Keep Calm and Drink Your Tea
By Stepy Kamei
What would be your answer if I asked you to name one of the most common health issues affecting Americans everywhere, every day? You might respond with chronic back pain, headaches, or general fatigue. These are all certainly valid answers, yet many people are pretty surprised to learn that, out of all things, stress and anxiety are the conditions which tends to affect us all in rather subtle, yet impactful, ways. Yes, stress is actually powerful enough to negatively affect the entire body in a way that harms a person's physical health and wellness. It's truly a shame that more people are unable to grasp the concept of just how necessary it can be to incorporate stress relieving tactics and techniques into everyday living. Exercise, deep breathing, and creative outlets such as journaling can all be helpful for people to combat stress and anxiety. However, one of the simplest things you can do to beat stress, not to mention improve other aspects of your health, is by choosing to drink a cup of tea on a daily basis.
How Does Tea Promote a Calmer State of Being?
Even though tea isn't necessarily a miracle elixir for curing all instances of stress and anxiety, or any other health issue for that matter, there has been scientific evidence proving its ability to improve health by reducing the impact that these health concerns can have on the body. This is mostly because many tea types are brimming with such healthy and significant compounds as antioxidants, flavonoids, and adaptogens. These compounds have been proven to have the ability to reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the body while also lowering levels of inflammation. Inflammation can lead to physical pain and discomfort, which is never good for promoting calm and relaxation. Inflammation can also increase levels of cortisol while decreasing levels of melatonin, which means you're not only more stressed out, but you're likely more stressed out while having a harder time getting to sleep. That's a recipe for a long night.
Certain teas are better for promoting tranquility than others. You should opt for herbal, caffeine-free options such as chamomile, valerian, lavender, and kava root for the ideal effect. Valerian and kava root have been used by cultures all over the world for ages as natural remedies for restlessness and insomnia. Meanwhile, chamomile and lavender are known anecdotally, as well as scientifically, to promote feelings of relaxation in the body.