Anxiety and stress can be hard to handle. But there’s an easy, natural way to ease your tension: tea! Whether you’re dealing with a stressful day at work or just need help unwinding after a long week, a cup of your favorite tea can do wonders for aiding relaxation.
But all teas are not created equal—and, as it turns out, some are better than others when it comes to dealing with anxiety and promoting calm. Luckily, we’ve done the legwork for you and identified the eight teas that will be most effective in aiding relaxation and reducing anxiety. In this blog post, we’ll explore why these teas are beneficial and share our top picks for each type of tea—so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy!
Table of Contents
Benefits of Tea for Anxiety
Anxiety affects us all in different ways, ranging from light worries to more serious concerns. In any case, it’s important to have natural ways to help manage the situation. That’s where tea can come in—specifically tailored blends that are designed to calm the mind and body.
Tea can have several benefits for people experiencing anxiety and depression. Here are some of the ways tea can help:
- Promotes restfulness: Many types of tea contain minerals like magnesium, that promote calm and reduce stress. This can help ease anxiety and depression symptoms.
- Contains antioxidants: Tea is rich in antioxidants, which can help protect your body from stress and inflammation. Antioxidants can also improve your mood and cognitive function.
- Lowers cortisol levels: Cortisol is a stress hormone that can contribute to anxiety and depression. Some teas, such as green tea, have been shown to lower cortisol levels and reduce stress.
- Boosts serotonin levels: Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a role in regulating mood. Some teas, such as chamomile, have been shown to increase serotonin levels and improve mood.
- Helps with sleep: Sleep disturbances are common in people with anxiety and depression. Certain teas, such as chamomile and valerian root, have sedative properties that can help improve sleep quality.
- Provides a healthy alternative: Many people with anxiety and depression turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as alcohol or junk food. Tea provides a healthy and comforting alternative that can help improve mood and overall well-being.
Best Teas For Anxiety
Chamomile Tea
When you need to de-stress and promote rest, chamomile tea is the perfect choice. Chamomile is a type of daisy-like flower, known for its calming and soothing properties. It’s been used in herbal medicine for centuries to treat ailments, ranging from digestive issues to skin problems– and it can even offer relief from anxiety and stress.
The benefits of chamomile tea are numerous– it contains antioxidants that can improve your mood, reduce inflammation and help you relax. The tea itself has a mild flavor with hints of apples and sweet honey. To make the most of the tea’s calming effects, brew the leaves or flowers for at least five minutes before drinking.
Additionally, pairing chamomile tea with other teas can add even more flavor and relaxation benefits. For example, try adding rooibos or mint-based teas to enhance the taste and get even more stress relief. You can also mix in some lemon or honey for an extra boost of calming sweetness.
Green Tea
A natural and versatile option, green tea is one of the best teas for anxiety symptoms. Let’s find out a bit more about why it’s so good for your mental health.
Green tea contains l-theanine, an amino acid that has been known to reduce stress. Studies have also found that it can increase alpha brain waves, which can create a relaxed, alert state of mind. Plus, green tea is also full of antioxidants like catechins, which can help protect against cell damage from free radicals.
When it comes to brewing the perfect cup of green tea for anxiety relief, here are some tips:
- Opt for higher quality – get Japanese or Chinese premium teas rather than lower quality varieties
- Use the right amount of water – aim for 1 teaspoon of loose leaf per cup (8oz) to get the most out of each serving
- Keep brewing time low – steep your greens for 2-3 minutes at most to avoid bitterness or over extraction
- Try adding other herbs – combine with lemon balm or chamomile to add additional calming benefits
- Enjoy often – sip on this cup throughout your day as needed for anxiety relief
So next time you’re feeling anxious or stressed out, reach for a cup of green tea and let its natural compounds do their thing!
Lavender Tea
If you’re looking for a bedtime tea, then you might want to consider lavender tea. Lavender is a type of flower that has a calming and invigorating scent, making it a great choice for stress relief! Plus, the tea itself has a mild floral taste.
The main benefit of drinking lavender tea is its potential to reduce anxiety and promote calmness. Studies have shown that lavender can calm the nervous system and help with anxiety. Additionally, it can act as a natural sleep aid due to its calming qualities.
When brewing your own lavender tea, it’s important to pay attention to the water temperature (it should be between 176℉ – 194℉). Be sure not to steep the leaves too long; usually 2-3 minutes will do the trick. And if you want to make your cup of tea even more luxurious, try adding some milk or honey.
You may find that adding other teas with some natural relaxing properties can enhance the effects of lavender tea for anxiety relief. Some great pairings are chamomile tea, lemon balm tea or jasmine green tea. All these teas have calming effects and make a great addition to your cup of lavender tea!
Passionflower Tea
Passionflower tea is a popular herb-infused tea that helps relax your body and mind. It’s made from dried passionflower plants, which come in different varieties, including minor, grandiflora, incarnata, and others. It’s a light yellow-orange color and has a mild flavor similar to chamomile.
Passionflower tea has been known to help reduce symptoms of anxiety and insomnia due to its mild sedative effect that helps to relax your body. This popular herbal tea can also help you feel calmer and more at ease during times of stress, due to its high levels of antioxidants that combat the damaging effects of free radicals on your body.
