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People around the globe have been drinking tea for centuries. Whether you like it hot or cold, black or green, tea can do more than just quench your thirst.
Tea comes from the camellia sinensis plant that is loaded with antioxidants and other health benefits. Despite containing caffeine, tea could also lift your mood, as well as calm, and destress you. Scientists, according to the journal Nature are just beginning to study all the benefits of drinking tea.
Put the Kettle On
Recent research from the British Tea Advisory Panel (TAP) highlighted that drinking tea at work helps people to connect to colleagues and that work from home during the pandemic takes away this social contact. This could lead to additional stress. That’s why the relaxation benefits of tea are so important.
“These qualitative findings suggest that tea drinking has wider social ramifications that could impact mental health, which is worthy of future investigation, especially as many of us have suffered huge mental health pressures since the pandemic began," Dr Tim Bond, co-author of the study and a member of TAP told The Metro.
Part of this stress reduction may be a function of just performing the ritual of putting the tea kettle on, suggested Medical News Today. Whether it’s the social aspect, the medicinal properties, or just a soothing memory of drinking tea, put the kettle on and destress.
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Herbal Teas
People have been drinking herbal teas for centuries, according to Healthline, to help reduce stress and anxiety. That’s because many herbal teas contain antioxidants, antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory compounds. All of these may have calming effects.
A 2014 study suggested that some herbal teas, especially lemon balm, could lower the levels of cortisol; the stress hormone. Other teas that have calming effects are chamomile (which is usually suggested as a bedtime drink because of its calming effects), lavender, valerian root (that is used for sleep), and peppermint.
You can also find some of these teas in blends that will allow you to reap the benefits of multiple herbs like chamomile and mint. Experiment and find the one that you enjoy the most. So when you come home from work, or turn off the computer at home, have a relaxing cup of tea.
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