Fight or Float – Coffee on an Empty Stomach
For a few decades I’ve been waking up and having coffee on an empty stomach. It’s never bothered me, not noticeably anyway, until this week. This week, for whatever reason, I wake up fine, and then after my morning coffee I have that raw, hurty tummy feeling.
On Monday, I blamed it on this pre-prepared spicy riced cauliflower I’d eaten the night before. On Tuesday, I suspected the bowl of potato chips I ate to soothe the sore tummy (bad idea). On Wednesday, it was the vegan scramble with perhaps too old broccoli, though Mike had eaten the same scramble with no ill effects.
By Thursday, still feeling better on awakening and becoming crampy and churny after morning coffee, I was concerned that somehow, despite best efforts, I’d gotten The Virus. “Mike, I’m really worried. I think I may have The Virus!” Long pause, no doubt trying to respect my fear while formulating a suitably reassuring response. He said, “People with abdominal pain as the primary symptom are showing up at the ER it’s so bad.” I had to admit, my pain wasn’t that bad. Plus no fever or any other symptoms. So the mystery continued.
Friday, I decided it was stress. World events, the holidays, unresolved childhood issues – of course, my stomach, the window to the soul! I decided to have a big cry and mourn this imperfect world and my imperfect self and everyone’s suffering that has been or will be or is and connect with the eternal peace of the Universe, so that my tummy would feel better. I bought another spiritual book. I cried. “That oughtta do it!” I thought.
And then yesterday, I woke up feeling good, got Brownie her morning snack, got my morning coffee, settled in for my reading and sipping. After the second sip I noticed my stomach starting to get that hurty feeling. Dangit! I love my morning coffee. Grrr. “Do I love my morning coffee more than being out of pain?” I asked myself.
Am I willing to try doing something else, even for a day, and see if I feel better? I’m scared of caffeine withdrawal headaches. I’m scared of foggy brain. I’m annoyed that what’s worked for me for so long, years, today isn’t working for me. It is what it is. Fight or Float.
This morning I woke up, and made myself some green tea. It’s not the same, but my stomach doesn’t hurt. And I’m grateful I get to figure out what’s working and what’s not and make changes to feel better. I’m gonna keep going.
www.livingeveryminuteofit.com www.combatcovidstress.com
