Steeping Calm: How Tea Can Help Alleviate Stress and Enhance Well-Being

Disclaimer: While there are scientific studies performed on the subject, data remains limited. This means that the data pool is very limited.

Tea is a widespread drink that is present in many different cultures. It is an inherent part of many meals. It can be enjoyed paired with savory sandwiches or sweet scones. However, it has more benefits than just its soothing taste.

Tea originated in China for its medicinal benefits. It helped with concentration during meditation and spread to Japan through its use by Japanese monks. In Japan, tea was used in social gatherings much like wine tasting is used in modern day: people would get together and attempt to distinguish regional teas by taste.

In a 2006 study that examined the effects of black tea on cortisol level after stress, it was found that consuming black tea significantly reduced cortisol levels in adult males compared to a placebo. This study was ruled by an attempt to understand the effects of tea on the human body, specifically on the psychological and physiological response to stress. It proved one thing that avid tea drinkers already knew: tea does reduce stress.

This effect is not limited to black tea. As the caffeine level in black tea is one of the highest with 60-75mg. This is still a large amount of stimulant. The “calming effect" of tea can be seen even more with teas like green tea (15-30mg), white tea (10-15mg), and herbal tea, which has no caffeine at all. Despite these statistics, black tea has a significantly lower amount of caffeine than the average cup of coffee, which has 125-150mg of caffeine.

Tea has many benefits, aside from lowering cortisol levels: tea can reduce anxiety symptoms, decrease depression rates, lower risks of stroke and dementia, and, as such, improve cognitive function. Aside from the warmth from the tea, the compounds within the tea also induce relaxation. Polyphenols, that are found in plant-based teas, are anti-inflammatory agents. I-theanine helps the body produce “feel-good neurochemicals like serotonin, dopamine, and GABA”. Ironically, since tea has moderate amounts of caffeine, it balances the overstimulation that large amounts of caffeine can induce. Thus, instead of being jumpy, the caffeine in tea makes people feel “calm and alert”.

Aside from the teas listed in this blog, there are many other types of tea. They all have different qualities, and as such, can be tailored to personal preference. Regardless of the type of tea, they all have relaxing qualities. So, if you ever feel like exams are stressing you out, drink a cup of tea and relax. 

Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17013636/ https://www.adagio.com/info/caffeine_and_tea.html https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1003830 https://cerebral.com/blog/relaxing-teas-for-stress-anxiety-digestion-and-sleep https://my.wlu.edu/japanese-tearoom/the-way-of-tea/origins