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How to Find the Perfect Cup of Tea for Different Moods

Are you feeling sad, grumpy, stressed, or anxious? Staying at home and being quarantined for quite some time can create a plethora of emotions and can take a toll on your physical and emotional well-being. These emotions are normal in the current situation but can create mood swings and mood problems. 

According to a psychologist, Dr. Annie Tanasugarn, as the quarantine progresses, there is a greater chance of people feeling bored, lonely, anxious, or irritable. This may lead to depression, PTSD, and other trauma-related mental health disorders if there’s no intervention done.

A Cup of Tea for Every Mood

To support you during this unusual time, we’ve compiled a tea guide to help you find the perfect tea for different types of moods and make you feel better. This way you can stay strong and take care of your mind, body, and spirit – with the help of tea, of course! Read on to know what tea variety can help and support your sense of well-being. Choose the one you need and reap the benefits of drinking this humble, ultra healing beverage every morning.

Tea for Energy

man in a gray tank top standing beside woman in green top

Instead of looking into energy drinks full of sugar, give Black Tea, Yerba Mate, or Oolong Tea a try. The caffeine content in these teas helps enhance energy levels. Ditch your morning cup of coffee with these herbal teas that offer natural energy boost without the jittery feeling you may experience with your cup of joe.

Black Tea: This tea is associated with energy and alertness and has 40-60 mg caffeine content per cup, similar to that of coffee but without the unpleasant jitters. The calming effect of black tea is due to the presence of an amino acid called L-theanine. It gives your body an ideal energy boost by enhancing blood flow without overstimulating your heart.

Oolong Tea: This brew contains 50-75 mg of caffeine per cup and does not cause jitters too. Thanks to the L-theanine, sipping a cup will energize your body but will not cause cortical neuron excitement and stress. 

Yerba Mate: Although this drink is not derived from the Camellia sinensis plant, it contains 45 mg of caffeine per cup, powerful enough to alleviate mental and physical fatigue. This herbal tea is said to have the health benefits of tea, the strength of coffee, and the joy of chocolate.

Tip: Incorporate honey as a healthy way to balance the bitter taste.

Tea for Stress and Anxiety

woman holding mug sitting on sofa

The current pandemic situation can trigger worry and fear of the unknown, which can result in heightened stress and anxiety. To lower your stress level and minimize the symptoms of anxiety, try sipping a hot cup of tea. Choose from any of the following below. Other ways to reduce anxiety include regular exercise, meditation, proper sleep, healthy diet, deep breathing, aromatherapy, and elimination of alcohol and caffeine.

Lemongrass Tea: It is rich in vitamin C and has calming properties that help in reducing anxiety. Sipping a cup of this wonder tea helps ease your busy mind and promotes relaxation by reducing elevated heart rate and boosting red blood cell count.

Rooibos Tea: This cuppa is obtained from a South African shrub. It is rich in antioxidants that boost your mood and memory. Although there’s low concentration of caffeine found in Rooibos Tea compared to other teas derived from Camellia sinensis, it contains high levels of calcium and magnesium. These minerals are responsible for helping the body react well to stress and subduing nervous tension.

Lemon Balm Tea: This herbal tea, acquired from perennial plants, contains  compounds called terpenes. These compounds are responsible for reducing cortisol levels and for minimizing inflammation. Drinking this decoction de-stresses your body and creates a beneficial triple effect solution for stress, sleep, and nerves.

Tip: To attain best flavor, it is recommended to steep tea for at least five minutes.

Tea for Boosting Mood

man and woman standing each holding a cup

We all have our fair share of bad days, feeling as if we've woken up on the wrong side of the bed. Still, you can avoid settling for that less-than-happy mood by drinking teas that have mood-boosting properties. The teas below help lighten the mood and can give you a caffeine kick to power you through that foggy midday slump.

Turmeric Tea: Curcumin, a phytochemical substance found in Turmeric Tea, promotes emotional wellness.  It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that have been known to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, which in turn help relieve indications of depression. It creates a double dose of warm and fuzzy feelings as it increases the brain’s serotonin and dopamine levels. These two neurotransmitters are responsible for regulating mood.

Saffron Tea: Like Turmeric Tea, this sunshine spice tea is also beneficial for mood swings. Studies reveal that antioxidants such as crocetin, crocin, kaempferol, and safranal found in Saffron aid in balancing the neurotransmitters in the brain to give off a “good feeling” signal and brighten your mood.

Indian Masala Chai: The spices used in the Masala Chai such as clove, ginger, cardamom, etc. increase serotonin levels and help promote positivity. The hearty blend of spices and herbs found in Chai Tea is enough to awaken your senses and jumpstart your day. A typical chai blend contains 25-50 mg of caffeine per cup.

Tip: Ginger adds a zesty flavor to tea and has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Tea for Focus

woman wearing headset holding a cup while in front of a white laptop

Working from home is the new normal nowadays. Generally, it seemed fun at first but after a few weeks of doing so, the enthusiasm has worn off but the need to get on with this setup and establish a routine is inevitable. To give you the edge that you need to refocus and enhance cognitive function and mental performance while working from home, try these brain-boosting teas on a daily basis. Take on the day with a clear mind and cool head.

