The Best Tea for Anxiety & Stress Relief
Do you find yourself feeling stressed or anxious a little too often? You’re not alone. Approximately 70% of adults in the United States say they feel stress or anxiety daily.
In today’s demanding world, we are constantly bombarded with deadlines, responsibilities and decisions that can leave our bodies in a heightened state, which is normal.
However, if you experience ongoing anxiety and stress, then it can cause or exacerbate many serious health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, panic disorder and depression.
For this reason, it’s important to take measures to manage symptoms – including talking to your doctor if needed. Mental health is important!
Sadly, there’s no magic pill that can cure anxiety and stress, but there are different coping strategies that can promote a sense of calmness and relaxation such as yoga, meditation, or the use of essential oils.
Another age old remedy is drinking tea. Let’s explore some of benefits of tea in relation to stress and anxiety and meet some tea brands that are great for relaxing.
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How I Use Tea for My Own Mental Health
For my own journey with anxiety I’ve found that online therapy and regular routines are incredibly helpful in managing my levels of anxiety. Part of my afternoon and night time routine involves making tea.
While drinking the tea can sometimes reduce my feelings of anxiety or stress, I think the whole act of making the tea is a mindful activity that helps my wellness.
For me taking time out of my day to boil the water, steep the tea, and enjoy it is an act of kindness for myself. Even when feeling anxious making time to be kind for yourself can make a difference!
Different Types of Teas and The Benefits They Offer For Anxiety And Stress
Tea affects everyone differently due to differences in taste and stress levels. It’s worth experimenting with different calming herbal teas to learn which one works for your symptoms of anxiety.
There are many health benefits to herbal medicine like teas, but be sure to talk to your doctor before starting any new regiment if you are already on medication or if you suffer from certain diseases.
Depending on your preference type of tea, these are our favorites of the best calming teas out there.
The next time you're looking for an herbal remedy to help reduce anxiety, get a good night’s sleep, and feel calmer, consider these teas. Here are the best teas for stress and anxiety, according to science.
Peppermint tea: When it comes to relieving stress and anxiety, peppermint tea is a go-to for many people for good reason. The menthol present in the herb produces a cooling effect that creates a pleasant diversion from pain or other irritations. A clinical study reported that inhalation of peppermint essence significantly reduced the level of anxiety in heart attack patients.
Passionflower tea: Studies suggest that passionflower increases the levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA slows down your brain by blocking specific GABA receptors and signals in your central nervous system. This results in relaxation, enhanced mood and better sleep. Passionflower has a slightly bitter, earthy flavor, so you may want to mix it with other teas or honey to improve the taste.
Chamomile tea: Chamomile acts as a mild tranquilizer and sleep-inducer. One 2016 study found that long-term use of chamomile extract significantly reduced moderate to severe symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Another study showed chamomile significantly improved sleep quality in older patients.
Black tea: Daily cups of black tea can help you cope with stresses of everyday life. Researchers in the UK found people who drank black tea could de-stress more quickly than those who drank a fake tea substitute. In addition, tea drinkers had lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol after exposure to stress. Just a note: there is caffeine in black tea!
Lavender tea: Lavender is widely used as an aromatherapy agent to help with anxiety, depression, and fatigue. Some studies suggest lavender can improve your body’s melatonin levels- the hormone regulates sleep-wake cycles, leading to a better night’s rest.
Lemon balm tea: Lemon balm may be helpful in reducing anxiety and depression symptoms. A 2004 study found that taking lemon balm eased the negative mood effects of lab-induced psychological stress. Participants reported an increased sense of calmness and reduced feelings of alertness.
Ashwagandha tea: Ashwagandha is classified as an adaptogen, a substance that helps the body cope with stress. In a small study with 58 participants, those who took 250 to 600 mg of ashwagandha extract for 8 weeks had significantly reduced perceived stress and levels of the stress hormone cortisol compared with those who took a placebo.
Green tea: Green tea can provide incredible anti-stress and anti-anxiety effects when consumed daily. It’s high in L-theanine, a chemical compound that is known for promoting a sense of calm and relaxation by reducing heart rate during stressful situations. Just a note: there is caffeine in green tea!
Hibiscus tea: When you’re feeling stressed or anxious, your body produces a surge of hormones that increase your blood pressure by causing your heart to beat faster. Hibiscus tea can significantly lower blood pressure. In fact, recent studies showed the tea can lower blood pressure as effectively as some standard hypertension drugs can.
