For one, Ive never really enjoyed the smell of herbal tea, let alone the taste.
Nevertheless, as I’ve matured, so have my taste buds.
So when I got this assignment in my inbox, I said: What the heck, sure."
Verywell Mind / Michela Buttignol / Getty Images
Alas, I was up for the experience.
Herbal teas like lavender or passionflower, meanwhile, are excellent for relaxation without drowsiness, Dr. Tovar adds.
They also offer additional benefits not found in coffee.
This combination provides a smoother, more sustained energy boost without the crashes often associated with coffee.
I had my first cup of Earl Grey tea with oat milk.
I felt the effects immediately, energized for most of the morning and early afternoon.
I hit a caffeine crashor what felt like one.
To experiment a little, I opted for a coconut matcha latte on the restaurants menu.
Day 3
On Thursday, I began my day bright and early at 7 a.m.
I was feeling fine until around 1 p.m. when I hit a bit of a slump.
Day 4
On Friday, things started to get complicated.
After three days of not drinking espresso, I was beginning to feel symptoms ofcaffeine withdrawal.
I made myself another cup of earl grey teaabout six hours after my usual morning cup.
The second cup definitely re-energized me and helped alleviate my headache for a few hours, too.
Day 5
As it was Saturday, I had a later start to the day than usual.
Should You Drink Tea for Energy?
It really depends on what youre looking for.
Due to its higher caffeine content, some people prefer coffee to boost energy, says Dr. Bigelow.
If youre looking to make the switch, Dr. Bigelow recommends starting off with matcha tea.
Feeling Sluggish?
While tea is generally an antioxidant-rich alternative to coffee, sometimes what your body needs isnt a quick-fix drink.
Lastly, considerbreathworkand meditation to deal with everyday life stressors.
Mindful Moment
Need a breather?
For longer-term mental health benefits, I also rely on therapy and dailygratitude journaling.
As someone who enjoys a sugary latte for the flavor more than anything, I couldnt agree more.
Everyone has their comfort beverage, and coffee is simply my bias.
& Panossian, A.G. (2016).Rhodiola roseaL.
as a putative botanical antidepressant.Phytomedicine, 23(7), 770-783. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2016.02.009.
& Bastos De Maria, C.A.
