Book Nook - Good Daughtering: The Work You’ve Always Done, the Credit You’ve Never Gotten, and How to Finally Feel Like Enough

 Imagine a world where the invisible labor of adult daughters is finally seen, valued, and celebrated. Written by communication expert Allison M. Alford, PhD, her new book, GOOD DAUGHTERING: The Work You’ve Always Done, the Credit You’ve Never Gotten, and How to Finally Feel Like Enough (On Sale: February  17, 2026), shines a light on the emotional, mental, and relational labor that sustains families, and offers women the groundbreaking tools to reclaim their agency, redefine their roles, and create healthier, more fulfilling family connections. 

For far too long, the work of daughters has gone unnoticed. They call, they plan, they soothe, they hold families together—and yet, they often go to sleep each night wondering if it’s enough. Allison’s ten years of research and hundreds of interviews finally reveal a truth that’s been hiding in plain sight: daughtering is hard work and it’s time we had the language to talk about it.

 

GOOD DAUGHTERING is a compassionate and transformative guide for women navigating the “messy middle” of family dynamics. Packed with practical tools like checklists, writing prompts, and scripts for difficult conversations, this book empowers daughters to set boundaries, improve communication, and manage their emotional resources. Allison also introduces innovative strategies and provides actionable advice to help women balance their roles without losing themselves.

 

But frankly, this isn’t just a book about personal growth—it’s a cultural call to action. Conversations around the #eldestdaughter phenomenon are gaining momentum on social media and GOOD DAUGHTERING is poised to become a cornerstone of this cultural shift. By validating the feelings of burnout, frustration, and resentment that often accompany the role of daughtering, Allison connects individual experiences to a broader societal conversation about gender, family, and invisible labor. She challenges readers to see daughtering not as a burden, but as an active performance they can shape, empowering them to demand the gratitude and balance they deserve.

I had a chance to interview Allison to learn more.

 How would you describe the “work” of good daughtering that often goes unseen in families?

Good daughtering is the quiet, behind-the-scenes work many women do in their family without realizing it counts as work at all. It’s remembering everything, worrying ahead of time, smoothing things over, and being the emotional “go-to” in your family. It’s the phone calls and event planning, and preventing arguments over stuff that would make everyone upset. It’s the mental load of checking in, anticipating needs, keeping relationships running, and carrying feelings that aren’t even yours. Most of this doesn’t show up on a to-do list, but it takes real time and energy. And more adult daughters are doing this work while also juggling their careers, partners, and kids. That’s why so many moms feel tired even when they’re not “doing” anything obvious. They’re doing emotional work that no one else sees. While you might have heard of the mental and emotional load where it comes to marriage, motherhood, and your own household, many women are unaware of how much they give to their extended families, too. 

What’s one piece of practical advice readers might be nervous to try?

Try saying a small boundary out loud. Even if it’s just to yourself at first. Think of something you don’t want to do anymore and then say out loud that you are going to stop doing it. It’s like a verbal commitment to yourself. Many women worry that setting limits with a parent will seem selfish or unkind. But you can start by practicing the words in your own space. Maybe say to out loud in your closet something like: “I can help this weekend, Dad, but not during the week.” While it may feel a little silly talking to an empty room, saying your decision out loud helps your brain believe it’s allowed. You don’t have to be dramatic about it or get the words perfectly right, but speaking them will create the boundary into existence. Small, clear boundaries are one of the best ways to protect your energy, especially when so much of it is already going toward caring for young kids.

What’s the biggest shift you hope readers make in how they think about being a daughter?

I want women to understand that being a “good daughter” does not mean always putting themselves last.

So many women learn early in life that love equals sacrifice. And while that can be true some of the time, it’s not a sustainable paradigm to go through a long life with. Especially when you’re raising kids, you see that mindset becomes exhausting fast. Instead, think of it this way: You can care deeply about your parents and care about yourself. Being a good daughter doesn’t mean doing everything, fixing everything, or carrying everything. This small but important shift is realizing that your worth isn’t measured by how much you give. Healthy daughtering includes limits, rest, and recognizing that you matter too—not just as a mom, but as a person. 

