Coffee and Mindfulness: How to Sip with Presence
How to Practice Mindfulness Everyday: Specialty Coffee Edition
Every morning without fail, I rise to fill my red Bialetti moka pot with fresh ground beans purchased from my local roaster.
As the rich aroma begins to fill the air, I prepare to pour my first cup. I take a few deep breaths of the warm brew and sit down to settle into my favorite ritual. With each sip, notes of chocolate and caramel slowly wake up my taste buds.
I feel present. The world is still. And as I near my last sip, I often think:
“everyone’s life would be better if they combined coffee and mindfulness”
Without a doubt, this coffee ritual is my favorite part of the day for three reasons: #1. I love a slow, mindful start. #2. I love good coffee. #3. Mindfulness makes my coffee experience 10xs better.
And the best part? You can turn your coffee routine into a mindful ritual too and I’m going to show you how!
Hey there! I’m Rebecca!
While my first love is coffee, my other passion is helping people learn how to improve their well-being through mindfulness coaching.
But, first is always coffee.
Through my love of coffee and mindfulness, I’ve learned the simplest way to cultivate presence is by starting with what you love. Today, you’re going to learn how to mindfully sip your favorite brew and there’s other bonuses for you too.
Here’s what’s on today’s mindful menu:
What is mindfulness?
The benefits of mindfulness
How to practice mindfulness everyday through your coffee ritual (it could work with tea too, but why?)
Common and random questions
Other ways to learn how to practice mindfulness, everyday!
By immersing your senses fully into an experience, you can turn an ordinary moment into a meditative one that calms the mind, improves mood and helps you appreciate the little joys in life.
This coffee ritual is just one example of how to practice mindfulness everyday in a way that fits seamlessly into your routine, so let’s get into it by starting with the basics.
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present in the moment; aware of your thoughts, emotions and surroundings, but without judgment (or as I like to think of it, “without additional commentary from your mind”). It’s a time when we observe more and let go of our thoughts to fully come into our bodies and senses.
Mindfulness can be practiced in any and every activity—walking your dog, eating lunch, during conversations with friends or writing an email. The more Present you are, the more vividly you remember a moment, which creates deeper connections to the experience itself or the people involved. You’ll have better experiences with your family, friends or colleagues—it truly benefits everyone and everything
You can practice mindfulness when you’re drinking coffee with friends too!
Why You’ll Love Mindfulness: The Benefits
Mindfulness impacts every area of your life. When you’re Present, you’ll save time and energy, you’ll make less mistakes and you’re more creative. I’m sure you’ve heard it also reduces stress and anxiety next to increasing self-awareness and focus. However, here are real life examples of how mindfulness impacted the lives of my clients:
“I am calmer and more patient. I am much more in tune with my emotional state on a daily basis. I am able to manage my negative emotions more effectively. My negative self-image stopped”
“At work I don’t get stressed that easily, the quality of my sleep has significantly improved! My muscles aren’t that tense (as I’m less likely to stress out).”
"I’m more intuitive (and it’s led me to great life choices and amazing people!). I radiate better energy, I fall asleep easily and wake up more rested. I’m genuinely more happy and optimistic.”
"I feel more peace towards uncertainties, I feel more grounded and authentic in general”
“This practice trains you to become more mindful of thoughts and feelings as they come up in everyday life; validating them without letting them completely control your actions.”
“It made me a better version of myself. I now feel I have control of my life but at the same time, I don't need to be controlling others or situations. I have more confidence, and I feel I can achieve what I want in life. I feel more empowered, and more fulfilled.”
Alongside these real life examples, research shows that when we intentionally slow down and cultivate presence, we make better choices that improve our mental and emotional well-being. According to a scientific study in the National Library of Medicine:
“Mindfulness has been theoretically and empirically associated with psychological well-being. The elements of mindfulness, namely awareness and nonjudgmental acceptance of one's moment-to-moment experience, are regarded as potentially effective antidotes against common forms of psychological distress—rumination, anxiety, worry, fear, anger, and so on—many of which involve the maladaptive tendencies to avoid, suppress, or over-engage with one's distressing thoughts and emotions.”
Engaging in mindfulness activities daily like a “coffee meditation” can extend awareness into all areas of life, helping to reduce stress and increase happiness naturally. So, here’s to the next happy cup!
Enjoy a solo coffee mindfully at your favorite specialty coffee café!
Coffee and Mindfulness
A Fun Step-by-Step Guide to Drinking Your Warm Brew
If you love coffee as much as I do, you’ll love this simple step-by-step guide that’ll turn your coffee moment into a meditative and calming experience!
DON’T RUSH – Respect your coffee. Before you take the first sip, pause and remember you are mindfully drinking coffee and that this is a slow and intentional process. Hold your cup in your hands, feel its warmth and take a few deep breaths. This is a beautiful moment to practice gratitude.
ADMIRE YOUR COFEE – If you went to a café and they made you some lovely latte art, stop and take it in! Notice the details and maybe take a picture. This may sound strange, but I love to see the warm brown and crème swirls on my coffee. I can’t make latte art at home (yet) so I love to appreciate this at the cafes!