When you're constantly stressed, your immune system and digestive system can take a hit. While drinking tea can't necessarily stop panic attacks, the side effects of a warm cup of tea or two are more calming effects.
The Best Teas to Try for Anxiety & Stress
We’ve put together a list of the best teas for anxiety and stress. Like I said tea is part of my routine in trying to manage my mental health, so I’ve included a few of my personal favorite teas below!
PIQUE’s Organic Herbal Teas
Pique Tea is the maker of world’s first Cold Brew Tea Crystals. They source the highest quality organic ingredients from family-owned farms and use revolutionary patented method to make their tea crystals which deliver up to 12x the antioxidants of regular tea. Pique has quite a selection of herbal teas to help consumers relax.
My personal favorite is the Pique Hibiscus Herbal Tea is a relaxing and dessert-worthy tea for you to sip on when you’re feeling tense. Ingredients include Egyptian hibiscus, mint, and licorice root that will create a calming effect on your body, mind, and soul.
MUD\WTR’s Mushroom Tea
MUD\WTR is made with American-grown whole mushroom powders with mycelium and fruiting bodies, all of which are good for the gut - a key player in your mood and mental health It’s also packed with nutrient-rich spices like black tea, cardamom, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, black pepper, cinnamon, cacao and turmeric.
MUD\WTR has a distinct flavor with earthy aftertaste. You can drink it straight up or add your favorite milk and a dollop of honey for some extra sweetness. I have tried both of their teas and loved them! They both have an earthy chai flavor. I continue to drink the Rest tea just about every night. I personally like to add a bit of honey to my MUD\WTR.
Rise: Rise is a great beverage if you’d like to quit your coffee habit and are looking for a new beverage to help you ease into your day.
Rest: Rest is a good option if you’re looking to relax. I drink this one before bed time!
Cerebral Tea Company’s Anxiety Free Tea
Cerebral Teas is a Black owned U.S. based company whose mission is to help as many people as possible overcome anxiety disorder. Their Anxiety-Free Tea is a result of tireless research to find the perfect blend of organic herbs scientifically proven to target the root cause of Anxiety disorder.
These include, Blue Vervain, Elderberry, Burdock root, Fennel seeds, Sarsaparilla root, Feverfew and Dandelion Root. Many customers report immediate results such as improved breathing, feeling calm, reduced palpitations, better sleep and overall weaker symptoms. Drink a cup or two every day to reap the maximum benefit.
I have personally tried the Anxiety-Free Tea and the Sereni-tea and enjoyed both of them. I do think that when I remembered to drink the Anxiety-Free tea consistently I felt less physical symptoms of anxiety.
Art of Tea’s Organic Tea for Relaxation
Based in Los Angeles, Art of Tea is USDA certified tea, using organic ingredients to provide a host of flavors and fusions. Flavor and enjoyment are key aspects of enjoying your personal calming tea ritual and Art Tea delivers on all fronts. Their selection is excellent for tea lovers and anyone looking to expand their palate. A few that are specifically made for relaxation include:
Art of tea’s Sleep Tea is perfect for winding down. This aromatic blend is crafted with chamomile, spearmint and valerian tea that will ease your body for a midday nap or evening slumber.
The SoothTea also does wonders to help with stresses of the day. It contains peppermint, chamomile, lemon balm, fennel and licorice root. Steep the tea bags in hot water (206F) for 5 to 7 minutes to make the perfect brew every time while soothing anxiety symptoms.
Tea Drops Calming Organic Tea Drops
Tea Drops is an AAPI woman founder tea brand that will transform the way you drink your tea. Their whole leaf teas are pressed into beautiful shapes that completely dissolve when stirred in a cup of hot water. The best part is that there’s no equipment or steeping needed, so you can have your fix when you’re on the go.
If you’re looking for an anxiety or stress reliever, Tea Drops has a wide variety of teas infused with delicious flavor. A few specific to relaxing include:
The Aloha Pineapple Chamomile Tea is brimming with pineapple and chamomile, this blend will take your taste buds on a trip to the tropics, leaving you relaxed and rejuvenated any time of day.
Tea Drops’ Sweet Peppermint Tea is another soothing gem from their collection with bright notes of peppermint and a kick of spearmint. You’ll feel cool and refreshed with every sip.
Hopefully this guide has helped you understand the benefits of tea and encouraged you to discover some teas to try the next time you’re feeling anxious!
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