Dr. Allison Alford is a clinical associate professor in the Department of Information Systems and Business Analytics. She holds a PhD in Communication Studies with a concentration in Interpersonal Communication from The University of Texas at Austin. Alford has 20 years’ experience teaching university courses and her specialties are value propositions, conflict resolution techniques, teamwork, meeting facilitation and people-skills for leaders. Alford is active in the Association for Business Communication and National Communication Association.

Alford owns and operates the coaching and consulting firm, Good Talk Communication Consulting. As a communication coach, Alford has worked with professionals and MBA students in the fields of engineering, tech, publishing, human resources, sales, finance and more. She believes anyone can improve their communication skills with effort and energy.

Alford’s research and publications are focused on the topics of women, adult daughtering, work-family balance, and invisible labor. 

You can check out more of Allison’s content on her Instagram, as well as her essay for Oprah Daily about how daughters can successfully survive the holidays: https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/relationships-love/a69529084/adult-daughter-holiday-stress/

MORE ONLINE:

Daughtering 101 website

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Facebook

LinkedIn

Substack

Psychology Today

 

Book Nook - The Countess and the Nazis

 The Countess and the Nazis, published by Lyons Press, is set for release on February 18, 2025. This extraordinary biography tells the story of Muriel White Seherr-Thoss—a Gilded Age American heiress who transformed her privilege into a weapon against tyranny, ultimately becoming a fierce Nazi resistance fighter.

Richard Jay Hutto draws on never-before-published memoirs and declassified CIA documents to resurrect Muriel’s incredible journey. As the daughter of a revered American diplomat and wife to a Prussian count, Muriel moved seamlessly among Europe’s elite until the specter of Nazism cast its long shadow. Faced with unspeakable evil, she leveraged her aristocratic connections to secure escape routes for Jewish families, mentored emerging royalty like the future Queen Geraldine of Albania, and ultimately sacrificed everything to protect her children from Hitler’s regime.

You can learn more in this interview.

What drove wealthy American women like Muriel to seek marriages with European aristocrats, and how did their families justify spending vast fortunes to secure these alliances?

 

New money in New York City and in other industrial U.S. cities – considered “tainted” -  was not accepted by the old guard and social elite. Very often the ambitious wives, finding the doors closed to them in the U.S., would take their daughters abroad where so many titled young men were in desperate need of cash to replenish their family coffers and maintain large and expensive homes. There were a few “love matches” but most of these marriages were merely exchanges of money for titles. Muriel’s marriage fell outside the usual formula as her socially prestigious family, while also wealthy, did not have the resources of the Astors and Vanderbilts (although Muriel’s step-mother was a granddaughter of Commodore Vanderbilt). Muriel, however, was worldly, attractive, well-read and articulate in several languages. Those assets opened doors to her that would have been closed to many of her colleagues. In the end, her fortune did, indeed, pay for the complete renovation of two of her husband’s family castles and the payment for their servants.

 

Why did many aristocratic and wealthy Germans support Hitler, and how did these political leanings impact personal loyalties and relationships within high society?

 

When the monarchy and titled nobility in German were abolished as legally defined classes in 1918 and 1919, triggered by Germany’s defeat in World War I, many aristocratic Germans merely wanted to find a way to return to their old privileged ways of life. Many believed that Hitler, with his retinue of titled staff and supporters, would re-introduce the aristocracy and return to them their privileges. He was very clever at making them believe their assumption and most thought that the Kaiser’s son would be placed upon his father’s throne.

 

How did institutional decisions—such as the Catholic Church denying Muriel a second Protestant ceremony—and the loss of wealth among American expatriates affect her ability to navigate these turbulent times?

