There’s are no two ways about it; these are stressful times. With 85% of Americans currently under some form of lockdown as a result of the coronavirus, we need to be more self-aware when it comes to our mental health and wellbeing than ever before. One excellent method for relieving stress and boosting your mood is the act of brewing and drinking tea.

It’s an ancient tradition that has been followed devoutly across many Asian countries for thousands of years, and more recently, in European countries such as England. But why does it have such a positive effect on us? Let’s take a look at the science to find out.

Drinking Tea Lowers Stress

The tea plant (Camellia sinensis) has long been espoused for its calming effect, but it hasn’t been until relatively recently that scientists have begun to investigate precisely why that is. A study conducted by University College London discovered that drinking tea lowers levels of the stress hormone cortisol after completing a stressful task.

Participants were split up into two groups, one that drunk tea, and another that drank a placebo. Levels of the stress hormone cortisol fell to 53% of baseline levels within 50 minutes of the stressful task for the tea-drinking participants, compared to 73% of the baseline for another group that were given a placebo. The tea drinkers also said they felt more relaxed than did those who drank the placebo.

While tea drinking has been scientifically-proven to reduce stress levels, there’s also an increasing body of research that suggests that the ritual of brewing and drinking tea is just as beneficial as drinking it.

Embracing the Tea-Making Ritual is Just as Beneficial

Daily tea ceremonies are ingrained within Japanese culture. For centuries, the Japanese have viewed daily tea rituals as a way to instill excellent characteristics such as manners, respect, appreciation, discipline, and humbleness. Scientists studying these rituals have uncovered that there are health benefits associated with the ritual of making a pot of tea itself.

It turns out the social context of drinking tea is crucial to its beneficial influence. Researchers have found that the peacefulness of brewing tea and consuming it in quiet, relaxed settings improves the mood of those who participate in tea-making ceremonies. Taking your time over brewing tea, as the Japanese and English do, is one sure-fire way to reduce the outside noise and immerse yourself into a quasi-meditative sate.

Tea Doesn’t Just Reduce Stress — It’s Also Great for Your Mood and Mental Health

The mental health benefits of drinking and making tea aren’t restricted to reducing stress. Researchers have found that two critical ingredients contained within most tea varieties have positive effects on our mental health and mood.

One is the antioxidant epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which accounts for up to 42% of the dry weight of brewed green tea. The other is the amino acid L-theanine, which, by contrast, makes up around 3%. EGCG is proven to make people feel calmer and improve memory and attention when consumed on its own. L-theanine has been found in other studies to have a similar effect on cognition and mood when consumed in combination with caffeine.

Finally, drinking tea has been proven to help keep mental conditions at bay, which at the moment is more crucial than ever. In a study carried out by South Korean researchers, it was found that those who habitually drank green tea were 21% less likely to develop depression over their lifetime than those who were non-drinkers. In fact, it had the same beneficial effect on depression as 2.5 hours of exercise per week.

Take Advantage of the Health Benefits of Brewing and Drinking Tea Today

As demonstrated, the health benefits associated with both the ritual of making tea and the drink itself are undeniable. At a time when stress levels are likely to be at all-time highs, there’s no better time to try your hand at brewing your own tea to instill a sense of calm and improved mood.

Here at Estero Bay Olive Oil & Tea, we have a wide range of both caffeinated and decaffeinated teas for you to try. For instance, why not try our Ayurvedic Calming tea which contains sweet cinnamon and lavender to help you relax. With no caffeine, this presents a perfect tea ritual to perform before bed.

Or why not try the soothing tones of Egyptian Chamomile tea? The Essential oils in the flowers produce a soothing, pleasant aroma and a fruity character that’s bound to leave you feeling stress-free!

If you want to browse our extensive tea library, simply visit our online shop here. Also, if you’re brewing at home, don’t forget to use our patented perfect tea maker for the best possible brew!