SMELL THE COFFEE – Close your eyes and inhale deeply. Notice the rich aroma and the different notes in the scent. Take a few more mindful smells. Make sure you are in tune with the moment (meaning, if your mind starts thinking thoughts not associated with your “caffeine meditation”, kindly bring attention back into your body, the senses and into what you are currently doing). Make sure your phone is out of sight and focus on the coffee!
DESCRIBE WHAT YOU SMELL – Is it nutty? Chocolatey? Earthy? By consciously noticing the scent, you heighten your awareness. If you’re with a friend, invite them to practice mindfulness with you. Together you can discuss what you smell and ask the server to confirm the characteristics. This could turn into a really interesting conversation!
TAKE A MINDFUL SIP – Drink slowly and notice the flavors on your taste buds. Feel the warmth of the liquid as it moves down your throat. I especially love a dark chocolatey, sweet caramel flavor! Is the coffee more bitter, more sweet? Floral or fruity? I often carry a journal with me and this could be a great entry in your journal to describe the flavors and overall experience.
BASK IN THE JOY – Continue drinking with embodied awareness, savoring each yummy sip as a moment for presence and gratitude. Another beautiful moment to practice gratitude is at the end of your coffee!
This simple practice can set a positive tone for the day, helping you feel more grounded and present. Small rituals like these allow us to practice mindfulness everyday, even in the busiest of schedules. You can think of this as a moment to slow down and reset. If you find yourself rushing through your coffee, you are doing it wrong and I’d suggest setting aside at least 30 minutes for this mindful experience.
When your coffee is served in a pretty cup, it makes the mindful coffee experience that much more delightful!
Common Coffee and Mindful Questions
Is coffee good for mindfulness?
If you ask me, coffee is good for everything! But in all seriousness, drinking coffee is a useful example of how easy it is to practice mindfulness in our everyday life. I especially love bringing mindfulness into what I love doing and it’s a simple way to increase your presence at the start of the day.
Can I drink coffee while I meditate?
Yes and no. I meditate with my eyes closed. Therefore, I don’t drink coffee while I meditate and I don’t recommend it. But, you could practice mindfulness while drinking coffee and that is something I definitely suggest. Also, I practice meditation before my first cup of coffee, but this is completely individual. I like to meditate first thing in the morning to set a mindful tone for the day, and then I elevate my presence even more through my mindful coffee routine!
Can coffee calm your mind?
Coffee is a stimulant and we really have to watch our daily intake. I normally have three cappuccinos in a day and I love that it makes me more alert and jump starts my morning.
However, if I go over four coffees, I start to get the jitters and that doesn’t feel nice. Moreover, if I don’t have coffee by noon, I get a slight headache.
So, while coffee doesn’t really “calm your mind”, it can make you more alert and regular consumption in appropriate amounts can keep withdrawal symptoms at bay.
Can we do meditation after tea or coffee?
Yes, definitely! This is very individual, but I do have a few suggestions. I would suggest a smaller amount of coffee before your meditation as it’s a stimulant. If your mind is too aggravated or “wired” from the coffee, it can work against your meditation. You really have to understand how different caffeine intakes affect your energy and internal state to make an appropriate decision.
Is coffee good or bad for focus?
When I drink coffee, I definitely feel more alert and awake, but not necessarily more focused. We each have a capacity for a certain amount of coffee daily and we if go beyond that, it’s counterproductive. So, this is going to be a personal choice. Personally, I like to meditate before I drink coffee. I encourage you to notice how you feel on days you meditate before you drink coffee and after, and use that as a guide.
Does caffeine make it harder to meditate?
Again, this depends on the individual and amount of caffeine, the quality of the caffeine and your caffeine capacity. I invite you pay attention to see how caffeine consumption impacts your meditations. Meditation is a practice of being deeply relaxed and highly aware and we know that caffeine is a stimulant. If we drink too much, it will affect our meditations negatively. As a meditation teacher, I would recommend against it, but I really think it’s going to be a personal choice.
When a sweet treat joins your coffee drinking experience, making it even more of a reason to be mindful!
Other Ways to Practice Mindfulness Everyday
Morning meditation – Start your day with a short guided mindfulness meditation session.
Gratitude journaling – Write down three things you’re grateful for each day.
Mindful movement – Engage in yoga or a mindful walk.
Digital detox – Reduce screen time to be present with loved ones or read a book.
Breathing exercises – Take 5 minute resets throughout the day with short breathing practices.
Savor Every Sip, While Increasing Presence
Mindfulness doesn’t have to be complicated. Even the simplest habits—like drinking coffee—can become powerful moments for cultivating presence, positive feelings and improved well-being. By incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine, you can improve your mental health and enhance your overall quality of life.
So, how do you drink your coffee?!
Next time you pick up your cup; slow down, take a deep breath and refer back to the:
“Coffee and Mindfulness Practice: A Fun Step-by-Step Guide to Drinking Your Warm Brew” to get the most from your morning routine!
Work with a Mindfulness Meditation Teacher
As a meditation teacher with 10 years experience, I make learning mindfulness simple, fun and practical. Whether you’re a beginner or want to advance your practice, I’d love to help! Book a call below or check out my meditation sessions for more details.
Rebecca Michelle | Meditation Teacher
I help women improve their well-being and coffee drinking experience through private meditation classes and mindfulness coaching.