Muriel’s husband’s family was greatly diminished by Germany’s defeat in World War I. Her father, while U.S. Ambassador to Italy, had angered the conservative wing of the Catholic church and they made sure his daughter was allowed only one marriage service and that one would be Catholic. While embarrassing, that 1909 incident did not cause lasting harm to her prestige. However, once her husband’s family was greatly dispossessed of their privileges in 1919, her new name and family were no longer advantageous outside their narrowing milieu of friends and acquaintances. Once her income was cut off by the U.S. Congress, who took away access to the fortunes of American wives of foreigners who had been at war with the U.S., she was placed in an impossible position of feeding, clothing, and housing not only her husband’s family but all their servants as well. She made a valiant effort to do so while making sure she did everything she could for many others, most of whom were barely known to her. If the German government had not confiscated her newly-reissued American passport (and even the knowledge that it had been received) two years before her death, she should have been free to leave Germany at any time, joining her three children and their families in the U.S.

About the Author:

Richard Jay Hutto served as White House Appointments Secretary to the Carter family and was chairman of the Georgia Council for the Arts. One of the foremost historians of the Gilded Age, he is the author of Crowning Glory: American Wives of Princes and Dukes, and Their Gilded Cage: The Jekyll Island Club Members. A frequent international lecturer, his book A Peculiar Tribe of People: Murder and Madness in the Heart of Georgia was adapted for television—the Atlanta Journal-Constitution described it as “a southern grotesque that comes complete with stately mansions, murder most vile, forbidden sex, a pot-boiling trial and a denouement worthy of a Greek tragedy [with] an ending that even Sophocles wouldn't wish on his worst enemy” (November 3, 2010). He is also a regular contributor to Royalty Digest Quarterly. Check out Rick's website @ www.rickhutto.com and the book site at www.TheCountess.net - You can also get social with Rick on Facebook.

Music Minute - Two New Songs from Joanna Bronson

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 Canadian country-folk artist Joanna Bronson steps into the spotlight with two stirring singles that capture the emotional landscape of small-town life and love. "Highway 28," and "Norwood," both out now, mark the arrival of a songwriter whose voice feels both timeless and deeply personal. These tracks offer the first glimpse into Bronson's forthcoming debut album ‘Highway 28,’ slated for release in March 2026, a collection that serves as an intimate love letter to her hometown and the roads that shaped her.

Recorded with acclaimed East Coast musician and producer J.P. Cormier in his studio outside Halifax, the album showcases Bronson's gift for emotional honesty and grounded, roots-driven storytelling. Cormier—a lifelong musical hero of Bronson's—played all additional instruments, and handled the mixing and mastering, building a sonic world around songs Bronson recorded exactly as she wrote them: just her voice, her guitar, and the stories she needed to tell. The collaboration represents a significant milestone in Bronson's artistic development, with the result being a record that sounds the way these songs were always meant to be heard - warm, intimate, and achingly real.

"At its core, this record is a love letter to my hometown," Bronson reflects. "Every song began with something real - a feeling, a conversation, or a moment that actually happened." The album explores acceptance, memory, and the quiet wondering of what might have been, written from the perspective of time and distance when the heart has had space to heal and reflect, beautifully portrayed in the title track “Highway 28".  Holding both reflection and a wishing-well curiosity for the life that almost was. "Norwood" takes listeners down a different road exploring different aspects of letting love back in. Together, the songs create a small-town world of love and loss - the kind of places that never really let go of their memories.

The recording process itself became a defining moment in Bronson's journey. "Hearing J.P sing harmony on Norwood for the first time was a moment I'm not sure I'll ever top," she shares. The organic approach - Bronson laying down her vocals and guitar parts while Cormier built the instrumentation around them - resulted in an honest, intimate record that honors the songs' original essence while elevating them with nuanced production. Each track maintains the story-forward authenticity that has become Bronson's signature, rooted in the kind of lived experience that connects with audiences on a deeply human level.

Over the past three years, Bronson has honed her craft performing alongside her father and fellow entertainer Danny Bronson. The duo has connected with audiences at local venues, jamborees, and headline performances including the Millbrook Fall Festival, building a reputation for intimate, story-forward shows. Her work has garnered attention from YourTV, where she appeared on Making Music and The Skinny to discuss her music and creative process. With a growing regional presence and a commitment to authentic songwriting, Bronson is establishing herself as an emerging voice in the Canadian country-folk scene, equally at home on small stages and festival lineups.

