Many people are always “go, go, go,” and even if you make the healthier choice to drink tea instead of coffee and soda, you might not have time to enjoy it. Tea time, purposefully slowly drinking your tea, is a tradition around the world. Incorporate it into your daily routine for a few minutes of “me time” each day. You need only set aside 10 to 15 minutes in the morning, at lunch, right after work or toward the end of the day.
Opt for Green Tea
When choosing a tea for tea time, you can’t go wrong with green tea. Although not as popular as black tea, green tea is better for you. The health benefits of green tea will make taking time to drink at least one cup a day not only the best choice for your state of mind, but also the best choice for your body’s health. Green tea is high in antioxidants and its benefits include:
- Making your immune system stronger,
- Improving the function of organs such as the liver and the pancreas,
- Slowing down the skin’s natural aging process, decreasing the risk of premature wrinkles.
Green tea has been the tea of choice for thousands of years in China, Japan and Korea. Its bold flavor and rich aroma will boost your mood as you relax.
Choose a Quiet Place
Ambiance plays a role in how relaxing your tea time will be. If possible, choose a quiet place to enjoy your tea, away from the hustle and bustle of work and the conversations of other people. If it’s not possible and you find yourself trying to drink tea in the work break room or one room away from your energetic children, wear headphones and play relaxing instrumental music to make the area feel calmer. The fewer distractions, the better you’ll be able to focus on enjoying your time alone.
Indulge in an Energy-Boosting Snack
Tea time in the England typically includes a snack such as scones, small cakes and watercress sandwiches. Tea time in Japan might pair tea with rice crackers and mocha cakes. Eating small snacks along with your tea not only gives you an energy boost, but it also helps complement the flavor of your drink. Indulge in a small dessert, or if you’re trying to eat healthy, pair your tea with a fresh fruit salad.
Use a Fancy Tea Cup
Tea time in a plain foam cup isn’t ideal. Even if you have to smuggle your own mug to work to make it happen, you’ll feel more relaxed when you cradle a beautiful porcelain mug in your hands. Subconsciously, your mind will see the mug after a while as a signal of the relaxation to come. Having a fancy tea cup — perhaps even with a saucer — will make the time you set aside to enjoy your tea feel more special.
Shut Off Your Electronics
You can’t live in the moment with distractions, so turn off your phone and tablet during tea time. Don’t just put them on silent — shut them off and put them aside. Your sole focus for the next few minutes is to drink and observe the scene around you. This will prove more appealing if you can sit outside or by a window with a view, but even if you’re stuck looking at plain white walls, you can benefit from closing your eyes and picturing a peaceful place.
Feel the tea release the tension from your shoulders. Breathe in and out, focusing on nothing but your breath and the sensations you feel from the world around you. By the time tea time is over and you pick up your phone again, you’ll feel more energized and less overwhelmed.
If it’s too warm out to drink hot tea, or you’re not a fan of warm drinks, pour your fresh-brewed tea over ice. The Tea Association of the U.S.A., Inc., reports more than half of the U.S. population drinks tea every day, and 85 percent of that tea is iced tea. What’s important is you’re slowing down to relax and enjoy your tea as it’s meant to be enjoyed, not grabbing a bottle of pre-made drink on the go. After just a few short days with your new “tea time” routine, you’ll have a newfound respect for your time.
