One of my favorite escapes is brewing a cup of steaming tea, grabbing a fluffy blanket, and snuggling on the couch with a good book. A cup of tea is not just a drink, it is an experience. It can be used to wake yourself up after a late night, relax after a challenging day, heal you when you’re not feeling well, and a way to join together with friends and family. For me, 2021 is all about wellness and self-care, and I can’t think of an easier way that with a cup of tea. Here are some easy ways to incorporate tea into your wellness routine:
WHY DRINK TEA?
Depending on the type of tea you choose, there can be many benefits of drinking tea:
Wonderful way to relax and unwind.
Counting calories? Have a cup of tea when you feel like snacking.
Anti-inflammatory.
Ease a stomach ache and aid in digestion.
Reduce stress.
Get some caffeine in you without drinking coffee.
Strengthen your immune system.
Blood flow and circulation.
Use as part of a cleanse.
Sitting and chatting with friends.
Unplug and recharge.
HOW TO MAKE A PERFECT CUP OF TEA:
- CHOOSING THE RIGHT TEA: Decide what you want to get out of this cup of tea and choose the tea that fits best. Will you make loose tea or a bagged tea?
- CUPS MATTER: I swear…I think certain tea tastes better in specific cups. I feel like I’m affected by the shape and material of the cup. There’s a huge difference between drinking out of a heavy mug and a dainty cup with a dish under it.
- HOW WILL YOU BREW? Will you be using a tea pot? Will you boil water and put it in a tea brewer? Personally, I never use a Keurig to heat my water. I don’t find it to be hot enough.
- CHILLY CLEAN WATER: Some people swear by distilled water, however since my water is filtered, I find that works just fine. I always start with cold water and never use the old water that may still be in the tea pot.
- TEA TEMPS: Check to see what the suggested water temperature should be. It will vary according to the type of tea.
- BREW TIME: Make sure you read what the suggested brew time is. This is the most important part. Over brewing or under brewing can ruin it.
- SWEETENER? Take a sip of your tea and decide if it needs a sweetener? I often add a little bit of local honey but I never add sugar. Depending on the type of tea I sometimes add a drop of cream or almond milk.
HOW TO INCORPORATE TEA INTO A WELLNESS ROUTINE:
Find a cozy spot and drink while reading a book.
Put your phone away and drink a cup in bed.
Combine it with almond milk to create a tasty latte.
Dim the lights, take a few sips, and do a guided meditation.
Use it to create a DIY face mask.
Switch to tea in the morning instead of your usual coffee.
Create tea salt and sprinkle on your food.
Use it to create a face mist.
Enjoy a cup while in a warm bath.
Bring it outside, enjoy the view, and take some deep breaths of fresh air.
Make it into iced tea to get more water intake throughout your day.
Place some tea bags in your bath for a nice soak.
HOW DO YOU INCORPORATE TEA INTO YOUR WELLNESS ROUTINE?
Coming up later this week…
My favorite tea products!
My favorite tea companies!