make you feel jittery and unwell. It is also important to be mindful about what you put into your coffee. For instance, too much sugar will cause a release in insulin and make you feel tired. A great way to sweeten your coffee without a bunch of sugar is to add vanilla to it.

Enjoying a cup of coffee each day before work has many positive effects of productivity. First, it wakes you up and helps you stay alert. It can also improve memory and the ability to recall. It can also help create a positive work environment more conducive to collaboration and problem solving.

Coffee must be consumed in moderation as too much coffee can be counter-productive and leave you feeling ill. However you enjoy your coffee, the key is consume it responsibly and in moderation.