Feature Image by Aidana Khabdesh
It goes without saying: 2020 has been stressful. While it’s never been more important to prioritize our mental and physical health, in the desperate search for stress relief, it can be easy to overlook our herbal allies.
A warm cup of soothing tea can do wonders to take the edge off anxieties. Plus, certain tea blends are known to target the nervous system, which helps decrease stress hormones. Brew a cup or two as an easy way to ritualize your self-care routine and sip your way to lower stress levels.
Lavender
There’s a reason why lavender reminds you of yoga studios: nothing can make you feel quite as zen as the scent of this purple flower. As one of the most popular herbal remedies for anxiety and stress, lavender is one of the best calming teas.
Passionflower
Though a Hawaii vacation may be out of the question, the tropical passionflower vine has long been used to calm the mind. Particularly helpful for insomnia – its compounds are said to help prevent overthinking – this dried flower makes for a fragrant and calming brew.
Chamomile
Chamomile is the quintessential calming herb — and for good reason! This daisy-like flower contains apigenin, a substance that supports sleep, relieves anxiety, and may even help reduce depression.
Lemon balm
Lively and invigorating with a subtle tart flavor, lemon balm can boost your mood and offer stress relief at the end of a long workday.
Peppermint
The refreshing aroma and flavor of peppermint makes it a beloved tea to increase relaxation and uplift the senses. Bonus: Peppermint has been used for centuries to ease digestion, which can be particularly helpful if you find yourself stress eating.
Rose
Consider swapping the glass of rosé for a mug of a sweet, delicate rose tea. The flavonoids present in its petals can directly target the production of the stress hormone cortisol. It’s also loaded with vitamin C, which can help increase immunity if you’re feeling particularly worn out from stress.
xx, The FabFitFun Team
