Drinking your morning coffee immediately after waking up might not be beneficial due to high levels of cortisol, the body's stress hormone, at that time. Sleep expert Dr Deborah Lee advises waiting at least 45 minutes after waking up to enjoy your first cup. Cortisol is naturally at its peak shortly after waking and aids in alertness and focus. Consuming coffee too early may lessen its effects and potentially lead to a tolerance over time. The best time for a caffeine boost is mid-to-late morning when cortisol levels dip. To avoid sleep disruption, Dr Lee suggests avoiding caffeine at least six hours before bedtime and cutting off all caffeine intake by 15:00.
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