If you visit my home, you can be forgiven for being slightly bewildered when I offer you a drink…if your choice is tea, I can offer green tea, black tea, matcha (and you’ll be invited to take the rest of that jar home with you), Herbal, Assam, Earl Grey, Lady Grey, Lapsang Souchong, Oolong, Chai latte…I often comment that I was born drinking tea…and I still continue to enjoy my cups of tea, spread throughout the day.
Tea is grown in over 35 countries, with nearly 75% being grown in China, India, Sri Lanka and Kenya. 
Tea is harvested from the evergreen Camelia Sinensis bush, and it’s leaves are plucked every 7-14 days. The leaves are dried, rolled, oxidated and fired within 24 hours. Green teas are processed without the oxidation stage.
Here in the UK, we have been drinking tea, which has it’s origins in China, since the 1650s, when it was regarded as an elite prized possession. It wasn’t until the 18th Century that it became a widespread drink, and tea ceremonies became popular. Today it still remains our most popular drink.
As well as being a long established traditional antidote to shock, bad news and distress, a few (no more than four) cups of tea drunk each day can potentially have several health benefits, although more conclusive evidence is needed. Studies suggest potential benefits including reduced stress and a reduced risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and diabetes. It can be a social experience or a way to reach out to somebody and, of course, it counts towards our daily water intake.
A long-standing British tradition is the tea break, usually taken mid-morning and mid-afternoon. 
Research (Lyubykh, Gulseren, 2023) suggests that taking regular breaks improves productivity, reduces stress and increases creativity. Shorter breaks are more effective in the morning while longer breaks are more beneficial in the afternoon, when energy is starting to flag. If you find it difficult to focus on completing a project, maybe allow a set amount of time, for example 25 minutes, to focus on work, followed by a 5 minutes break, which allows time to make a cup of tea and bring it back to the workplace.
So, how do we make the perfect cup of tea? The website hopeandglorytea.com suggests;
- Ideally the tea should be brewed in a pot, which should be clean
- Use fresh water; re-boiling water reduces it’s oxygen content
- Warm the pot with a small amount of boiling water
- Use good quality tea, and allow one teaspoon per person and one “for the pot”
- Use boiling water for black tea, and slightly cooler water for the more delicate green teas
- Do not leave to brew as this can give a “stewed” taste
- It can be enjoyed with a slice of lemon, or with or without milk
For a relaxing experience, set aside a specific time during the morning or afternoon. 
You can use a mug with a humorous or affirmational message, or a pretty cup and saucer. Strong breakfast tea can be an energising and refreshing way to start the day, while decaffeinated tea in the evening is a lovely way to relax and wind down.
I hope you have found my article interesting. Tea can be good for relieving anxiety and stress but, if you feel I can offer a little more help, please contact me. Shall we put the kettle on?
debbie@backontrackhypnotherapy.co.uk
07375 122742
Resource references
Godman, H, (February 1, 2025), Does drinking tea really help health?, available at: https://www.harvardhealth.edu
Lafhaj, S, (May 20, 2024), Steeped in history: Tea drinking in Britain, available at: https://www.londonmuseum.org.uk
Lyubykh,Z, Gulseren, D, (2023), How to take better breaks at work, available at: https://www.blog.lboro.ac.uk
Author unknown, (Jan 28, 2016), A perfect cup of tea: the golden rules, available at: https://www.hopeandglorytea.com
Author and date of article unknown, How is tea made? available at: https://www.twinings.co.uk