Herbal and decaffeinated teas may be ideal for soothing stress, particularly for those who avoid caffeine. There are many different kinds, so it’s a good idea to try a variety until you find the perfect blend to help you melt away your worries.
Keep reading to find out how hot tea can be a balm for anxiety and stress and which blends you should consider.
How A Daily Ritual Can Help You De-Stress
The comfort of a daily (or nightly) ritual can help calm your nerves. Drinking tea is only one part of that comforting routine — if you treat it as a ritual of mindfulness, this moment of relaxation will begin from the moment you start the kettle. This is your time to focus on yourself, so get the most out of it by savouring every moment and recognizing how good it feels to do something for yourself today.
As you make your tea for anxiety, choose a mug that makes you happy. Once the water is hot enough, before steeping, take a moment to enjoy the calming scent of the tea. Your sense of smell can be a powerful mental trigger, so simply smelling the tea before or while steeping can boost the soothing effect. Take deep breaths as the tea steeps, and let the aroma settle your mind. Give yourself time to sip and enjoy the tea, imagining the stress melting away to leave you calm, clear headed, and relaxed.
The heat from a hot cup of tea is known to make us feel a little more relaxed. The cosy feeling of warmth can help promote serenity. If you find yourself feeling full of nervous energy, a hot cup of tea may help you aid your body’s natural processes to help you slow down.
Top Herbal Teas to Help Manage Anxiety
Several herbal teas for anxiety are great for soothing stress — whatever flavours you prefer, Twinings has something for everyone.
Camomile
Camomile has traditionally been believed to help relax the mind and body for many years. Camomile flowers contain certain active compounds (like apigenin) that produce a mild relaxing and therapeutic effect.
In addition to its effects on the brain and nervous system, camomile can also support a healthy digestive system.
“If you tend to hold your stress and worry in a tight stomach you might find camomile is well suited for you,” says Bevin Clare, Twinings Chief Herbalist.
Twinings Nightly Calm is a comforting herbal tea expertly blended with camomile, spearmint and the subtle flavour of lemongrass to deliver a soothing tea with a warm, inviting aroma and smooth, mellow taste. Twinings Superblends Unwinding Passionflower combines camomile with another herb known for its relaxing properties (read more about Passionflower below.) Twinings Camomile, Honey, & Vanilla blends camomile with the naturally sweet flavours of honey and vanilla to deliver a smooth tea with a creamy aroma and velvety taste.
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Passionflower
Passionflower has a long tradition of use by indigenous peoples of America to help support restful and natural sleep patterns. Passionflower also contains relaxing compounds similar to camomile, which can help reduce anxiety. As mentioned above, Twinings Unwinding Passionflower pairs the herb with camomile to help maximise its effect.
Passionflower has been studied for anxiety in a wide variety of situations. In one published study, a group of participants consumed passionflower as a tea for seven days and reported increased sleep quality compared with the placebo.
Ashwagandha & Rooibos
Rooibos tea is a tasty, naturally caffeine-free drink. Twinings Superblends Adaptogens Calm pairs rooibos with ashwagandha root, another herbal component that helps promotes calm and peacefulness and can help promote stress reduction and reduce anxiety. We also offer Pure Rooibos Red Tea using only 100% pure rooibos.
Ashwagandha has been used for thousands of years to support a healthy stress response, and its scientific name means “sound sleep.” Ashwagandha can be defined as an adaptogen, which is an herb that helps your body have a more sustainable response to stress.
In one small 2019 study, ashwagandha extract was compared with a placebo. Some participants reported a reduction in anxiety and/or depression.
Peppermint & Fennel
Herbal teas to help manage anxiety sometimes also have probiotic benefits to contribute to healthy gut flora, like Twinings Peppermint & Fennel herbal tea. The cooling and refreshing taste of peppermint and spearmint have long been used to soothe, especially the aroma, and work great as a morning wake-up tea or a midday pick-me-up.
“A cup of peppermint tea is like a little aromatherapy experience, as the oils are released into the air. When you drink peppermint, be sure to sit with your steaming cup and inhale deeply,” says Clare.
Dried fennel has a sweet anise seed flavour that can be very calming and has long been used in traditional Arabian, Ayurvedic, and Chinese practices.
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Sleep+
Since melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone, it offers a little more of a ‘kick’ in terms of its sleep-promoting properties. That makes it an effective choice for those with difficulty sleeping, helping their bodies reset the Circadian Rhythm and get back to a regular sleep schedule.
In one study, melatonin was examined in individuals with insomnia over four weeks, and it was found that melatonin safely and effectively supported some aspects of their sleep quality.
When combined with the benefits of herbal ingredients, melatonin tea for sleep can help to ease anxiety so you can relax enough to fall asleep. Twining’s Superblends Sleep+ tea with melatonin offers a delicious vanilla and cinnamon flavour, while the melatonin and camomile work together to help soothe and relax you.
Soothe Yourself and Try Herbal Tea to Help Manage Anxiety Today
Take the time each day to do something good for yourself and try herbal tea to help manage anxiety. It’s a simple and easy way to promote a sense of calm, which can make getting through each day easier (and more fun.)
“Sometimes what we need to support ourselves are small measures of care throughout the day, and a cup of tea can be an easy and welcome addition to your self-care practices each day,” Clare adds.
With our Master Blenders’ and Expert Herbalists’ combined 250 years of experience, Twinings teas incorporate fine, high-quality ingredients that have been trusted for centuries. We also offer the most enticing flavours available, so you never have to sacrifice great taste to enjoy a delicious drink. Check out our range of herbal teas — each is carefully crafted to offer blends that taste great and do you good.
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