Bronson's songwriting carries additional significance as she draws from relationships and experiences that lend her work a distinct sense of perspective and offers authentic LGBTQ+ representation to the country-folk genre. Her approach to storytelling is universal in its emotional resonance while remaining deeply personal and true to her lived experience. This authenticity extends beyond subject matter - it's woven into every aspect of her artistry, from the vulnerability in her vocal delivery to the careful attention she pays to each lyrical detail. The songs on ‘Highway 28’ invite listeners into a world where honesty and heart create the kind of connection that transcends genre boundaries.

With "Highway 28" and "Norwood" paving the way, Bronson is building a body of work that celebrates the kind of songs that bring people together. Whether on stage or in the writing room, she continues to grow her craft and share her journey - one song, one story, and one listener at a time. The full album ‘Highway 28’ promises to be a defining statement from an artist who captures the quiet beauty and raw honesty of life in small towns, weaving heartfelt stories that resonate long after they're heard.

Music MInute - Laurie Berkner: Cinco Canciones En Español

 ¡Bienvenidos, niños y familias! On March 20, 2026, beloved children's musician Laurie Berkner will release Cinco Canciones En Español, an EP of Spanish language versions of some of her most popular songs.

Whether kids and parents are native speakers or language learners, they’ll love joining Laurie and her band on “Esperando El Elevador” (“Waiting For The Elevator”), “Mi Conejito Brinca” (“My Bunny Goes Hop”), “A-B-C En Español (The Spanish Alphabet Song)", “Somos Los Dinosaurios” (“We Are The Dinosaurs”), and  “Escucha Los Sonidos” (“Listen To The Sounds”).

“I'm thrilled to be releasing my first EP of original songs, sung entirely in Spanish!" says Laurie Berkner. “It's so important to me to be able to reach as many kids as I can with my music, and of course, translating them into Spanish is another great way to connect with even more kids and families. I hope that between marching and roaring, learning the Spanish alphabet, or just listening to their own heartbeats, each child who listens finds something in these songs to connect with, and something to learn.”

Cinco Canciones En Español will be available digitally on iTunes and Amazon Digital, and on Laurie's website HERE.

ABOUT LAURIE BERKNER:

Recognized as “the queen of kids’ music” by People magazine, Laurie Berkner is a singer, songwriter, lyricist, author, and founder of Two Tomatoes Records, LLC. With more than 1.7 billion total streams, an average of more than 22 million monthly streams, more than 578 million YouTube channel views, and millions of albums, songs, and DVDs sold, Laurie’s songs have become beloved classics for children worldwide.

Laurie has authored several picture books based on her songs and has created two Laurie Berkner’s Song and Story Kitchen series with Audible Studios, who released them as 10-chapter audio books through the Audible Originals brand. She has written the music and lyrics for three children’s musicals originally produced Off-Broadway by New York City Children’s Theater and now presented regionally. Laurie has performed at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and the White House, among many other prestigious venues. She is prominently featured in the children's music documentary, Happy and You Know It, directed by Penny Lane, which debuted in December 2025 on HBO and is available to stream on HBO Max.

What sets Laurie apart? She displays an instinctive understanding of children’s natural rhythms and energy, which keeps kids enraptured and brings parents and caregivers happily along for the ride. Laurie finds inspiration in her audience.  “I want to create songs that matter for children,” she says.  “I was singing once and saw a four-year-old girl shut her eyes and start swaying to the music.  I thought, ‘That’s the reason I got into music.’  It keeps me wanting to do more.”

Laurie Berkner Performance Highlights February - August 2026

Feb. 21 - Fort Lauderdale, FL - The Parker

Feb. 22 - Atlanta, GA - Atlanta Symphony Hall

March 22 - Princeton, NJ - McCarter Theatre Center

March 28 - Rutland, VT - Paramount Theatre VT

March 29 - Albany, NY - The Egg

April 11 - East Greenwich, RI - Greenwich Odeum

April 12 - Beverly, MA - The Cabot

April 25 - San Antonio, TX - Charlene McCombs Empire Theatre

April 26 - Dallas, TX - Majestic Theatre

May 3 - Peekskill, NY - Paramount Hudson Valley

May 16 - San Francisco, CA - Palace of Fine Arts

May 17 - Los Angeles, CA - The Autry in Griffith Park

June 13 - Columbia, SC - Koger Center for the Arts

July 11 - Toronto, ON - Queen Elizabeth Theatre

July 12 - Detroit, MI - Royal Oak Music Theatre

Aug. 2 - Bloomington, IL - Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts

