How Your Coffee Ritual Can Help Support Mental Wellbeing

Coffee has become more than just a beverage—it’s a daily ritual that helps people ease into their day. Research has found that 76% of Americans drink coffee daily.^[1] People seem to enjoy the comfort of the routine as much as the coffee itself—the serene sounds of brewing, the rich aroma filling the air and the unbeatable taste of that first sip.

Sure, that familiar taste has a lot to do with it, not to mention feeling awake enough to take on the day. But there’s another reason people look forward to their morning brew: coffee may may help with stress.^[2] How about that for the average Joe?

Read on to discover how your daily cup can become a powerful self-care ritual to feel better.

Can Drinking Coffee Help with Stress?

In moderate amounts, caffeine help with mood, alertness and energy. Caffeine is a nervous system stimulant that activates the release of several hormones, such as dopamine (the feel-good hormone) and cortisol (the stress hormone).^[3]

While cortisol gets a bad rep for being linked to stress , it’s not all bad. When balanced properly, it helps regulate blood pressure and blood sugar levels and even supports mood and energy.^[4]

A 2023 study examined the relationship between coffee and a healthy mental state. They assessed the coffee habits of over 146,000 participants and found that those who drank two to three cups of coffee a day had the lowest risk of developing mood concerns.^[5]

Staying within your caffeine limit is key to reaping the benefits of caffeine. While moderate consumption can boost calm and focus, too much can tip the scale, leading to nervousness, jitters, and restlessness. For some people, especially those sensitive to caffeine, it may trigger the adrenal glands to release excess cortisol. This spike can activate a mild fight-or-flight response, causing symptoms like a rapid heartbeat, jitters and restlessness.^[6]

To ditch the crash (but keep benefits flowing), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends no more than 400mg of caffeine (about 2 to 3 standard 12-ounce cups of coffee) daily.^[7]

Enhanced Coffee for Brain Benefits

If you want your morning cup to work harder, skip the extra espresso shot and upgrade to enhanced coffee. It’s everything you love about your morning brew, only it has functional ingredients to support mind and body.

BulletproofTM has an enhanced coffee lineup with the perfect blend of flavor and function. Plus, they’re so delicious, you’d never guess they have functional ingredients from nature in every sip.†

Here are two enhanced coffees with brain-boosting benefits to help you sip smarter.

The High Achiever™

With additions like B Vitamins, Lion’s Mane and Coffeeberry®, this enhanced coffee gives you the energy, focus and brain power to conquer your to-do list.

• Lion’s Mane :This edible mushroom is a nootropic that supports brain function so that you can stay sharp and focused.†
• B Vitamins:100% of your recommended daily dose of B vitamins will give you energy that lasts well beyond your morning coffee.†
• Coffeeberry®: This natural source of caffeine will give you a pick-me-up and help you stay focused when you need it the most.†

The Enlightener

Our newest enhanced coffee is crafted with L-theanine, panax ginseng and gingko biloba to fuel your day with clean energy, focus and mental clarity.

• L-Theanine: This amino acid pairs perfectly with caffeine to support cognitive performance and help you feel more alert and on your game.†
• Panax Ginseng: Traditionally used for centuries, this variety of ginseng can help keep your attention on the task at hand.†
• Gingko Biloba: This natural source of antioxidants comes from the oldest living tree species and may help memory and concentration.†

The Power of Your Coffee Ritual

Your morning coffee ritual can become a grounding form of self-care. Just imagine for a moment the aroma of fresh coffee beans filling the air as you brew your favorite coffee.

You pour a cup and settle into your favorite chair. Or maybe you sip outside to catch the sunrise. As you sip mindfully, you slow down, savoring the moment.

This is the power of the coffee ritual. Luckily for coffee lovers, the feel-good vibes are backed by science. A study found that even the aroma of roasted coffee can have calming effects in stressful situations, such as dental anxiety. For the study, researchers divided participants into two groups: one inhaled the aroma of roasted coffee during their dental treatment, while the other inhaled a non-coffee aroma.

Researchers then measured key stress markers, including pulse rate and salivary cortisol levels. The result? Those who smelled the coffee aroma had lower stress levels and a calmer heart rate.^[8] Moral of the story: Rather than waking up and smelling the rose, consider waking up and smelling the coffee instead.

When it comes to the benefits of coffee, alertness and energy usually take center stage. If you want to take the benefits to the next level, add enhanced coffee to your routine. The added functional ingredients help your morning coffee do more, such as supporting focus and providing steady energy without crashing.

Small shifts make a huge difference in perking up your cozy coffee ritual. Start by slowing down, being mindful and romanticizing the process. For example, use your favorite mug and enjoy coffee with good company and conversation. Most importantly, choose clean, high-quality coffee you can feel good about.