For more than 15 years, Abdul Razak worked at a palm oil mill near Gua Musang, Kelantan. His life was simple, but his work schedule was demanding – from the roaring sound of the boiler early in the morning to quick meetings with operators before heading home in the evening.
Every morning, his routine was the same: a packet of nasi lemak and a cup of strong coffee. That coffee felt like his “fuel injection,” giving him the boost he needed to face the heavy workload and quick decisions required at the mill. But without realizing it, that small daily habit was slowly wearing down his body.
The First Signs
Years later, Abdul Razak began noticing that his body wasn’t the same anymore. He often suffered from gastric pain, heartburn, and frequent bouts of anger. At night, he struggled to sleep, his heart racing even when he was at rest.
“Maybe it’s just work stress,” he thought. But even on holidays, the anxiety remained.
A Wake-Up Call
One day, during a routine check-up, the doctor asked gently:
“Mr. Razak, how many cups of coffee do you drink a day?”
“Just one in the morning, sometimes two,” he replied.
The doctor smiled knowingly.
“Even that amount is enough to trigger stress hormones. Add fried food and sugary snacks, and both your stomach and your brain are under constant pressure.”
Those words stayed with him. Abdul Razak began reading about the link between food and anxiety. That was when he realized – his strong coffee, carbonated drinks, and fast food choices weren’t just filling his stomach. They were fueling his stress, anger, and sleepless nights.
Small Steps, Big Changes
Abdul Razak didn’t quit coffee overnight – he knew that would be tough. But he started to cut back gradually.
In the mornings, he swapped coffee for herbal tea or fresh coconut water.
Instead of fried snacks, he reached for boiled bananas or guava.
When he craved something to munch, he chose unsalted nuts or plain popcorn.
At first, his body craved the caffeine and sugar. But after a few weeks, he began to notice the difference:
Less gastric pain, fewer attacks.
Better sleep, no more racing heartbeat in the middle of the night.
More stable emotions, less anger at his operators or family.
A Calmer Life
Now in his 40s, Abdul Razak has learned that mental health isn’t just about the mind – it’s about what we put into our bodies every day. When younger workers complain about stress, he often smiles and shares his experience:
“Take care of what you eat and drink. Don’t let coffee or fast food control your life. When your body is healthy, your mind will be calm too.”
👉 Abdul Razak’s journey is proof that small changes in diet can create big changes in emotional well-being and overall life balance.
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