Reduce Anxiety & Improve Your Gut Health - With Tea!
With the lack of sunlight, cooler mornings & nights, a jam-packed family schedule and a bustling business - time is of the essence. At times, things can get stressful in the Husband household.
With added stress comes a whole army of side effects - lack of sleep, late night snacking, mental fatigue and poor gut health to name a few. To add to this we collectively continue to dredge through the pandemic waters of the world.
Most of us are experiencing a level of disruption, chaos and uncertainty in our lives to some degree. It can be hard to know where to even begin. There is no one size fits all when it comes to self care, but there is no better time that now to take a few easy steps to bring back a sense of calm and regain control in our lives.
Knowing you are stressed and anxious, and then reading about all the things you need to do to reduce stress & anxiety can be counter-productive at times. Resulting in - yep, you guessed it! - more stress & anxiety. Sometimes the sheer thought of going for a brisk winter run outside to receive that quick boost of endorphins can be overwhelming, and it's really not going to happen in the reality of my day. The solution? Back to basics we go! Flick the jug on, and brew a cup of tea. Sounds simple? Well, it is!
The simple pause in time as I wait for the kettle to boil, the slow & steady steep of the tea leaves as I patiently watch the water infuse with colour, followed by the wafting scent of aromatic herbs. This process in itself allows me to slow down, take a breath or two, and focus on something other than my busy schedule - plus, I know it's going to ultimately make me feel better.
Not all tea is created equal. I was lucky enough to stumble across a hand-crafted tea made right here in New Zealand - the Better Tea Co. The Better Tea Co's owner, Tamarin, created these beautiful tea blends after facing similar stresses to myself. A fast paced corporate ladder was the perfect breeding ground for stress, anxiety and one unhappy gut. From her struggles, she took a deep dive into finding a solution - thus, Better Tea Co was formed! Lets take a peek at her two blends that have helped me reduce some unwanted stress & improve my overall gut health.
Anxietea
From a smooth first sip to final drop, you will feel centred by this well-balanced brew. Gentle herbs and spices create fullness and complexity with just a hint of sweet licorice root. A unique blend of herbal ingredients designed to bring your mind, body and soul back to a state of calm. Anxietea helps to lower your levels of stress hormones so you can centre your thinking.
Hypericum:
Uplifts and balances mood
Licorice root:
Fights adrenal exhaustion and soothes upset stomachs
Cinnamon: Naturally regulates blood sugar
Peppermint:
The menthol within peppermint leaves is an effective muscle relaxant
Nettle:
Contains potassium, magnesium, and iron
Raspberry leaf:
Rich in B-complex vitamins to help reduce stress
Rose petals:
Ancient Chinese medicine known to relieve insomnia and anxiousness
Gut Feelings
Healthy guts are the foundation of good mental wellbeing. How well we digest our food and absorb nutrients directly relates to our vitality and health, suggesting a two-way relationship between mental health and gut function. Referred to as the gut-brain axis, this connection acts like a phone line, meaning that our brain can communicate with the gut, but the gut can also communicate with the brain using the same axis. This is definitely a red-flag area for me and something I am continually working to improve.
Gut Feelings is a powerful, yet gentle blend of herbs specially formulated to support digestive health, and as a result our mental health, in a delicious and flavourful way.
Warming spices such as turmeric and ginger have been delicately blended with lemongrass, pineapple and field horsetail to help rebuild wellness from within. A sweet melody of petals from roses, daisies, cornflower and lavender will have you feeling radiant and well-digested.
We love making a brew anytime throughout the day at the Feather & Oak Headquarters, with a book before bedtime, or lounging in the afternoon Sunday sun. The Better Tea Co is dedicated to creating a community that openly supports good mental well-being with 5% of all profits go towards New Zealand Mental Health Foundation - which we think is pretty rad.
The teas are packaged in the prettiest of containers which adds to the whole lovely brewing experience. I was also super impressed with the refill packages, tea strainers and organic re-usable cotton tea bags.
I look forward to hearing how you enjoy your The Better Tea Co brew and the positive change it may bring to your day. Remember to take a moment to breathe, enjoy the small experiences in your day such as making a simple cup of tea and check in with your besties.
