I’m not talking about a bubbly personality, I’m talking about a bubbly beverage! It’s already late summer, which means it’s time for another Sparkling Detox–a yearly event where we drink only Gerolsteiner Sparkling Mineral Water in place of other beverages. I would have a hard time cutting out my morning cup of tea if I tried this alone, but there’s an awesome community of support.

My name is Hannah and I’m a tea addict; I drink 3-5 cups of caffeinated tea each day, and I am completely dependent on that caffeine. It makes my life more complicated…if I haven’t had enough caffeine, I get a raging headache that only caffeine can fix. Caffeine is a drug, and if you are dependent on it, you experience symptoms of withdrawal. Crazy right? While I think this is a a generally harmless vice, it still frustrates me.
I am excited to simplify my life again and take a short hiatus from tea to see how I cope with weaning myself off caffeine and drinking a more simple, hydrating drink—Gerolsteiner Sparkling Mineral Water. I will keep my Excedrin migraine handy in case of emergency, but I hope it won’t be necessary.
My schedule has been changing with my new job—I wake up a bit earlier and need to go to bed much earlier than I have been. Caffeine messes with our body’s natural energy levels, which can be helpful, but might be part of my trouble with falling asleep.
I felt dehydrated for a few days while traveling in Peru–you have to drink bottled water and bathrooms aren’t always available so my liquid intake was definitely less than usual. You can really feel a difference–I had more headaches, less energy, more muscle fatigue, and didn’t feel quite like myself. One morning, I even felt dizzy after getting up–and I’m fairly certain it’s because I was not drinking enough.

I think some people live their whole lives this way and don’t know; it’s not always easy to know if you’re well hydrated. When I played sports, my coach told me I should have to go to the bathroom every hour (when running outside on a hot summer day). Now that seems excessive, but if I don’t leave my desk all morning I take it as a sign that I’m skimping on my water so I make sure to be more mindful. Getting up often, even if for a short walk to the bathroom, is also so important for our health! Research shows that getting up for five minutes every hour can have a positive effect for those of us stuck at a desk all day–another reason to drink more and go on more bathroom breaks. With Gerolsteiner Sparkling Mineral Water, it will be easy to keep tabs on how much I’m drinking, and it will be much easier because we all know bubbles are just more fun! Plus, it packs a punch of nutrition with Calcium and Magnesium. Calcium is crucial for strong bones and Magnesium supports muscle and nerve function.

I’ll keep you updated on my journey to reduce caffeine, simplify my life, and feel more hydrated! Want to join me in the Sparkling Detox? Join the challenge at: https://goo.gl/LtsKQ7 (Enter code “HANNAH18”)
When you sign up, you also enter for a chance to win a free case of Gerolsteiner Sparkling Mineral Water!