Brewing passionflower tea is easy! Simply add 1 teaspoon of dry leaves or 2 teaspoons of fresh leaves per cup of hot water, cover it, and let it steep for 10 minutes before drinking. You can also add other types of herbs or teas like chamomile or ginger for an extra boost in relaxation. With this method you can enjoy the benefits of passionflower tea with the added benefit of other relaxing ingredients!
Valerian Root Tea
Valerian root tea is a great way to help you relax and ease anxiety. It’s made from the root of the Valerian plant, and it has a sweet, earthy flavor that’s slightly minty. This tea can help reduce stress, improve sleep, and give you a sense of calmness when you need it most.
Valerian root tea is known for its calming effects on the body, mind and spirit. The antioxidants found in valerian root tea can help reduce physical symptoms of stress like tension headaches, muscle aches and stomach pains. Plus, it contains compounds that have been linked to improved sleep quality, so if you’re struggling with insomnia or restless nights, then valerian root tea might be worth giving a try.
To make the most out of your experience, it’s important to know how to brew it properly. When making valerian tea, use one teaspoon of dried herb per cup of hot water and let it steep for at least five minutes before straining or drinking it. You can also add some other calming herbs such as chamomile or lavender flowers to create a more soothing beverage.
If you’re looking for other teas that go well with valerian tea, there are plenty of options out there! Try combining with lavender flowers for an extra relaxing drink that’ll help soothe your nerves and unwind after a long day. Peppermint or ginger
Kava Kava Tea
Kava tea is one of the most popular teas for both relaxation and reducing anxiety. It’s made from a root native to the South Pacific islands, called kava kava. Kava kava tea has been used for centuries as a natural means of calming and promoting feelings of relaxation.
When it comes to using tea for anxiety, there are quite a few benefits to using kava kava. It can help reduce stress, improve your mood and overall sense of wellbeing, while also promoting better sleep. Additionally, it can reduce muscle tension and help to relax the body in a way that is more sustainable than drinking large amounts of caffeine.
When brewing kava kava tea, it’s best to use higher quality root material if possible—the higher quality the root material, the better the brew will be. To make sure you get the best taste and highest potency from your tea, start with fresh water that has been recently boiled and let it steep for about 10 minutes before straining it into a cup or pitcher. Be sure to drink this tea soon after it’s brewed so you get its full benefits!
Kava kava can be enjoyed on its own but it also pairs well with other herbal teas like chamomile or lavender for an extra-relaxing blend. Additionally, adding some honey or lemon juice can add some sweetness and acidity that complements the flavor nicely!
Peppermint Tea
Peppermint tea is one of the most popular teas out there when it comes to relaxation and reducing anxiety. This fragrant tea is made from leaves of the peppermint plant, and has a strong flavor. It’s known for its unique taste and its ability to soothe anxiety.
Studies have shown that peppermint aromatherapy reduces anxiety levels and promotes relaxation. The menthol in peppermint also helps to open up breathing passages, which can be helpful for people with asthma or allergies. Drinking a cup of peppermint tea can help to reduce stress levels, as well as insomnia, mood swings, and mental fatigue.
Brewing peppermint tea is easy—just pour 6-8 ounces of boiling water over 1 teaspoon of loose-leaf peppermint tealeaves or one tea bag. Let it steep for 3-5 minutes until it reaches your desired strength, then stir in some honey if you’d like a sweeter flavor.
If you want something extra special with your cup of peppermint tea, why not try adding some other herbal teas? Lavender is known for being calming and soothing, while ashwagandha tea is known for its calming effects as well as helping you to relax before going to bed.
Lemon Balm Tea
When it comes to teas for anxiety and relaxation, lemon balm tea should not be missed. This calming herbal tea is made from the leaves of a lemon-scented plant that has been used medicinally for centuries. Its citrus aroma is soothing and makes it perfect for those feeling anxious or stressed out.
Lemon balm tea has a mild flavor with hints of lemon and mint. It is a yellowish color and can be savored either hot or cold.
The benefits of drinking lemon balm tea are numerous and it has been used to treat many ailments, including anxiety, insomnia, indigestion, and headaches. Lemon balm has calming properties that help reduce stress, improve sleep quality, and even boost your mood. Additionally, it also contains powerful antioxidants that may help support your immune system to defend against illnesses like colds and flu.
If you decide to make your own lemon balm tea, there are a few tips you should follow:
- Start by boiling the water and letting it cool down to just below boiling temperature
- Add one teaspoon of dried lemon balm leaves per cup of water
- Let the mixture steep for about 5 minutes before straining away the leaves
- Enjoy hot or over ice!
You can also pair other teas with this one to create your own blend of tea that’s perfect for relaxation. Some great pairings are chamomile (for calming), peppermint (for digestive issues), lavender (for calming) or rosemary (for memory).
Conclusion
All in all, drinking tea is a great way to help manage and reduce anxiety levels. Whether you’re looking for something to help combat stress or aid in better sleep, there’s a tea out there that can help you.
You don’t have to be an expert tea connoisseur to find the right tea for you. Start with the basics, figure out what you like, and go from there. The more you learn about the effects of different teas, the more you’ll be able to find the perfect brew for you and your needs. So, brew up a cup of your favorite tea and give anxiety the boot!
