Sip & Soothe: Healing Teas for Stress, Sleep, and Self-Care

Tea, aka Chai in many countries, is a ritual taken very seriously. Here in Morocco, tea is part of daily life and is a special time of the day for many. Most of the tea we have had here is just mint tea with sugar, honey or lemon added.

Honestly, I have always loved mint tea and often would buy mint and make it at home with my tea diffuser. Even when we lived in St. Croix, we grew a chocolate mint bush to make tea and it was delicious! The best tea in the Virgin Islands/Caribbean is called bush tea because it is made from whatever herb plants growing in your yard like lemongrass, basil, mint, etc.

There are so many varieties of teas because there are an abundance of herbs! Typically the types of teas can be broke down by the origin or caffeine level.

Black tea - high caffeine level

Oolong tea - medium/high caffeine level

Green tea - medium caffeine level

White tea - low caffeine level

Yellow tea - low caffeine level

Red tea - no caffeine

Herbal tea - no caffeine

The best calming teas are usually herbal and contain ingredients like chamomile, lavender, peppermint/mint, lemon balm, rose and passion flower.

If you want to create a ritual around your tea, you can follow these steps below or make your own:

1. Start by setting your intentions for the ritual or for your day ahead

2. Put water in the tea kettle and light the fire to boil

3. Place herbs/leaves in a diffuser or strainer

4. Set up space to drink tea for meditation, journaling or yoga practice

5. Once water is boiling turn off fire and pour water into diffuser, let it steep for about 5 minutes

6. Pour your tea into a cup or mug and let it cool

7. Take a deep breath in, exhale and let go of all stress

8. Slowly sip tea and enjoy your day!

   
   

Tea is great to drink alone in the morning before your day begins, but it is also great to share with friends and family for connection. In many cultures, tea is offered as a sign of hospitality and shows respect. The art of drinking tea is a pillar of many civilizations and communities around the world because it is a time to breathe, relax and connect to yourself and others.

No matter what type of tea you drink or if you drink coffee, know that you can find stillness in your ritual regardless. Finding your peace can be done in many ways, and a tea ritual is just one of those great ways to try out.

Always remember, it’s a great day to be alive!

You are love & light, shine bright as you are, a star 💫