The world of today rushes by us at such a fast pace, often making us feel like we’re trapped in a whirlwind of stress and chaos. We are barely able to balance the multitude of responsibilities thrust upon us and it can be quite difficult to find time for proper rest and relaxation.
In times like these, it’s important to create moments of calm – so your body, mind and soul are able to get some essential healing. Enter green tea – the soothing elixir that warms you deep down and also improves your mental well-being. Whether you live in the bustling city or way out in the countryside, a cup of green tea is sure to grant you amazing benefits to reduce stress, and gain overall peace of mind and body.
A Peek At The Science Behind Green Tea’s Benefits
1. L-Theanine Magic
The exotic taste of green tea is created by a component called L-Theanine, which is a unique amino acid found abundantly mainly in plants. L-Theanine also responsible for that calming feeling you get after consuming a cup of green tea.
The best part is that you can enjoy a good rest without feeling sleepy, as it promotes relaxation without inducing drowsiness (which often happens with coffee). L-Theanine sends signals to your brain’s neurotransmitters, which promotes alpha brain waves to send you into a calm and focused state.
2. Antioxidant Powerhouse
Green tea can be considered a superhero in disguise due to its wonderful plant-based antioxidants. These antioxidants called catechins can help protect your brain cells from oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can cause brain cell damage which could lead to significant memory loss or other mentally-related diseases like dementia.
These catechins not only shield your neurons but can also boost cognitive function and memory. In addition, they can help reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, liver issues and obesity. Now that’s what we call a superhero!
3. Dopamine Boost
Dopamine plays a vital role when it comes to controlling memory, mood, sleep, learning, concentration, movement and other important functions of our bodies. The antioxidants in green tea help enhance dopamine in the brain so your mood stays positive and happy for longer periods. Now that’s a win for Team Green Tea!
Additional Benefits of Green Tea
- Got a stressful task to complete and need something to take the edge off? Green tea helps you recover much faster from an extremely mentally-taxing chore.
- Making a ritual of preparing and drinking green tea, by yourself or with friends and loved ones, can be a wonderful and relaxing time for everyone. You get to take a well-deserved break and interact with others, which helps your mind to become calm and regulated.
- Work that requires a lot of brain power need the mind to be fuelled up. Green tea can help to maintain steady glucose levels so your mind receives a smooth supply of energy.
Best Time To Drink Green Tea
Some people prefer to have a cup of green tea on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. However, this may not be ideal as it could cause acidity in the stomach or other tummy troubles.
Many recommend drinking a cup of green tea in the morning – 1 to 2 hours after breakfast, or in the afternoon – 1 to 2 hours after lunch as the optimal times. Consume green day daily to experience long-term positive effects on your mental health and overall well-being.
Ready to add green tea to your schedule and reap remarkable benefits for your mental well-being?
