Have an extra cup of coffee or another can of Mountain Dew.
But while indulging, remember that March is Caffeine Awareness Month in Nebraska.
And caffeine is a substance with which nearly all college students are familiar.
Junior Sasha Denton said she frequently drank caffeinated drinks, sometimes even when she did not want to.
“I think I have one (a caffeine addiction) because I crave it and I’ll say that I won’t drink a pop…but I end up doing it anyway,” she said. “I don’t go hog wild and binge, but I definitely don’t control it like normal.”
Nebraska Gov. Dave Heinemann approved the caffeine month through a governor's proclamation, an official signing and recognition of the event, according to an Lincoln Journal Star article issue of caffeine has been addressed two other times in Nebraska through governor's proclamations.
According to the article, Nebraska’s chief medical officer said caffeine drinkers could become addicted to the substance, but when used in small amounts, it was relatively safe. It could cause sleep problems, irritability and other side effects, however.
Freshman Emily Petersen said she had a drink with caffeine in it about every other day, but she did not think she had any real addiction to it.
“I dislike coffee and I try to stay away from pop for health reasons,” she said. “I don’t usually see the need to drink caffeine.”
She said she had not experienced side effects from drinking too many or too few caffeinated beverages.
Junior Kendra Bender said she, too, enjoyed soda from time to time, but she cut back on her consumption of it after realizing how much of it she and others drank.
“I used to have it (soda) at lunch, supper and when I needed to stay awake,” she said. “Now I try only to have it at lunch or when I need to stay awake. I cut back because I know caffeine can be unhealthy for you.”
Bender said after she started drinking less soda, she noticed that caffeine had a greater effect on her body.
Kelly Jirovec, director of health and wellness, said those wishing to reduce their caffeine intake should try to do it by gradually drinking less soda, coffee and other caffeinated beverages.
“The most effective thing to do is to cut back,” she said. “Sometimes going cold turkey can have side effects, too.”
Denton said her possible addiction made it difficult to behave normally some days if she didn’t get her needed caffeine.
“I drink a lot of soda and I think the reason is because I need it,” she said. “Some days I can’t function without it.”
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