Aug. 23 - Boulder, CO - Boulder Theater

Music Minute - Blake Whiten: Break Me

 

Today, 21-year-old South Carolina native Blake Whiten returns with an anthem for anyone who's answered that late-night call from an ex with “Break Me,” out now via Enchntmnt / Warner Records. Listen HERE and watch HERE. The slow-burning single embraces the messy truth of, as Whiten puts it, trying “to put an old flame out with gasoline,” and arrives just before he makes his debut on the Grand Ole Opry stage on Valentine's Day.   “At the time, I really wanted to write the hardest, saddest breakup song,” shares Whiten. “Something that feels like knowing better, but still asking that person to come back and wreck your life just one more time. I think that feeling got across with this one. You can feel the sadness in this song, and if Valentine's Day isn't exactly your holiday this year, this one's for you.”   LISTEN: “BREAK ME”   After stepping into the coveted circle, Whiten hits the road on Bailey Zimmerman's Different Night Same Rodeo arena tour, kicking off February 19 in Estero, Fla. After hitting some of North America's largest fairs and festivals this summer, he'll embark on Morgan Wallen's Still The Problem stadium tour, with stops at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. and Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pa.    Tickets and additional information HERE.    With such grit and gravitas, it's no wonder Whiten was tapped as Pandora's 2026 Country Artist to Watch, joining recognition from Country Now for “Country Next: 10 Artists To Watch In 2026,” stating he's “making waves as one of country music's brightest rising stars and helping shape the next generation of the genre.” He's been steadily unveiling that vision single by single — most recently with “Night N' Day,” an ode to opposites attracting with a sound that'd be right at home around a campfire or in an arena.    Before that came not only Whiten's down-bad anthem “Hard to Break,” but also the release of the full-band version of “Rollin' Stone.” Across 12 months of momentum, that slow-burn hit truly caught fire, blazing its way onto SiriusXM's The Highway as well as marquee playlists like Spotify's Hot Country and Apple Music's Country Risers. Since its debut, the song has racked in over 94 million global streams and fueled Whiten's headlining Rollin' Stone Tour.   Whiten only announced his signing to Warner Records in June with the release of “Made for Goodbyes,” which All Country News praised as “a gut-wrenching, emotionally scorched ballad that wastes no time proving why Nashville's watching him closely.” He was also selected as one of “10 Country and Americana Artists You Need to Know” by Holler, who called Whiten's sound “a distinctly southern blend of smoky country rock with just enough mainstream country production touches for it to perfectly complement any contemporaries.”   After learning guitar from his dad, Whiten built a loyal following by uploading covers of current hits and classics, racking in over 9M TikTok views and 40K creates. Whiten then turned his attention to original music and found immediate success with “Rollin' Stone” and “Breakin' My Heart.” He also co-wrote Zimmerman's 2024 single “Holding On” before rolling into 2025 with the arrival of his hometown-themed Six Mile EP and the single “Carolina.”    Whiten has since appeared at CMA Fest and in support of acts like Arkansas country riser Waylon Wyatt, Texas outfit Whiskey Myers and Nashville singer-songwriter Vincent Mason. As the sharp-edged storyteller enters his next chapter, Whiten continues to scale quickly — without softening the edge that got him here.   FOLLOW BLAKE WHITEN: Official | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube   Blake Whiten Live Dates: Feb. 19, 2026 in Estero, Fla. at Hertz Arena % Feb. 21, 2026 in Athens, Ga. at Akins Ford Arena % Feb. 26, 2026 in Greenville, S.C. at Bon Secours Wellness Arena % Feb. 27, 2026 in Knoxville, Tenn. at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center % Feb. 28, 2026 in Pikeville, Ky. at Appalachian Wireless Arena % March 5, 2026 in Boston, Mass. at TD Garden % March 7, 2026 in Statesboro, Ga. at GATA Jam # March 12, 2026 in Grand Rapids, Mich. at Van Andel Arena % March 13, 2026 in Moline, Ill. at Vibrant Arena at The MARK % March 14, 2026 in Evansville, Ind. at Ford Center % March 27, 2026 in Orange Beach, Ala. at The Wharf Amphitheater % April 2, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas at Dickies Arena % April 3, 2026 in Baton Rouge, La. at Raising Cane's River Center % April 4, 2026 in Corpus Christi, Texas at Hilliard Center Arena % April 9, 2026 in Uncasville, Conn. at Mohegan Sun Arena % April 10, 2026 in Atlantic City, N.J. at Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena % April 11, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pa. at Petersen Events Center % April 16, 2026 in Toledo, Ohio at Huntington Center % April 17, 2026 in Green Bay, Wis. at Resch Center % April 18, 2026 in Sioux Falls, S.D. at Denny Sanford Premier Center % April 25, 2026 in La Porte, Texas at Sylvan Beach Festival # April 30, 2026 in Huntsville, Ala. at Propst Arena at the Von Braun Center % May 1, 2026 in Nashville, Tenn. at Ascend Amphitheater % May 2, 2026 in Nashville, Tenn. at Ascend Amphitheater % May 8, 2026 in Bowman, S.C. at Fresh Tracks Country Music & Outdoor Festival # May 9, 2026 in Faison, N.C. at Creekstone Rising Music Festival June 4, 2026 in Airway Heights, Wash. at BECU Live at Northern Quest % June 5, 2026 in Nampa, Idaho at Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater % June 6, 2026 in Bend, Ore. at Hayden Homes Amphitheater % June 10, 2026 in Abbotsford, B.C. at Abbotsford Centre % June 11, 2026 in Kelowna, B.C. at Prospera Place % June 13, 2026 in Edmonton, Alta. at Rogers Place % June 18, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario at Budweiser Stage % June 19, 2026 in London, Ontario at Canada Life Place % June 20, 2026 in Ottawa, Ontario at Canadian Tire Centre % July 11, 2026 in Chicago, Ill. at Windy City Smokeout # July 24, 2026 in Ann Arbor, Mich. at Michigan Stadium ! July 25, 2026 in Ann Arbor, Mich. at Michigan Stadium ! July 31, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pa. at Lincoln Financial Field ! Aug. 1, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pa. at Lincoln Financial Field ! Aug. 6, 2026 in Sikeston, Mo. at Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo # Aug. 8, 2026 in Oshkosh, Wis. at XRoads41 2026 #   # festival % with Bailey Zimmerman ! with Morgan Wallen

