If you are my age or older, you probably remember that Adam Ant song from the early 1980’s that goes, “Don’t drink, don’t smoke. What do you do?” I remember it well for two reasons. The first is that MTV was new back then and that was a pretty early video. There was a short time when I had to go to my friend’s house to see MTV because she had cable and that was quite a big deal. I also remember it because it has described me pretty well. I don’t drink coffee, rarely drink alcohol, have never smoked a cigarette and, other than a penchant for chocolate, have lived addiction free.
While I love working out, the combination of working out each morning and getting older has led me to be very tired every afternoon lately. It’s the kind of tired that all I can think about is taking a little nap. When I do get a chance to take a little nap, it turns into an hour or more and suddenly the day is over. The kids come home from school and all I’ve managed to do is exercise, eat lunch and take a shower. Hey, I have stuff to do. While I love taking a nap, people around the house are going to start to notice that not much changes from when they leave in the morning to when they get home after work or school. This situation can’t go on, at least everyday for goodness sakes.
I was checking out at the grocery store two weeks ago, and I noticed a cooler of beverages. Inside was Sugar Free Red Bull. It called to me. It said things like, “I have only 10 little calories and I can keep you awake in the afternoon,” and, “Think how much more you could get done if you weren’t so tired.” Then, it set the hook with, ”Come on, I only have caffeine just like coffee. Everyone is doing it!” I just couldn’t take it any more. I opened the door to the cooler and it jumped right into my cart and ultimately landed in my refrigerator.
I felt a little ashamed that I bought Red Bull. This is something that I would never let my kids drink. It felt like a gateway drug to harder stuff like 5 Hour Energy and who knows what else. It sat there for a week, hidden behind more innocent refrigerator residents like ketchup and bottled water. But it was just waiting for me. It knew that it was just a matter of time. After a week, the sleepiness set in and I came looking for the Bull. I gulped it down and waited for it to kick in.
Red Bull Experiment #1 Result: One giant headache and a heart that felt like it was racing down the stretch of a 5k. I guess leading the clean and sober life has left me with a low tolerance for caffeine. I liked the taste of it, though, and secretly thought it might have potential.
Another week passed, and I really needed to get some things accomplished yesterday. You can see where this is going. I ran in the morning and didn’t sleep well the night before, so a nap was all I could think about. This time I would take a different approach. I would respect the power of the Bull. I sipped it slowly. I would take a drink, then put in a load of laundry. Take another drink, take out the trash. You get the idea.
Red Bull Experiment #2 Result: Two casseroles made, two different kinds of cookies baked, fruits and vegetables washed and cut, 6 loads of laundry folded and put away, dinner table set and dinner hot on the table when the husband got home.
So it was a success, right? In my book yes, but I am taking a little bit of flack from the rest of the family. My daughter spied the second can and thanked me sarcastically for setting such a great example. When I tried to justify it to Mike and told him that I really only drank three quarters of the can, he said, “Hey kids, mommy only took a little bit of speed!” I looked up the caffeine content, though, and it has about the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee. Rarely do I do something that I wouldn’t want my kids to do, so I’m having a little trouble not feeling a little weird about implementing Red Bull as part of my stay alert strategy. I don’t feel weird enough to not try it again when my eyes are drooping and I have a lot to get done. Hey, Shaun White drinks it and he’s a role model, right?
{ 11 comments }
Interesting that if you started drinking coffee, no one would blink. Not that I’m a Redbull fan, never tried it…but, just saying
I have never tried the Red Bull but my co-worker drinks the sugar free Rock Stars. She made me try it once and I actually liked it and drank it for maybe a few weeks. I was taking classes at the U and needed a little, “pick me up”. It served its purpose:) If you are not drinking like several cans a day it should be fine. Funny about what Mike said:) My kids would give me a hard time too! Have a great weekend Beth!
I drink caffeine (and alcohol too.) In law school I drank probably 10 cans of Diet Coke a day. I avoid Red Bull, though. And my 4th grader gives me all kinds of grief for drinking diet soda — all that artificial stuff!
A friend of mine, no joke, drinks Red Bull and Vodka. It is crazy. After a night of drinking is both wasted and wired so that he can’t sleep.
Well, I don’t think there’s a need for an intervention, but take this simple test:
You’ve built up a Red Bull tolerance: You need to use more of the Red Bull to experience the same effects you used to with smaller amounts.
You take Red Bull to avoid or relieve withdrawal symptoms: If you go too long without Red Bull, you experience symptoms such as nausea, restlessness, insomnia, depression, sweating, shaking, and anxiety.
You’ve lost control over your Red Bull use: You often do Red Bull or use more than you planned, even though you told yourself you wouldn’t. You may want to stop using, but you feel powerless.
Your life revolves around Red Bull: You spend a lot of time using and thinking about Red Bull, figuring out how to get Red Bull, and recovering from Red Bull effects.
You’ve abandoned activities you used to enjoy: such as hobbies, sports, and socializing, because of your Red Bull use.
You continue to use Red Bull, despite knowing it’s hurting you: It’s causing major problems in your life—blackouts, infections, mood swings, depression, paranoia—but you use anyway.
Maybe a little more sleep at night?
I think if the red bull is the worse thing you do, you’re setting a pretty good example for your kids.
I drink a couple cans of diet dew every day . . . I’ve tried to give it up, but just can’t. At least I’m better now than when I was in law school and drank 6 or 7 cans a day!
Seems like the greater underlying problem here is the afternoon fatigue. Like your body needs rest but instead you keep it artificially wired up. You definitely seem responsible enough not to let it become a problem but maybe your body is telling you something. How about setting an alarm for 20-30 minutes?
I have been a badboy, still just a little. You will be fine, it’s best to not keep using Red Bull or you will find you can’t stop. It’s all about the caffeine “a drug” will give you a crash. They all mean well but all have thing’s you don’t want. Are you on good women’s vitamins, may some B12 and B6, That’s the good in red bull!
I had to laugh – you are suck a deviant!!!! I have a bit of a caffeine addiction, but I have never tried red bull. I think you are fine, but work on getting more sleep at night.
Ah yes, Adam Ant…I remember Adam Ant. And I am feeling older by the second.
Coke Zero is my Red Bull.
I’ve always wondered about Red Bull, my kids kind of down-play it, as if it’s no big deal and not that strong but it seems like you are telling a different story. It’s kind of scary! More napping sounds like a great idea!
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