The decaffeinated herbal teas mentioned in this post for stress and anxiety can all help with sleep because of their calming effects. (This includes chamomile, peppermint, passionflower, and lemon balm.)
Best Tea for Sleep
Chamomile Tea: Chamomile tea has long been used as a bedtime tea because it is caffeine-free and helps induce sleep. It is also known to decrease stress and anxiety which can help you fall asleep quicker. Green Tea: Although green tea has caffeine, it can actually help you sleep.
The best stress-relieving drinks include ginger, chamomile tea, valerian, black tea, coconut water, milk, green tea, coffee, lemon balm tea, water, and vegetable and fruit juice. Aromatherapy is another self-soothing practice shown to have benefits for mental health. You can read more about it here.
Teas, including black, green, oolong, white, purple, and pu-erh, can all help fight symptoms of anxiety and stress. Since tea also contains caffeine, the combination of the caffeine and l-theanine is said to produce clarity and focus that helps soothe the mind and increase mental performance.
Drinks to avoid
Some drinks may help people sleep, but others can act as stimulants and keep people awake. These may include: coffee. caffeinated teas (green tea, black tea)
Some people experience a calming effect after drinking a warm, cup of tea before bedtime. At the same time, it's important to choose a tea that is free of sleep-disrupting caffeine. You should also avoid adding sugar to your tea before bedtime, since sugar can promote wakefulness.
Chamomile may make asthma worse, so people with asthma should not take it. Pregnant women should avoid chamomile because of the risk of miscarriage. If you are allergic to asters, daisies, chrysanthemums, or ragweed, you may also be allergic to chamomile.
Tea catechins — antioxidants such as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) — account for up to 42% of the dry weight of brewed green tea, and the amino acid l-theanine makes up around 3%. EGCG is thought to make people feel calmer and improve memory and attention when consumed on its own.
Breathe in, breathe out — repeat for a calm mind. Start with four breaths, breathing in through your nose for a count of four and out through your mouth for a count of eight. Cover your alarm clock, move your phone to the other room or put your smartwatch to sleep.
People with heart problems or high blood pressure, kidney problems, liver problems, stomach ulcers, and psychological disorders, particularly anxiety, should not take green tea. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should also avoid green tea.
On average, most people should stop drinking caffeine four to six hours before bed. People who are especially sensitive to this stimulant may want to stop earlier in the day or avoid caffeine altogether.
Black tea can be drunk in the evening. However, its high theine content can cause insomnia in the most sensitive people. It is then possible to replace it by green tea or rooibos infusion.
Results from multiple studies indicate that valerian — a tall, flowering grassland plant — may reduce the amount of time it takes to fall asleep and help you sleep better. Of the many valerian species, only the carefully processed roots of the Valeriana officinalis have been widely studied.
“Vitamins B, C, and (water soluble) magnesium have been impactful for many who have anxiety and depression. It's important to remember that supplements and medications are proven aids at decreasing symptoms.
Chamomile tea has many benefits, including improving heart health, supporting bone health, relieving menstrual pain, and calming anxiety. Chamomile can help with sleep and anxiety because it contains apigenin, a compound that has some of the same effects as benzodiazepines, an anti-anxiety medication.
If you're like millions of Americans and suffer from anxiety symptoms, drinking tea can help calm your nerves and prevent full-blown episodes or panic attacks. Certain teas directly target the nervous system to decrease stress hormones and boost mood.