Does a Cup of Tea in the Evening Help you Sleep Better?

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A good night’s sleep is often underrated and is more vital than ever in today’s stressful environment. Especially with all the uncertainty in the air, it is even more important that you get a good night’s rest.

The Mayo Clinic states that “lack of sleep can affect your immune system. Studies show that people who don’t get quality sleep or enough sleep are more likely to get sick after being exposed to a virus”

Sleep contributes significantly to our overall health and wellbeing and provides our bodies with the opportunity to prepare for a new day. Importantly, not having enough sleep can increase the duration of illness. Adequate sleep can also:

1. decrease stress,
2. promotes heart health,
3. improves memory and focus.
4. assist in weight loss, and
5. reduce the risk of depression.

Experts recommend between 7 and 9 hours of sleep a night for adults. Unfortunately, not all of us are fortunate enough to drift off to sleep as soon as our heads hit the pillow!

A soothing cup of tea can be beneficial at any time of the day or night, and research has shown that a soothing cup of tea can help you relax and unwind, therefore promoting a good night’s rest. Tea has been recognised for centuries as a natural sleep remedy.

Green teas such as Rujani’s Emerald, Exotica Flat and Rose Green are wonderful health-promoters with a multitude of benefits, including their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities, aiding to induce sleep. Green teas contain theanine, an amino acid known to reduce stress-related hormones and aiding in helping you relax, ultimately leading to sleep.

Research has shown that drinking up to four cups of low-caffeine tea during the day can improve your sleep quality and help to reduce stress and fatigue. Tea is lower in caffeine than most other beverages, and white tea is the lowest in caffeine. The compounds in tea are known to activate chemical reactions in our nervous system that support our body to relax.

Alongside tea’s calming properties to help you unwind, the actual brewing process itself can also be a relaxing experience. At a time like this, when we are being forced to #stayhome, it’s useful to practice slow food. Brewing loose leaf tea overusing tea bags is such a wonderful experience, and will help you calm down before even drinking the tea. The sound of the water boiling, look at the quality loose leaf in the pot, take in the aromas as the tea brews. Slow down! Enjoy the complete experience!

Remember, though, for a good night’s rest it’s important to drink a tea that is low in caffeine or caffeine-free. Particular teas help to wake you up and keep you focused, whereas others can help you achieve a better night’s sleep. Try drinking white tea, such as Silky Silver Needle or Bai Mudan (literally white peony), which are very low in caffeine and will help you with winding down. Both these teas are mellow and calming.

So, before relying on medications or other sleep aids, try a soothing cup of tea both during the day and before bed to enjoy a peaceful night’s slumber. Settle into your favourite chair, or even prop up in bed, and mindfully unwind and enjoy your tea-drinking experience.

If you’re unsure which of Rujani’s loose leaf teas are natural sleep inducers, feel free to send us a quick email, and we’ll happily answer your questions.

Buy our green teas or white teas today to help you sleep better.