Written by: Liz Jones, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Let me start by saying, if you are not a coffee drinker, this post is still for you. Simply transform the idea of enjoying a cup of coffee to enjoying a cup of tea, a smoothie, even a glass of water, then use the ideas that I share with you here to bring benefits to your life.
You might also think I am crazy by saying “Have a cup of coffee to benefit your health and happiness” as there is so much out there that says caffeine is bad for you and should be avoided. Yes, having an excessive amount of caffeine is bad for you, but one cup can actually be good for you.
Caffeine can, amongst other things:
Increase alertness by allowing the brain to increase neurotransmitters like dopamine, that regulate energy levels
Reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes
It is rich in antioxidants
Can support good brain health
Lowers risk of depression
Increase physical performance and help manage weight
But there is even more than that.
As I said in the title, there are 4 ways enjoying a cup can benefit your health and happiness.
When it comes to your happiness, there are 7 healthy habits that impact your natural happiness. If you want to read more about each one, then please check out my article on Medium: https://medium.com/@lizjones_mindandbodyhouse/7-healthy-lifestyle-habits-you-want-for-happiness-and-success-d8d5708517c3
So, putting these thoughts into practice, here are 4 ways you can enjoy a cup of coffee to add benefit to your health and your happiness.
1. Think back to a time you enjoyed a cup of coffee. How you sat and held the cup, feeling it warm your hands. How the smell was so intense you could taste it even before you took a sip. Notice you can remember everything about that cup from the surrounding sounds to the view in front of you.
I remember sitting having a morning cup in front of the Matterhorn. Now, I won’t lie, it was not the best cup of coffee. But I remember the view, how warm the cup was, the smell of that cup, and how I felt in that moment – calm, content, peaceful, happy.
This is savouring a moment and can literally be done anywhere. The true power in savouring is as you slow things down, maybe even bring your busy life to a stop for a moment, you stop worrying about the ‘needs’ ‘have tos’ ‘should dos’ and everything else in your life that tells you what to do. You allow yourself to enjoy that moment.
2. Have you ever paid something forwards? This is super fun, super easy, but missed out a lot.
When you buy your cup of coffee, have you ever bought one for the person behind you? Or the next person to buy the same drink as you? In today’s busy world, there is a lot of pressure with the increase of bills, rising interest rates, and other financial pressures, that the gift of a cup of coffee can be something that transforms someone’s day.
Imagine what it would be like if it was you to receive that coffee. You stepped up to the counter to order, get your card out to pay as, let’s face it, generally you pay by cards these days, and the server says “there’s nothing to pay. The person before you already covered it”. Like it would feel ‘wow’ right?!
Kindness not only makes you feel good, the recipient does too.
3. Now, let’s share a coffee with a friend. As I shared before about my coffee looking at the Matterhorn, what you don’t know is I was sat with my friend who was on that trip skiing with me. Whenever we talk about that trip, that morning coffee (and breakfast) overlooking the mountains always comes up.
It makes us both smile and brings back fond memories of that trip. I mean, how could be forget how we both k’od within 10 minutes of each other, and a group of Irish guys helped pick us up – I truly was in a heap and had bumped my head. Thank goodness for helmets!
4. Finally, the memories can be saved with a photo. Yes, you guessed it, I have a photo of that cup of coffee in front of that window.
Here is the key question – how do you take a good photo and get lost in the moment?
It is quite easy. Don’t worry about the perfect photo, the right angle or how great it will look if you share it. The photo is for you, and a friend if you shared that moment, so it needs to spark a memory not feature in some magazine.
The power of having a smartphone these days is that you can take a couple of photos and review them all later, discarding any bad photos or ones that don’t bring you a positive memory.
Today try it. Try having a cup of coffee, or drink of your choice, and either
Savour it
Pay it forwards
Share it
Photograph it to save for later
Notice how when you give in to that moment you feel happier and, because you slowed down for a moment, you found some calm within your day.
Liz Jones, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Liz Jones is a Wellness Coach, Yoga Teacher, and Fitness Professional with over 10 years of experience, with numerous qualifications and recognized accreditations. Having worked in a wide range of environments, Liz has helped professionals, celebrities, and business leaders from around the world to transform their lives and become addicted to living that healthy lifestyle. Liz is the Founder of Mind Body House, where the aim is to help others to 'Live the healthy lifestyle they love.' She is the host of the "Ladies Go Live" talk show and podcast, aiming to connect the value of great wellbeing and your professional success.
