I can say that I’m truly addicted to coffee. If it becomes 8:00 am and I haven’t had my morning cup of joe, I can feel a headache coming on. I went cold turkey both times I found out I was pregnant and a four-day migraine ensued. Perhaps it’s not a great thing that my body clearly needs coffee, but then again, there are worse things to be addicted to.
I wake up between 5:00 and 5:30 am almost every day of the week to blog and work on freelance writing jobs, and if it wasn’t for coffee, I couldn’t do it. The thought of a fresh cup of my favorite beverage along with some relaxing tunes gets me out of bed and on the computer.
Did you know that today is International Coffee Day? Well, it is and I can’t let this celebration day go by without a little shout out. In my mind, there are three key reasons to celebrate International Coffee Day.
1. Coffee is good for you: More and more research indicates that coffee offers a number of health benefits. One study indicated that drinking coffee lowers the risk of heart failure by up to 11%. It may also protect against type-2 diabetes and a number of liver illnesses. US researches conducted a study on coffee and Parkinson’s and found that “higher coffee and caffeine intake is associated with a significantly lower incidence of Parkinson’s disease”. Furthermore, many controlled human trials show that coffee improves various aspects of brain function. This includes memory, mood, vigilance, energy levels, reaction times and general cognitive function. So as you can see, not only does coffee give you an energy boost, but it provides numerous other health benefits as well.
2. Coffee is an impetus for social interaction: I had an amazing group of girlfriends in high school, and we’re all still friends today. As teenagers, we loved driving into downtown Asheville and hanging out at a coffee shop called Bean Streets. Another business is in the space today, but I still think of those days fondly when I walk by that building. Since then, I’ve spent thousands of hours in coffee shops across the country talking to friends, crying, laughing, working, meeting with clients, etc. Then I think about lingering over a cup of coffee at the home of a friend or family member. When we visit my mother-in-law, she and I love sitting around drinking coffee and watching the boys play. I truly feel like coffee offers a stimulus for togetherness.
3. Buying coffee can support your local economy: I was meant to live in the town where I live. For many people, the only option for coffee is Starbucks (which is totally fine) and some don’t even have one of those and have to settle for fast food coffee. Ugh! We have two coffee roasters in my small town that then sell their product to a number of other establishments, so wherever I go (especially if it’s a local, independent place), I can get a cup of delicious, locally-roasted coffee. You have no idea how much this simple pleasure enhances my life. Moreover, I know that every time I buy a cup of coffee in my town, the money goes right back into our local economy. It’s a win-win.
Are you also a true fan of coffee? If not, I’m sure you know of someone who is, so let’s all take a few minutes to celebrate International Coffee Day.
And let me just personally say, I love you my dearest coffee. ♥
I drink more tea than coffee, but as I definitely appreciate a really good cup of joe! Happy coffee day 🙂
Lifting my cup to you to join in your celebration of coffee! Fun post!!!