How Drinking Tea Can Relieve Anxiety
There are many ways to treat an anxiety disorder. Some people use drugs, yoga, acupuncture, vitamins and the list goes on. But did you know that drinking tea can help relieve anxiety?
Tea contains a unique anxiety reducing amino acid called L-Theanine. The irony is that tea has roughly half the caffeine of coffee. Nonetheless, people that drink tea often say that they get a calming effect after having a cup.
In addition to reducing anxiety, studies have shown that L-Theanine may be effective in promoting concentration, strengthening the immune system, lowering blood pressure, and increasing the formation of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA (an amino acid that suppresses anxiety). It’s also thought to increase dopamine levels, while having no known side-effects.
So, how do we know that tea is safe to drink in quantity? Well, for starters, tea is the most consumed beverage worldwide after water and has been consumed for thousands of years. Plus, studies on rats have shown that consuming high doses of L-Theanine has no harmful effects.
To get the full effect of L-Theanine in tea it’s recommended that you have 1-3 cups of tea daily. This is yet another natural remedy that you can throw into your anti-anxiety tool box. It’s also a reminder that anxiety relief is everywhere if you know where to look for it.
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This is interesting to hear, and always good to know something else that can help reduce your anxiety. Thanks for the info Paul
chamomile is my comfort in the morning…and swiss vervaine melange herbal tea in the evening. This tea helps soothe your body and nerves and calms your mind. It definitely helps me sleep better at night and the taste is great!
Hi Dan, Thanks. I’m always on the lookout for ANYTHING that is safe and helpful.
Hey Ria, Thanks for the tip. There are so many types of tea… hmmm have to write about that someday.
I never knew that tea actually had a chemical in it that reduced anxiety. I just know that it soothes me, so that is cool that now I understand the science behind it.
It’s funny I feel that drinking tea and taking a bath are very similar in the way that you are soothed by the heat and the smell of the herbs which also relax and comfort your body. I am a big fan of baths as well in case you couldn’t tell
I am a long-time anxiety sufferer (20 years or so), but recently officially diagnosed with anxiety disorder. While trying to stay medication free, I have given up pretty much all caffeine, but if good effects of tea outweigh the effects of caffeine, I’ll have to try this out. Thanks Paul.
I avoid caffeine like the plague. Always find it gets me wired and nervous. Instead I tend to drink red bush or rooibus tea which is pretty good. Also I have decaf green tea which seems to do teh trick as well. I tried chamomile for a while but I think it might have given me palpitations…I’m not sure on this one but I have a strong suspision.
Hi Al, Andy has a great point; Tea does come in decaffeinated form. So if caffeine doesn’t sit well with you then you can still enjoy a cup.
Nice save Andy, I totally forgot about the Decaf.
im nineteen years old and a new sufferer of anxiety and panic attacks, and ive searched for EVERY natural way to help me calm myself down and unwind because i dont believe in taking medications, and i find that chamomile tea helps so much when im feeling like i cant fall asleep. it feels like it completely unwinds my nerves and my mind. but im always looking for any new teas that work to relax(:
I discovered a new tea fir a little pick me up called Ginseng Vitality Rooibos. It’s from Teavana(I really love this place) it has zesty ginger root and soothing St. John’s Wort. It taste great hot or cold. It really helps me with my mood. I feel so energized after I drink it. give it a shot!
I find that drinking Valerian tea with a little honey really helps to me to relax before bedtime. I’ll be trying Chamomile next….
I am a long time sufferer of depression and anxiety. Anxiety is so high right now that I am about to jump out of my skin! I will for sure try the tea tonight. Crossing fingers.
I am going to start drinking tea now because I feel anxious all the time. Good article