Your Body Has a Natural Alarm Clock. Is Your Coffee Getting in the Way?
There’s nothing like that first sip of coffee in the morning. It’s the moment the world comes into focus. For years, my day started the same way: eyes barely open, kettle on, coffee brewed by 6:30 AM sharp. It was automatic, like brushing my teeth or checking my phone before getting out of bed.
But a few weeks ago, one of our longtime customers, Rachel, sent me a link with the subject line:
"We’ve been doing it wrong."
The article? A breakdown of why drinking coffee too early might actually be a mistake (source).
Apparently, right after waking up, our bodies are already naturally producing high levels of cortisol, that stress hormone that helps us feel alert. When you drink coffee during that cortisol peak (roughly 6:30–8:30 AM), it doesn’t just dull coffee’s energizing effects, it can also mess with your internal rhythm and increase tolerance over time.
My mind was blown. Had my sacred coffee ritual actually been sabotaging me?
The “Coffee Delay” Experiment
I decided to give it a shot. Instead of brewing my usual cup at sunrise, I pushed it to around 9:30 AM. Not gonna lie—the first couple of days felt weird. Like something was missing. But by day three, something shifted.
I was still waking up just fine, thanks to my body’s natural cortisol. And when 9:30 AM hit? That first sip of our Morning Kick blend was like flipping on a light switch—energizing, comforting, and somehow better than usual. I was more focused, less jittery, and my energy carried further into the afternoon.
And guess what? Rachel said the same thing. "I actually get more done now with less coffee," she told me. That’s a win-win in our book.
So, When Should You Drink Your Coffee?
If you want to get the most out of your daily brew (and avoid the dreaded afternoon crash), most experts suggest waiting until 9:30 to 11:00 AM, when your cortisol levels begin to dip and caffeine can actually boost your energy instead of overlapping with it.
This small shift can make a big difference, especially if you're someone who:
Drinks multiple cups to “feel” the effects
Crashes early in the afternoon
Has trouble sleeping even when your last cup was hours ago
Delaying your first cup helps you reset your natural rhythm and really enjoy the coffee ritual, not just rush through it.
What Our Community Is Saying
After posting about this in our Win Win Coffee email newsletter, we got dozens of replies (and since our blog doesn’t allow comments, this is where we hear the magic).
One subscriber, Ben from Chicago, wrote:
“I shifted my coffee time to 10 AM and paired it with a mid-morning walk. Game-changer. It feels like I’m drinking coffee with purpose instead of just surviving the morning.”
And Emily from North Carolina told us:
“I used to chug my coffee while checking emails at 7 AM. Now I wait until my toddler’s naptime around 10:30, and I actually enjoy it. It’s become my moment of peace.”
It’s amazing how such a small change can create a more mindful, energizing experience.
Try This: The Win Win Morning Flow
If you’re curious about trying your own “coffee delay,” here’s a simple rhythm you can follow:
6:30–8:00 AM – Hydrate with water or herbal tea
8:00–9:00 AM – Move your body or get sunlight if possible
9:30 AM – Brew your Win Win Coffee (we recommend our Elevate or Harmony blends for a balanced energy lift)
9:30–10:00 AM – Sip slowly, journal, or use it as a work break
Making coffee part of your mid-morning ritual instead of your wake-up crutch can completely transform the way it supports your day.
More Than Just a Cup
At Win Win Coffee, we believe coffee isn’t just a drink, it’s a ritual. It’s an anchor in your day. A quiet moment. A shared conversation. A personal pause. That’s why we’re always experimenting, listening to our customers, and sharing these stories.
Coffee isn’t one-size-fits-all. But when you tune into your body, and pair it with the right roastyou start to create habits that work for you instead of against you.
So, if you’ve ever felt like your morning brew wasn’t hitting quite right, maybe the fix isn’t a stronger cup.
Maybe it’s just a later one.
☕✨
Here’s to brewing smarter and sipping better together.
