This post is all about how tea may help with stress.
Stress is something we all experience. I tend to have more of it than usual because I have higher anxiety. If you read more about my story in my post about how I started drinking tea, you’ll see that coffee had turned on me. Tea came into my life more after deciding to move away from coffee.
After drinking tea more seriously, I experienced less stress and less anxiety. It doesn’t happen that way for everyone; different types of stress affect individuals differently, but that is my journey.
What is it about tea that encourages a calming presence in our lives? How may it help with stress? What is my stress definition? I learned these things over time. Studies suggest that tea can help with stress through its associated health benefits.
In this post, you will learn about five ways tea may help with stress!
1. L-Theanine Content In Tea
L-theanine is an amino acid present in tea. Tea has a chemical composition. L-theanine tends to be higher in green tea or tea shaded due to the increase in the amino acid. According to a study cited in the National Library of Medicine titled “Effects of L-Theanine Administration on Stress-Related Symptoms and Cognitive Functions in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial, “stress-related symptoms and scores decreased for individuals during the trial. You can check out reviews of green tea that I have done in the Tea Reviews section of the blog if you are interested in purchasing.
2. Mindfulness In Practice For Stress
Tea is very ceremonial. There is tea picking, prepping for brewing, the actual brewing, and creating a space to enjoy it. You will often read stories about individuals who have a favorite window or spot in their home where they enjoy tea. In a study cited in the National Library Of Medicine titled “Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on Emotion Regulation in Social Anxiety Disorder,” “MBSR-related changes included a reduction in symptoms of social anxiety, depression, rumination, state anxiety and increased self-esteem in adults with SAD.”
3. Tea Brings Individuals Together
One of the most significant positives of tea is that it brings individuals together. I love that I can share my passion for tea with others. In fact, according to “Social Relationships and Health: A Flashpoint for Health Policy,” “Solid scientific evidence shows that social relationships affect a range of health outcomes, including mental health, physical health, health habits, and mortality risk.” There are many ways you can use tea to gather folks. Hosting a tea party with friends or introducing co-workers to their first cup of oolong.
4. Other Compounds In Tea That May Help With Stress
Beyond L-theanine, tea contains many other chemical compounds. “There appear to be multiple pathways affected by multiple constituents in tea that can collectively lead to antidepressant effects in tea drinkers,” according to the study “Mechanisms Underlying the Anti-Depressive Effects of Regular Tea Consumption. These include polyphenols, EGCG, catechins, and much more! This is one of the reasons you’ll see extracts from tea used in supplements.
5. Tea Encourages Exploration
The world of tea is vast. At its most basic, there are six different styles of tea: green, white, yellow, oolong, black, and pu’erh. Each style is processed in various ways by farmers worldwide, resulting in different tastes, aromas, and experiences. You may love learning about Japanese green teas or indulging in a first flush Darjeeling to explore Indian tea. Tea’s encouragement to explore asks us to think deeply about where it was created, how it was created, and by whom. This exploration brings joy to so many individuals, including myself. It challenges me to think beyond the cup and share that with others.
Our day-to-day can bring both joys and hardships. Life can be very stressful. Tea can help us relax, bring mindfulness, and explore. The best part is being able to pass this on to others. However you experience tea, I hope it brings joy to your life!
In this post, you learned about five ways tea may help with stress.
{I am not a medical professional; all points in this article are based on personal experience or cited from studies. If you do experience any high level of stress or anxiety, it’s always best to consult with your physician.}
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