How Green Tea Can Make You Feel Like Your Best Self

Self-care is often the first thing sacrificed when our schedules get busy. However, taking time for yourself doesn’t need to be indulgent – sometimes it’s small acts that make all the difference. 

A popular small act of self-care is drinking green tea. Deciding to take a break with a tea can be a great way to soothe your mind, plus it comes with plenty of great benefits that will have you feeling like your best self. 

What Is Green Tea?

Whether you’re a tea-lover or a newbie to brews, there’s no doubt you’ve heard about green tea. Green teas are derived from the camellia sinensis plant family, with different types varying from the popular matcha to gunpowder and sencha. While they differ in taste, green teas tend to have a mellow flavor. 

Green tea is the most popular in China and Japan, where it’s cultivated, it’s popularity has gone global, with many people hearing about the benefits. Here are some of the other ways green tea can make you feel like your best self.

How To Brew Your Perfect Cup

When brewing your green tea, keep in mind that steeping in water that’s too hot or for too long can result in a bitter taste. It’s best to prepare your brew in water around 180 degrees Fahrenheit or around 82 degrees Celsius for around three minutes.

Now that you know how to brew it, here are some of the ways green tea can make you feel like your best self.

Energy Boost To Start Your Day

Green tea does still contain caffeine, however it’s considerably lower than black tea and coffee. One cup of green tea contains about 30mgf caffeine, which is about ⅓ of the caffeine in a regular cup of coffee. These lower levels are great for giving you a boost, without that post-coffee slump.

If you want an energy boost to start your day, can go with a green tea that contains naturally occurring caffeine combined with herbs, or one that provides a slow release of energy. This will keep you going throughout the day, without experiencing those caffeine-related jitters or needing a caffeine or sugary top-up later. 

A Natural Stress-Reliever

As well as helping you take a break and clear your mind, green tea can relieve stress. 

Some green teas contain L-Theanine, an amino acid that has been shown to lower stress and anxiety. Others are combined with herbal and floral ingredients, such as peppermint or jasmine, which can provide a calming aroma to breathe in as you drink.

As well as relieving stress, they may also help you wind down for the night. While you shouldn’t drink a cup right before bed, sipping on green tea throughout the day can help you relax and unwind as the day progresses, so you’re ready for that much-needed sleep at night – another important form of self-care to practice. 

It Can Help With Weight Loss 

While nothing beats a healthy and balanced diet paired with regular exercise, green tea may help you lose weight (if you’re trying to lose it).

Some research suggests that the caffeine and catechin (an antioxidant) in some green teas may help with weight loss, as they both increase metabolism, and catechin can burn fat. Plus, these brews are generally low in calories. 

While the verdict is still out on the exact science behind these teas, they’re definitely a great alternative if you love to drink sugary or sweet drinks! Plus, it’s a great way to boost your water intake and help keep your metabolism awake. 

 It’s Great For Your Skin

While the polyphenols in green tea may protect you against cancer, it may also help in keeping your skin clear.

Polyphenols have been proven to have anti-inflammatory properties. When it comes to your skin, it can reduce the amount of sebum (body oil) you produce, which may prevent acne and skin irritation. While your skin may clear up with a daily cup of green tea, green tea masks and scrubs are also becoming popular. 

The anti-inflammatory properties of green tea are great for helping reduce skin irritation, redness and swelling.

While extra research is still needed to unlock the true benefits of green tea, you can’t go wrong with a cup of this delightful brew. Whether you’re trying to cut back on your caffeine intake, or simply up your daily water with a low calorie drink, green tea can help you feel like your best self. Even taking the time out to sip a cup is the perfect way to slow down and have a minute to yourself to practice self-care.