Does coffee make you more productive?
By Fleur
@Fleura (30018)
United Kingdom
July 22, 2024 9:53am CST
It’s an established idea isn’t it, that a coffee or two is what’s needed to get us going in the mornings and help us think more clearly and get things done.
Does it work for you?
I guess it might work if I lived in Italy, where many people stop off for a quick espresso standing at the counter of a café on their way to work. For me at home though it doesn’t help me get things done at all – quite the opposite in fact.
Although, these days, I do enjoy a coffee in the morning, I like to take my time over a drink so a mug of coffee means that I dawdle over finishing that rather than getting on with practical jobs!
For desk work it’s OK, but for anything else I have to make sure I get it done first before I sit down with a coffee.
What about you?
19 people like this
20 responses
@abhi_bangal (4934)
• Ahmednagar, India
23 Jul
The same applies to me as well, Jim. As I said in my above response, being active doesn't mean being more productive. To me being active is just not feeling sleepy or not feeling boring. I am on another level when I more productive. At such times, I don't even need a cup of coffee or tea.
And as you said, you have to have it every single morning, it's just that our mind has gotten used to it. Without having a cup of coffee, our mornings just don't start.
3 people like this
@porwest (87794)
• United States
25 Jul
@abhi_bangal Without coffee, I am as good as stalled. lol
2 people like this
@Chellezhere (5652)
• United States
22 Jul
In my 20s, working in offices, I drank at least 32-ounces of espresso a day. Over time, I eased off that to something weaker (I took my coffee black). Then, last year, I gave it up entirely, except one day a few months back. We got a new property manager, so there was a "Meet and Greet." Wen I got to the community room, knowing I was avoiding things for my upcoming gastric sleeve surgery, one encouraged me to partake in some coffee and doughnuts because I had been "so good." So, I had one doughnut, then HAD to have a cup of coffee. That resulted in my needing two more of each. I WAS BOUNCING OFF THE WALLS! So, I do not do that anymore.
2 people like this
@Fleura (30018)
• United Kingdom
23 Jul
@Chellezhere It isn't the same is it? Even the good quality stuff is still just not quite 'right'.
2 people like this
@Chellezhere (5652)
• United States
23 Jul
@Fleura I have not had any coffee since that day a few months ago, but tried decaf in the past. I could drink it solely because I used mind over matter and focused enough on the aroma not to be bothered by the (lack of) taste.
2 people like this
@xFiacre (12867)
• Ireland
22 Jul
@fleura It makes me more productive in the bathroom. Years ago my wife decided that coffee was making me fidgety in bed even though it didn’t. So I gave coffee after a final double espresso in Turin at Caffe Roberto on 17 March 2009 and took no more till another double espresso in a caffe in Piazza del Duomo in Syracuse on March 20 2017. No difference in fidgetyness was detected.
2 people like this
@pitsipeahie (5014)
•
23 Jul
I get things done through out the day just fine without coffee. 
2 people like this
@ChristineSara (91)
•
23 Jul
When I started taking coffee I felt that it does make ypu more productive, activates your brain and make you feel fresh, but with time I think this thought lost somewhere and now I just emjoy having coffee.
2 people like this
@much2say (55118)
• Los Angeles, California
22 Jul
I used to think that it did! At the job where I first started getting into coffee, my boss would make it super strong . . . but then again I'd dump a lot of sugar in it plus eat a heavy sugary pastry along with it. Maybe it was more the sugar that got me going 
. Forever now, I've been having it black . . . and only on weekends . . . during relaxing mornings. For me, I don't think I need it to perk up energy or focus.
. Forever now, I've been having it black . . . and only on weekends . . . during relaxing mornings. For me, I don't think I need it to perk up energy or focus.2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (78786)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
23 Jul
I no longer drink coffee I always have a jug of iced tea in my fridge,
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (174650)
• United States
23 Jul
When my husband is home, he makes me a cup of decaf coffee in the afternoon. Other than that, I don't drink coffee. Have a good day.
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (35362)
•
23 Jul
I think in the very short-term caffeine makes you feel more awake and focused. Which may help with productivity. But when it wears off it causes the opposite effect. So, drinking coffee all day becomes counterproductive. I know if I drink too much, I have an afternoon "crash" where I become really tired.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160242)
• United States
23 Jul
I only think it makes me more productive if I am in top shape to begin with and have had enough sleep and a good meal. Then it will enhance my activities.
1 person likes this
@abhi_bangal (4934)
• Ahmednagar, India
23 Jul
I am not sure how much productive coffee is to me, but yes it deprives me of my sleep. When I say "deprives", it doesn't literally mean I am kept awake. But it's just that if I am feeling boring or sleep, a cup of coffee really makes me more active. But to me being more active doesn't mean being more productive. Hahaha... 
1 person likes this
@Orson_Kart (6656)
• United Kingdom
23 Jul
When I had to get up early in the morning for my daily commute, I had to have a strong caffeinated coffee to kickstart my day. Now I can take or leave it in the morning, depending what plans I have for the day. I can easily do without tea and coffee.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (82363)
• United States
22 Jul
I have to agree with the dawdling over that cup of coffee in the morrning. I know it helps me get rid of that morning brain fog but it doesn't make me want to jump up and do things
1 person likes this
