A growing shift toward low- and no-caffeine living is reshaping café culture as more people ditch traditional coffee for gentler options. Shops are expanding their menus with drinks like hojicha, barley tea, and matcha, reflecting a broader desire for calmer, less anxiety-inducing energy sources.
The trend mirrors recent declines in alcohol use as people prioritize health, nervous-system regulation, and steadier moods. While cafés continue experimenting with new offerings, experts caution that sourcing and cultural respect matter too. For many, this emerging movement signals a longing for slower, steadier days — and the freedom to choose what truly serves their well-being.
As more people step back from the jittery pace caffeine encourages, how might we also examine the rhythms that keep our souls restless—and choose habits that lead us toward God’s peace rather than toward hurry?
I might be the oddball out, but I've never had coffee. Not even a sip. Why? Two reasons. Number one: I'm already an incredibly anxious person. Even one sip of pop or a beverage with a small dose of caffeine sets me over the edge. I feel a "buzz," tired, and jumpy. Number two: I really like my white teeth. Someone told me when I was little that drinking coffee would stain my teeth. I've never tested the theory to see if it's true, but here I am.
As funny as my reasons are for not drinking coffee, it seems that a similar shift in café culture is occurring. With the rise of "decaf-curious" consumers, people who aren't anti-coffee but are more intentional, we're seeing an increase in broader wellness movements. Suddenly, a society once driven by Starbucks mochas and Dunkin' ice lattes is invested in nervous-system regulation, mental health awareness, and drinking less. This isn't about moralizing caffeine or beloved coffee drinks, but listening to our bodies better. And this has got me thinking:
What does our longing for calmer energy say about the pace we've been living at?
Why This Moment Matters
Despite passing health trends and fads, gentler living is gaining traction now. Why? Because we're a burnout culture living on the edge of anxiety, overstimulation, and hustle. And it's all packaged neatly as "sustainable living." The truth is, it's now being rebranded as the truth: "unsustainable and draining."
While drinks like coffee aren't solely to blame for our culture's state, experts agree it doesn't help. According to UCLA Health, caffeine, commonly found in coffee, blocks your ability to relax, triggers your "fight or flight" response, and increases the risk of anxiety for most people.
In response to facts like these, companies are sourcing healthier matcha, hojicha, and similar products. But, not without concerns around cultural respect and ethical sourcing. These cafés are merely mirroring cultural desire for change. Not just in their drinks, but the permission to truly rest and slow down that they're craving.
The world might not agree, but Scripture has long spoken to these rhythms of rest long before caffeine drinks made us realize something wasn't quite right. And that leads us to compare restless rhythms with God's peace.
Restless Rhythms vs God's Peace
Throughout the Bible, many themes explore God's invitation to live at a slower and more intentional pace. In Psalm 46:10, we're offered rest. In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus offers us a gentle rhythm to live by. In Exodus 20 and Mark 2:27, the Sabbath is seen as a gift, not an optional habit or restriction for the elite.
Friends, I'm not here to say that caffeine is the devil or evil. It isn't. But constant stimulation and overstimulation can quietly train us to live disconnected from stillness—from the lives God created us for from the beginning. Many of us struggle to get out of these places. We're so consumed by anxiety, fear, and the go, go, go that we struggle to live. And yet, Jesus still offers us hope. How do I know this?
Because our God meets us even in our exhaustion, and slowing down can be reframed as spiritual attentiveness, not productivity loss.
If you're looking to embrace a better, more meaningful way of life amidst the grain, here are a few practical reflections I'd encourage:
1. Notice the rhythms that currently shape your mornings or evenings. Are you stressed? Overwhelmed? How can you simplify these routines and invite the Lord into these moments?
2. Ask yourself: "Where do I feel rushed before the day even begins?" Is your mind filled with to-dos? Are you nervous or fearful? Take time to journal or talk to the Lord about these concerns. You could also try making a list at the beginning or end of your day.
3. Evaluate your heart. Are you fueling yourself out of need, or out of the fear of slowing down? If you're operating in overdrive because of the fear of slowing down, try starting your day with five minutes of silence. Ask the Lord to speak to you, clear your heart, and align your tasks for the day with His.
Here are some additional gentle practices you might also find helpful:
* Choose one slow ritual to start or end your day. For example, drink hot tea, pray in silence, go on a walk, or journal before you get out of bed.
* Allowing yourself to rest and take breaks without guilt or shame.
* Practice being present instead of living to produce, especially during quiet moments. For example, if you're riding in the car, talk to the person driving, or look outside the window. When you're standing in line, don't pull out your phone.
While these practices aren't foolproof, they are invitations. An invitation to slow down and live more intentionally. There's no expectation or judgment here, just a simple plea to consider living a gentler life.
God's peace isn't something we manufacture, but something we receive. And you and I are created to receive it overflowing and without measure. But we must be willing to slow down, pause, and listen if we wish to receive and embrace it. Gentler living is possible, but it's going to take some work. Not out of condemnation, but curiosity.
What if the slowing we're craving isn't about what we remove, but about who we make room for? What if pausing allows us to hear what we've been waiting for all along?
A Prayer for a Fulfilling Life
Dear Jesus,
Caffeine or not, you desire us to live a rich and fulfilling life. One not driven by anxiety, fear, or overstimulation, but peace, love, and joy. When we're tempted to overflow our cup with too many things, remind us that you desire our presence. Ground us in your peace, discernment, and presence, and enable us to see the slower rhythms of life you have for us. Thank you for meeting us in ordinary moments, and please give us your wisdom in choosing paces for our lives that nurture body, mind, and soul. We love, praise, and thank you, Jesus.
Amen.
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/fizkes
.webp)