ABOUT BLAKE WHITEN: Blake Whiten often finds inspiration from his upbringing. Born in Six Mile, South Carolina, where the population hovers below 800 people, the 21-year-old singer-songwriter writes what he knows. His passion for Country music is evident throughout his descriptive storytelling and the country cover songs he's shared online. Many of those videos have since gone viral. After his June 2024 cover of Morgan Wallen's “I Guess” amassed 9 million views on TikTok, managers, record labels and publishers came calling. Within 24 hours, he was on a flight to Music City. A 2024 cut with Bailey Zimmerman (“Holding On”) also put him on the map as a songwriter. All the while, Whiten's solo writes continued to pick up steam. His poignant debut single “Breakin' My Heart” and massive follow-up, “Rollin' Stone” (31 million+ cumulative streams since its October 2024 release), highlight his prowess as a songwriter. Both tracks, penned alone, are featured on his independently released 2025 debut EP, Six Mile. While the six-track EP introduces Whiten as a skilled singer-songwriter wise beyond his years, his new music sets the stage for the country newcomer's undeniable rise to stardom. Whether it's his ear-grabbing covers or his unique original songs, listeners and music industry executives are taking notice. Whiten hopes his music impacts listeners. Nearly six years after posting his first cover and tens of millions of views later, Whiten is one step closer.

Healthy Habits - The Dark Side of Energy Drinks: Could You Be Addicted?