Green Tea: Among the many beneficial attributes it possesses, this renowned tea is noted to increase focus. It contains L-theanine, responsible for long-term brain boost that helps you to think straight. It contains 35-75 mg of caffeine per cup. The polyphenols found in green tea, such as catechins, help enhance brain cognitive function, particularly your working memory.

White Tea: L-theanine, an amino acid, is also found in White Tea. It helps boost brain-enhancing functions. L-theanine is also responsible for elevating levels of serotonin, dopamine, and GABA. A chemical balance of these neurotransmitters helps your brain regulate mood, concentration, emotion, alertness, cognitive skills, and many more.

Tart Cherry Tea: Just like Lavender Tea, this superfruit-derived tea works by slowing down and regulating your blood flow. It helps you feel relaxed and combat restlessness.  The nutritive properties found in Tart Cherry Tea contribute to feelings of well-being and happiness, thus overcoming the feelings of anxiety, negativity, and panic. It eases your mind and body and allows you to focus. 

Tip: Add ginger to add zing to your cup and boost brain function.

Tea for Sleep

woman in blue sleepwear sitting on a bed

With everything that’s going on daily, some people have difficulty falling and staying asleep. Anxiety, stress, depression, and a range of medical problems can cause sleeplessness. It is not healthy to resort to sleeping pills and alcohol to lull yourself to sleep. These depressants contain chemical compounds that have detrimental side effects to your body. Opt for herbal teas for sleep as healthy alternatives to help you wind down or avert symptoms that limit your restorative sleep. The teas below have a natural sedative effect that will make your body relax and eyelids heavy.

Lavender Tea: Fall asleep with ease by drinking this caffeine-free tea. Even the scent alone can calm your nerves and give you a restful night of slumber due to its soporific property. The tea helps calm the brain by prompting chemical reactions in the nervous system. As Lavender Tea reduces the stress hormone, cortisol, it increases the dopamine production resulting in a maximized restorative deep sleep phase.

Chamomile Tea: This caffeine-free herbal tea helps you count sheep in no time. It contains apigenin, an antioxidant responsible for the sedative effect.  It helps in calming your mood and settling your thoughts. It also increases the flow of blood to the brain and counteracts the effect of stress caused by cortisol, the stress hormone. As a result, you can relax and fall into a blissful sleep. 

Valerian Tea: This slightly bitter tea harnessed from Valerian Root has anxiolytic and mild sedative properties that make it a potent sleep aid. It combats the feeling of panic and anxiety so you can drift off to a deep, restful sleep. The antioxidants, hesperidin and linarin, found in Valerian Tea help improve sleep quality and quantity, thanks to their sedative and sleep-enhancing properties.

Tip: To effectively induce sleep, drink a cup 30 minutes before bedtime. 

Tea for Happy Tummy

woman on a chair holding a gray ceramic mug

Our digestive system needs a lot of attention these days that may be associated with mood changes. Need overall stomach comfort? Tea has you covered. Let a cup of delicious warm tea aid with indigestion, bloating, flatulence, nausea, cramps, irritable bowel syndrome, and other digestive discomfort. Teas that do not contain caffeine are also impeccable post-meal beverages to help settle your stomach.

Ginger Tea: This hot beverage is made by steeping ginger in hot water. It assists in breaking down food in the stomach by stimulating the production of saliva. Did you know that digestion begins in your mouth before even reaching the stomach? Saliva contains enzymes that break down complex carbohydrates as well as simple sugars, thus helping your stomach settle. This tisane is also believed to prevent nausea and impede motion sickness.

Lemon Tea: A cup of Lemon Tea is often partnered with ginger to bring instant relief to nausea, heartburn, and indigestion. If you have an upset stomach, Lemon Ginger Tea is your go-to beverage to ease uneasiness and pain. Lemon Tea alone contains citric acid that aids in healthy digestion of food. This refreshing tea also cleanses the liver and flushes out waste and toxins from the body, thanks to its antioxidant properties. You can add honey to create a perfect tonic for your stomach.

Peppermint Tea: This tea blend is made of mint leaves and hot water. It promotes healthy bowel movement by stimulating bile production. Bile is responsible for processing and digesting fats as well as removing toxins. Peppermint Tea is also a tummy soother, thanks to its carminative properties that prevent bloating, discomfort, and cramping of the stomach. As a plus, this infusion also aids in subduing nausea, irritable bowel syndrome, and flatulence.

Tip: For optimum results, drink tea before eating heavy meals.

The great thing about teas is that they come in different varieties: traditional Black Tea, Matcha Green Tea, Oolong Tea, Peppermint Tea, Green Tea, Lavender Tea, Chamomile Tea, and other herbal teas – the list goes on. But with so many teas to choose from, it can be overwhelming when making your selection. The tea guide above will help you find your perfect cup of tea that fits the types of mood you’re experiencing daily, during and even after quarantine.

 

Disclaimer

Keep in mind that what works for other people may not work for you. Find the right cup of tea or tea blend that improves your mood and performance. In case of pre-existing medical disorders or illnesses, always talk with a medical specialist or other healthcare providers before adding a warm and soothing cup of tea to your routine.

 

References: 

Kitchen Cabinet Kings | Pure Formulas Blog | Swanson Vitamins | We Heart It | Xtrema 

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