World Mental Health Day (October 10), we want to lift a cup of tea every day to all the individuals who strive hard to navigate their lives while living with mental health issues, such as depression, schizophrenia, anxiety, mood swings, and other challenges. We also salute all the mental health professionals who work hard to help those who seek assistance.
Most of all, we want to emphasize the importance of good mental health and discuss several tools everyone can use to support it.
Mental health today
The theme for World Mental Health Day is “Make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority.” This focus, which was set by the World Federation for Mental Health, is “Make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority. This focus is especially poignant and critical now, given the stress and anxiety surrounding the recent global health crisis.
According to the World Health Association, individuals with severe mental health conditions die as much as 20 years early due to preventable physical conditions. In 2019, approximately 970 million people (1 in 8) worldwide lived with depression and anxiety disorders or other mental health conditions, such as bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, autism, and schizophrenia. Most of these individuals don’t have access to effective care.
Read about 10 lifestyle changes that will boost your mental health
For guidance on supporting, protecting, and managing your own mental health challenges, see Our Best Mental Health Tips Backed by Research, which is the work of the Mental Health Foundation. Some of the tips (with research to back them) include spending more time in nature, talking with someone you trust for support, doing volunteer work and other acts of kindness, being aware of any use of drugs or alcohol, planning things to look forward to, and adopting a healthy diet.
Cup of tea, anyone?
Sometimes the little things in life can mean a great deal. Take a cup of tea, for example. For many years, scientists have been evaluating the effects of tea on our health, including mental health, and the findings have been enlightening. According to psychopharmacologist Andrew Scholey at Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia, “Tea is calming, but alerting at the same time.” This paradoxical effect means individuals may derive two seemingly opposite benefits from tea.
Read about the best teas for brain health
That’s not to say that tea is a magic potent. Neuropsychiatrist Stefan Borgwardt of the University of Basel in Switzerland notes, "It’s important not to overestimate the effects.” However, since about one-third of people with depression and anxiety never find a therapy that works for them, adding a natural remedy that may offer some relief is welcome.
Mental health benefits of tea
Scientists have seen some positive results among individuals who consume tea versus those who do not. In a study of nearly 9,700 adults, the authors found that those who drank at least three cups of green tea per week had a 21 percent lower prevalence of depression than their peers who did not drink the tea.
L-theanine is an amino acid found in high amounts in green tea (especially Matcha) and in lesser amounts in black, white, and oolong. A 2016 study found that participants who consumed 200 milligrams of L-theanine daily (that’s the amount found in eight cups of tea) showed lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol and were more relaxed after participating in stressful tasks than those who consumed a placebo. Proof of the relaxing effects were seen on magnetoencephalography, which shows brain activity. The benefits of L-theanine may be associated with its ability to pass through the blood-brain barrier and directly impact the brain. It also has an effect on the body’s stress response system by reducing cortisol and perhaps enhancing gamma-aminobutyric acid levels, which lowers anxiety.
If you are looking for better focus and attention, then the EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) in major green tea levels may help. Research shows that consuming EGCG can result in a relaxed yet attentive state of mind. Like L-theanine, it can pass through the blood-brain barrier and enhance cognitive function.
Several herbal teas have also been shown to impact mood and help with relaxation and focus. Consider adding one or more of these teas to your daily routine.
Ashwagandha: May reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. This ancient herbal tea may also lower stress hormone (cortisol) levels. In a clinical trial, experts found that individuals who took ashwagandha had stress-relieving effects and lower cortisol levels than participants who did not take ashwagandha.
Chamomile: May help with anxiety. In a 2016 study, people with generalized anxiety disorder who consumed chamomile tea showed a reduction in their moderate to severe symptoms.
Lemon balm tea: For depression and anxiety. This member of the mint family has a calming effect. A 2014 study showed that individuals who consumed lemon balm tea or yogurt containing lemon balm showed improved mood and anxiety.
Bottom line
Attaining and maintaining optimal mental health continues to be a challenge worldwide, and experts are always striving to find effective preventive and therapeutic remedies. Including teas in your daily routine may play a helpful role in this quest.
[Editor's Note: We'll grab a cup of Bigelow Tea to support our mental health.]