 Energy drinks are everywhere with the UK market dominated by the likes of Red Bull, Monster Energy, Rockstar and Relentless. Marketed to the public as a safe and effective way to combat fatigue, easy access and social norms have normalised their use. However, energy drinks are packed with habit-forming substances like caffeine and sugar, which can easily hook you on needing several drinks a day just to function. Tim Panagos, Clinical Lead at The Edge Crete looks at why they are so addictive and the health risks they carry.

Did You Know?

• One can of Monster, PRIME or Rockstar contains around 160 milligrams of caffeine, about double the caffeine content of a standard cup of coffee and over 4 times as much caffeine as a can of coke!  

• Some, like Celsius Heat or Rockstar Xdurance, contain 300 mg of caffeine in a single can!

• A standard can of Monster Energy or Rockstar Punched contains 13-14 teaspoons of sugar! 

Tim comments: “Many people assume energy drinks are completely safe because they’re so easy to buy. But that’s not the case. Energy drinks contain a potent blend of stimulants that can have serious and sometimes dangerous effects on your health. This includes heart problems, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and even tremors. Energy drinks can be addictive due to a combination of factors, but it’s mostly related to their high doses of caffeine, sugar, and other stimulants”.

The Addictive Nature of Caffeine

Caffeine is the number one reason why energy drinks are so addictive. It is scientifically proven to be habit-forming and can lead to physical and psychological dependence. If you’re experiencing mood swings, withdrawals, or anxiety and depression from energy drinks, there’s a good chance it’s due to the caffeine. Caffeine is a stimulant that changes how your brain functions, especially if you drink it every day in large amounts. When you consume it regularly, your body adjusts to its effects, making you need more to feel the same level of alertness. This is why you may feel like you “need” your daily energy drink to function normally. Energy drinks also contain other habit-forming stimulants, like sugar, taurine, and guarana. These substances amplify the effects of caffeine and can contribute to feelings of euphoria and reward, making you want more. And when you don’t have it, you crave it all day. Sometimes, you’re better off just grabbing another boost of energy than dealing with the negative side effects of not having it. That’s why we call it a vicious cycle.

Understanding the Risks of Energy Drink Addiction

Energy drinks typically contain a potent combination of stimulants, including:

• High levels of caffeine: Too much caffeine puts immense strain on your heart. It triggers your body’s stress response, which makes your heart beat faster and your blood pressure spike. Over time, this added pressure can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes, especially if you already have heart issues. Caffeine can also throw off your heart’s natural rhythm, sometimes leading to dangerous arrhythmias that make your heart feel like it’s racing or skipping beats.

• Sugar: Energy drinks are loaded with sugar, which can lead to obesity, diabetes, dependence, and heart disease. Some energy drinks contain 100% or MORE of your recommended daily intake of sugar in a single can. It’s also rough on your teeth, wearing down enamel and causing cavities. The sugar rush might give you a quick boost, but over time, it takes a serious toll on your health. If you’re noticing mood issues, weight gain, lethargy, or anxiety, the sugar in your energy drink has something to do with it.

• Other Stimulants: Many energy drinks also contain other stimulants like taurine, guarana, and ginseng. These substances can interact with caffeine and other ingredients and amplify their effects. For example, one study showed that guarana can increase anxiety levels, while another research suggests that high doses of taurine may contribute to heart problems in some individuals. These additional stimulants can create a dangerous cocktail, and their long-term effects are still being studied.

Nervous System Issues

Energy drinks can seriously disrupt your nervous system, often causing anxiety, insomnia, and headaches that are frustrating, exhausting, and difficult to manage. Some of the side effects these drinks can have on your nervous system include:

• Anxiety and Nervousness: Caffeine triggers the release of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which is why you may feel restless, jittery, and on edge. Many people struggle with racing thoughts, difficulty concentrating, and an overall sense of unease. And if you’re already suffering from anxiety, energy drinks can make your symptoms worse. If you’re struggling with either of these side effects, we recommend quitting drinking energy drinks immediately. You’ll feel better very quickly.

