1. Getting you out of bed

Waking up to the annoying sound of my alarm in the morning is always challenging, especially when all I want to do is hit snooze and fall back asleep. Until I started adding coffee into my mornings, I found it so challenging to to get myself up out of bed and ready for the day. Knowing I get to start my morning with a cup of coffee helps wake my body up earlier and allows me to better prepare for a day of classes or work.

2. Staying productive and keeping you focused

It has been my saving grace - especially when I find myself trying to stay awake during an incredibly busy, hectic week. The natural caffeine content in coffee acts as a stimulant in the body helping you become more alert, which ultimately keeps me productive on my to do lists and assignments throughout the day. It energizes my brain to stay on task and work more efficiently.

3. Boosting your memory skills

Caffeine plays a trick on the brain by blocking receptors for a chemical in our cells called adenosine. Adenosine is what causes the body to feel drowsy and sleepy, so when this chemical is block it allows more brain-sparking chemicals to flow. This provides more energy to the brain, which ultimately improves mental performance and slows down age-related mental decline. Who would of thought a little bit of coffee could have such an amazing impact on the brain!?

4. Keeping you warm

Living in the midwest it seems like winter takes up six out of the twelve months of the year, so a warm cup of coffee is so necessary to keep you warm in the crazy below freezing temperatures! I can thank coffee for saving my cold hands walking to class the past few months :)

5. Making you smile

Have you ever had a really tough day and you know you need something to get your spirits up? For me, I usually resort to rewarding myself with a latte at a local coffee shop, as it instantly puts me in the happiest mood. Have you ever treated a friend to a coffee when they're having a hard day? It is always the sweetest little treat to help make their day a little brighter. Never underestimate the power of random acts of kindness <3

6. Pushing you to try new things

Too often I tend to 'stay within my comfort zone,' but to me that can become somewhat boring. I have started exploring various types of coffee drinks, which has caused me to find a new love for something I never thought I would enjoy. One of my most favorite types of coffee is pour-over and I would have never discovered this unless I was encouraged to try something new and different. So next time you are waiting in line at your local Starbucks, try something new off the menu - you'll never know if you love something until you try it!

7. Reducing your risk of disease

According to The American Cancer Society, coffee beans contain antioxidants in them, which help prevent cell damage and are believed to protect the body from many types of diseases. Research is still being investigated on whether or not coffee has the ability to prevent cancerous cells, but overall the natural antioxidants found in the beans have a positive effect on the body. So there's even more reason to treat yourself to a coffee every once in a while!

8. Creating life-long memories

For many coffee enthusiasts, this beverage is more than just a morning 'pick me up' out of a Keurig. Coffee has the ability to create millions of shared memories by bringing people together who have a passion for a drink enriched with history. So call up a friend you haven't seen in a while and go grab a drink at a local coffee shop. It's an amazing way to make special memories that will last forever.

Although coffee does have many benefits, like most things, when consumed too much and too often it can have harmful effects on the body. It's important to balance the amount of coffee you're drinking, while also being cautious of the sugar content that can be surprisingly high in many of the items like lattes, mochas, or macchiatos.

But let's be honest, all you need is love and a lot more coffee.

Sources-

https://www.uhs.umich.edu/caffeine

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/caffeine-healt...

https://www.cancer.org/latest-news/coffee-and-canc...