The act of taking a moment to prepare a cup of tea and slow down can help to relieve stress, reduce anxiety, and leave you feeling a little more balanced. The type of tea you consume can also help reduce these feelings. Anxiety affects over 40 million people in the US alone. If you have experienced stress, anxiety, trouble sleeping and more, you may be looking for new ways to alleviate symptoms. A cup of tea might help relieve stress and anxiety, and could help you get better sleep. Here are our top teas to help!
Matcha
Most teas made from the camellia sinensis plant contain some amount of L-theanine, a unique amino acid that promotes relaxation and stress relief. In particular, matcha has even higher levels of L-theanine than other teas, the result of the shaded growth period the tea undergoes before harvest. The combination of caffeine and L-theanine is known for producing a calm, meditative state and what matcha enthusiasts often refer to as a body high. Matcha does have caffeine in it so be careful if you are sensitive to caffeine. If you are, this should not be drank before you wind down for bed.
Peppermint
Peppermint tea is a refreshing sip that is delicious both hot and cold. It acts as a natural antispasmodic and sedative to help relax both your mind and body. Plus, peppermint has shown to be great for your digestive system, which can be helpful if your stress or anxiety levels tend to bring on tummy troubles. Because it helps to relax muscles, peppermint tea can also help to soothe tension headaches brought on by stress and anxiety, even just by inhaling the scent of a warm mug of peppermint tea. Plus, if you’re feeling anxious and overwhelmed by all you have to get done, peppermint tea can be a great option to give you a natural energy boost while also leaving you feeling calm and balanced. Our ginger peppermint tea is a great tea to sip on during those cold winter months to warm you up and help with an upset stomach!
Green
Loaded with antioxidants, green tea is often thought to be synonymous with physical health – but it’s great for your mental health, too. Green tea is one of the best teas to drink to help with anxiety. One of the many antioxidants it contains, a flavonoid called epicatechin, helps to protect your brain from oxidative damage, helping to combat the negative effects that stress has on your body and can also be helpful for improving memory. Again, since this is naturally caffeinated, be aware when you are consuming if you are sensitive to caffeine!
Chamomile
We could not make a list of best teas to de-stress without chamomile! With a smooth flavor that makes it easy to sip on, chamomile tea is one of the most popular tea flavors. Because it’s an herbal tea, the caffeine-free blend won’t spike your anxiety levels, and can be sipped on at any time of day. Chamomile tea is made from dried chamomile flowers, and comes in two varieties: German chamomile and Roman chamomile. The tea helps to naturally increase serotonin and melatonin levels in your body, leaving you feeling relaxed without feeling drowsy. Plus, it can help relieve tension by relaxing muscle aches and soothing headaches often associated with stress and anxiety.
Passionflower
Passionflower tea is calming for the nervous system and a great way to reduce anxiety and stress and promote more restful sleep. It has long been used as a natural remedy for anxiety and to increase GABA levels by the Aztecs, Incas and the South American Indians. It is also a great source of phytochemicals and alkaloids, which work to help reduce stress chemicals in the body to help you feel calmer and more relaxed. It’s also great for sleep and helps to relieve inflammation protecting your body from all those negative aspects of stress like skin issues, digestive troubles, and restlessness.
If you want information on how to brew the perfect cup of tea check out our brewing guide!
No Comments