• Insomnia and Sleep Disturbances: The stimulating effects of caffeine interfere with your body’s ability to wind down, which makes it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep. Even if you do manage to sleep, caffeine can reduce sleep quality, leading to frequent awakenings and daytime grogginess. And poor sleep usually leads to poor mental and physical health. What’s the solution? People tend to turn to energy drinks to wake up and function…and the cycle repeats.

• Headaches and Tremors: When caffeine wears off, your body reacts to the sudden drop. That’s why you may experience withdrawal symptoms like pounding headaches, brain fog, and difficulty concentrating when you don’t have your “fix”.

Gastrointestinal Problems

Excessive energy drink consumption can wreak havoc on the digestive system. The high acidity of these beverages can irritate the stomach lining, leading to discomfort, heartburn, and even acid reflux. Besides, they can cause a range of unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.

Other Potential Risks

Energy drinks’ immediate effects are your primary concern. However, you must understand that they also pose long-term health risks to your vital organs.

• Liver Damage: Some studies have suggested a link between excessive energy drink consumption and liver damage, although more research is needed to confirm this association.

• Kidney Problems: High caffeine intake can increase urine output and potentially strain the kidneys.

• Seizures and Convulsions: While rare, in some cases, very high doses of caffeine can trigger seizures and convulsions.

Could You Be Addicted To Energy Drinks? Common Signs & Symptoms:

• Cravings and Compulsive Use: This can include intense, frequent cravings and difficulty limiting consumption. People may continue using energy drinks even when facing negative consequences like health problems, relationship issues, or financial strain. If you keep trying to cut back but are never successful, that’s a clear sign of a problem.

• Tolerance and Withdrawal: Tolerance develops as your body adapts to the presence of caffeine and other stimulants. If you’ve developed a tolerance, you’ll notice that you require increasing amounts of energy drinks to achieve the same “buzz” you used to get. This is a hallmark of addiction. You need more and more of the substance, which leads to worse and worse side effects. And when you don’t have it, you experience energy drink withdrawal symptoms, such as headaches, fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.

• Neglecting Responsibilities: Prioritising energy drink consumption can lead to neglecting work, school, or social obligations. Individuals may find it difficult to fulfil responsibilities due to the effects of energy drink consumption, such as fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and irritability.

• Social and Relationship Problems: The effects of energy drink consumption, such as irritability, mood swings, and social withdrawal, can strain relationships with family, friends, and colleagues. This is especially true in younger populations whose parents may try to get them to cut back. As we stated before, energy drink consumption is associated with risk behaviours, which can have a serious negative impact on familial relationships.

• Physical Dependence: If you’re experiencing headaches, fatigue, irritability, and trouble concentrating when you cut back on energy drinks, then your body has likely become dependent on the stimulants in them. We recommend gradually cutting back and replacing your Red Bull or Monster with something healthier like tea or soda water.

Mental Health Implications

Energy drinks can have life-altering effects on your mental health, including anxiety and depression. The high caffeine and sugar can change your brain’s reward pathways, causing mood swings, panic attacks, and emotional instability causing issues such as:

• Anxiety and Depression: Excessive caffeine intake can exacerbate existing anxiety symptoms and may even trigger anxiety disorders in some individuals. The stimulating effects of energy drinks can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to sleep deprivation, which is a major contributor to anxiety and depression. In somecases, excessive energy drink consumption may contribute to the development of depression.

• Mood Disorders: The stimulating effects of energy drinks can lead to significant mood swings, including irritability, restlessness, and difficulty concentrating. These mood fluctuations can interfere with daily life and strain relationships.

• Psychosis: While rare, in some individuals, very high doses of caffeine can trigger psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions. This is more likely to occur in individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions.

Tim Panagos, Clinical Lead at The Edge Crete comments: “Energy drinks, marketed as quick fixes for fatigue, have become very popular in modern society. However, their intense stimulant effects can lead to dependence and a range of serious health consequences. Recognising cravings and withdrawal symptoms is essential for identifying addiction. If you or someone you know is looking for ways to stop energy drink addiction, seek professional help from healthcare providers, therapists, support groups, or rehab centres Prioritise healthy lifestyle choices, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, and stress-management techniques. Remember, overcoming energy drink addiction requires commitment and support, but it is possible”.