Although coffee is safe in moderate amounts for most people, according to the Mayo Clinic, overdoing it can cause undesirable side effects. Coffee contains caffeine, a stimulant drug that increases metabolism and other bodily functions. Too much coffee can make it hard to sleep, which leads to more exhaustion the next day. Excess caffeine can make you jittery, give you heart palpitations, make you nauseous and increase anxiety, according to Mary Marcus in her 2010 article, "Coffee's Endless Health Debate is Grounded in Fact," for USA Today. If your symptoms become severe, consult your health care provider.
Step 1
Flush your body with water. Too much coffee can lead to dehydration quickly. Drink adequate amounts of bottled or filtered water. Moderate doses of caffeine -- from 200 to 300 mg, or about 2 to 4 cups of brewed coffee a day -- are not harmful, according to the Mayo Clinic. But if you usually drink more, you may experience side effects such as dehydration.
Step 2
If you can't get by without 1 or 2 cups of regular coffee, switch to decaffeinated coffee, especially later in the day. This will prevent further harmful effects of caffeine, such as insomnia.
Step 3
Drink herbal tea instead. Drinking a cup of herbal tea, such as chamomile, has a soothing effect on the nerves and can help counteract caffeine-related anxiety. You can also try low-sugar juices or other drinks without caffeine.
Step 4
Eat a meal. While eating will not flush the caffeine out of your system, it may help settle your stomach and regulate your blood-sugar levels.
Step 5
Avoid taking more stimulants. Do not add to the problem by eating large quantities of sugar, taking diet pills -- which contain stimulants -- or drinking caffeinated sodas.
Tips and Warnings
- Stopping coffee "cold turkey" can cause caffeine-withdrawal symptoms. If you feel you are consuming too much, taper off, or switch to "half-caff."
Things You'll Need
- Filtered Water
- Decaffeinated Coffee
- Herbal Tea
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