Stress Relief: The 7 Best Teas for Stress & Relaxation
COVID-19 concerns are closing small businesses and schools, workers are losing their jobs and whole countries going into lockdown.
No wonder we’re all stressed! I can’t even go to the supermarket without feeling overwhelmed by the empty shelves or turn on the news without feeling anxious about the rapidly changing laws. Heck, I can’t even listen to Spotify without getting an ad about COVID-19 (probably a sign that I should upgrade to Premium).
With all of this weight and burden in the forefront of our minds about social distancing, washing our hands and only going out in public if absolutely necessary, it is understandable that we are so distressed and anxious.
As a result, I have found myself Googling ways that I can de-stress.
The lists about “how to de-stress” always say something along the lines of:
“Get more sleep”
“Do physical activity”
“Avoid caffeine and alcohol”
“Do something creative”
“Talk to someone about your feelings”
“Eat well and stay hydrated”
Some of the things on these lists got me thinking about our beautiful teas and the amazing health benefits that they are believed to have by many cultures around the world.
Not only is making a cup tea and sitting down with a loved one to chat about how you’re feeling a great way to de-stress, it’s also an awesome way to stay hydrated, contributes to a healthy diet and each tea is believed to have individual health benefits. With that in mind, I have created a list of our teas that are considered best for de-stressing, their perceived health benefits and how you can get creative with them post brew.
When reading, please keep in mind that tea is not to be taken remedially, but as a a supplement. Always seek the advice of a health care professional.
ROSEBUD HERBAL TEA
Our Rose tisane is a relaxing beverage with a subtle rose taste. It does not contain caffeine.
HOW IT MAY ASSIST STRESS:
Assists with sleeping difficulties
Helps to calm the mind
Other benefits: may relieve menstrual pain, menopausal symptoms, digestion issues, constipation, respiratory distress and promotes detoxification of the body.
GET CREATIVE:
Make pot pourri with used rosebuds to make your house smell fresh and fragrant.
2. CHAMOMILE
Our Chamomile tisane has earthy and strong floral flavours with a slight hint of crisp apple. It does not contain caffeine.
HOW IT MAY ASSIST STRESS:
Assists with the onset of sleep
Other benefits: may relieve menstrual pain, remedy cold symptoms and reduce inflammation.
GET CREATIVE:
Turn used chamomile into an eye compress to reduce the puffiness and dark circles under your eyes. Tie used chamomile into thin cloth, makeshift bags. Chill for an hour and then place them over your eyes while laying in the bath or after a nice shower.
3. CHRYSANTHEMUM
Our Chrysanthemum tisane has a soft and mellow floral flavour with hints of honey. Chrysanthemum does not contain caffeine.
HOW IT MAY ASSIST STRESS:
May relieve headaches
Reduces stress
Watching the flower unfurl calms the mind
Other benefits: may prevent the onset of colds, aid respiratory problems, lower blood pressure and has a cooling affect that may reduce inflammation.
4. PEPPERMINT HERBAL TEA
Our Peppermint herbal tea has a fresh and cooling peppermint flavour that leaves you feeling refreshed and invigorated. Peppermint tea does not contain caffeine.
HOW IT MAY ASSIST STRESS:
The cooling effect that is produced as a result of the menthol in peppermint tea can:
Relieve headaches & migraines
Relax muscles and reduce stress
Aid nausea
May boost energy
Other benefits: clear sinuses, calm unsettled stomachs, eliminate bad breath and aid weight loss.
GET CREATIVE:
Make a peppermint body scrub using 2-3g of used loose leaf peppermint tea (or x1 peppermint tea bags cut open), 1/4 cup of ground coffee, 1/4 cup of raw sugar and 1/4 cup of room temperature coconut oil. Mix dry ingredients first before adding oil and mix to combine. Store in a glass jar for later use.
5. OOLONG TEA
Oolong tea is a great variety for de-stressing, and we have two.
Our Tie Guan Yin is a semi-oxidised tea, meaning it is an oolong tea with green tea characteristics. It is delicate, smooth and has a slight sweetness and gentle astringency. It has aromas and flavours of orchids, hyacinths, green grass and snow pea.
Our Charcoal-Fired Oolong tea has been hand rolled and fired in charcoal to produce a rich and mellow honey-nutty flavour, its floral characteristics emerging with each steep. It is also known as Charcoal Baked Tie Guan Yin.
Oolong has a natural, low level of caffeine that can benefit cognitive function.
HOW IT MAY ASSIST STRESS:
Boost energy
Initiate relaxation
Have a calming effect due to its polyphenols
Settle stomachs
Other benefits: may aid weight loss, digestion, reduce blood sugar, strengthen the immune system, bone and teeth.
GET CREATIVE:
Compress and dry the tea leaves in books and use later as scrapbook or card decoration or use in a cool art project. When Tie Guan Yin or Charcoal Baked Tie Guan Yin is brewed, the little balls unfurl into big leaves, making them perfect for decorating.
6. FLOWER BALL
Our Flower Ball tea has the elegant vegetal and grassy flavours of green tea complemented by the floral notes of the flower. This tea contains natural, low levels of caffeine that can benefit cognitive function.
HOW IT MAY ASSIST STRESS:
Watching the flower unfurl calms the mind and body.
Reduces stress
Other benefits: may boost the metabolism, improve oral and heart health, stimulate brain function, and reduce inflammation.
PRO TIP:
This tea can be re-steeped up to 24 hours later. Make sure to rinse used flower ball with hot water before storing in an air tight container in the fridge.
7. JIN JUN MEI
Our Jin Jun Mei black tea is naturally sweet, with smokey flavours and aromas of lychee, honey and slight malt. This tea is believed in Chinese culture to settle the stomach, strengthen the immune system and calm the mind. This tea contains natural, low levels of caffeine that can benefit cognitive function.
HOW IT MAY ASSIST STRESS:
Calm the mind and nerves
Settle upset stomachs
Other benefits: may strengthen the immune system, relieve respiratory problems, promote blood circulation, relieve coughs, promote detoxification and aid weight loss.
GET CREATIVE:
Re-use the tea leaves to stain paper to make it look old and rustic! Re-steep your used tea leaves for the final time and allow to brew to a dark colour. Once cool, use a paintbrush to brush it across and stain the paper.
We love hearing from you! So if you have any questions or something to add, comment below and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Make sure to share with a friend that could use some de-stressing right now and would benefit from reading this.
Hope you start to feel more relaxed and stress free soon <3