Written by Megan Howard, Guest Writer
Need to quieten down your day? Take a time out? Quell your anxiety? A cup of tea may be what you need. It turns out, it’s not just certain types of food that can help to keep you calm.
Trying different types of tea is not only a great way to find a beverage that’s a healthy alternative to coffee, but it can also help us to reclaim our mindfulness in the midst of a busy day.
That said, we’re going to explore a variety of teas that can help you to remain calm and centered.
Delightfully, most of them also provide health benefits. So, drinking them is good for your mental and physical wellbeing too.
Most of these teas can be enjoyed hot or as an iced tea, depending on your mood, and the weather.
Chamomile
This aromatic herb is one of the most well-documented and oldest herbs to be used for healing purposes.
This soothing tea is well-known for its mild tranquilizing effect, which makes it wonderful to help alleviate anxiety and tension. Plus, it contains several constituents that have anti-inflammatory properties. This offers a great two-for-one benefit.
Chamomile is often used in aromatherapy, so you can pamper yourself with this extra bit of personal therapy while enjoying your cup of tea.
Chamomile can be enjoyed on its own without milk, and many people use honey as a natural sweetener instead of processed sugars. Other ways to enjoy it include adding a splash of lemon juice instead of sweetener, or blending it with another herbal tea.
Mint
Mint and its relatives, peppermint and spearmint, assist in stress relief by relieving fatigue and relaxing your muscles. Active substances in mint can improve mental focus and alertness. A cup of mint tea is a great way to get a gentle pick-me-up without the jittery side effects associated with coffee.
A good mint tea will also provide some minty freshness to your breath.
Mint tea is enjoyable all on its own, but many people find that the taste is too strong. Experiment with your steeping time to find the strength that’s right for you. In smaller quantities, mint makes a fantastic addition to other herbal teas, adding the perfect side note to round out a tea’s flavor.
Rooibos
Rooibos is an indigenous tea from South Africa that’s sometimes sold as red bush tea.
This lovely flavored tea is free of caffeine and rich in antioxidants. It has very low tannin levels which is a plus as tannins interfere with the body’s ability to absorb iron.
Rooibos tea is normally drunk without milk. Many people find that adding a bit of lemon juice makes a tasty complement to its natural flavor. Rooibos tea also makes a wonderful iced tea, particularly with lemon juice and a garnish of mint leaves.
Green Tea
This well-known tea offers a surprising array of potential health benefits.
Even though green tea contains caffeine, it also contains an active ingredient that moderates the effects of caffeine on our bodies. This active ingredient, L-theanine, is involved in releasing dopamine. This means that green tea can help you relax without making you sleepy.
Green tea contains high levels of antioxidants, which we all need plenty of. And it can promote a healthier immune system through its anti-inflammatory and mildly antibacterial properties.
Green tea is drunk without milk and often without any sweetener. It’s another tea that combines well with mint.
If you find that the taste of green tea is not to your liking, give jasmine tea a try.
Jasmine tea is normally based on green tea, and you’ll find this information on the label. The addition of jasmine adds a lovely aroma and it moderates the flavor, making the tea far more palatable. By drinking jasmine tea you’re still gaining the health benefits associated with green tea, so it’s the best of both worlds!
Ginger Tea
This spicy tea is another tea that is rich in antioxidants. Ginger also increases the levels of dopamine and serotonin in the body which is a major plus. It’s often a low level of these neurotransmitters that contribute to our feelings of stress.
You can add ginger to many other herbal teas to liven up their flavor. Or, if you prefer a more muted taste, you can combine it with some honey and lemon juice and still enjoy the benefits of ginger tea. This combination makes a fantastic tea that’s bursting with flavor and calming at the same time.
Lavender Tea
Many of us are familiar with the gentle scent of lavender and its uses in aromatherapy, massage oils, and skin creams.
Lavender also makes a soothing tea that’s great for relaxing and relieving stress. Preferably drunk without milk, you can add honey to create a warming and calming tea.
If the aroma of this tea makes you think of sun-drenched purple blooming fields in France, indulge your daydream. Allow it to add to your sense of calm.
Rose Tea
The idea of making tea from roses may surprise you. But roses make a sweet, floral tea that combines numerous health benefits in one package.
Rose tea contains antioxidant and antibacterial properties. When you include its mildly hypnotic active ingredients, you have a lovely tea for promoting calm and reducing anxiety.
Rose tea is normally drunk without milk, but sweetened with honey to make a surprisingly delicious drink.
Find Your Tranquili-Tea
As you can see, there are many choices for daytime teas that provide fantastic flavor and a range of health benefits in one cup. Give yourself some self-love and indulge in a tea that brings a sense of calm.
Many of these teas can be combined to create interesting blends to suit personal tastes. And while honey is many people’s choice of sweetener, you can use licorice root instead.
If you’re feeling jittery or in need of a restful day, take a journey into the fascinating world of teas. Choose any tea from our list and sip your way to a state of bliss.
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