Tea (Ah)Musings

One of the unexpected side effects of committing to 365 days of tea is realizing I’ve stumbled into a health routine I didn’t have to negotiate with myself about.

Everything healthwise today seems to be about apps and tracking and somewhat guilt induced, along with the proverbial always "starting on Monday".

Whereas I began with just tea... which might be the most suspiciously simple wellness habit in existence. Yet, while tea sounds passive, it’s actually doing some impressive work behind the scenes. According to my research, tea is rich in antioxidants that help fight inflammation, protect cells, and support long-term health. Studies link regular tea drinking to lower blood pressure, reduced LDL cholesterol, and decreased risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

I had no idea of any of this when I began. Who knew all this was happening from something that requires less effort than making toast in the morning. If health and wellness had a “low-maintenance overachiever” category, I think tea would win.

Tea also solves one of modern life’s challenges, how to wake up without overloading your nervous system. Because tea contains both caffeine and L-theanine, it creates a calm focus instead of a caffeine wild ride.  

Coffee says, “Let’s go!”
Tea says, “Keep calm and carry on.”

And at this stage of my life, I trust tea’s leadership style more.

The physical benefits are surprisingly wide-ranging.

Tea:

• hydrates

• supports metabolism

• helps digestion

• provides antioxidants

• may help protect teeth thanks to natural fluoride and tannins

Green tea brings powerful antioxidants like EGCG. Black tea supports heart health and circulation and  herbal teas offer benefits like relaxation or digestive support. 

This year, I’ve been thinking about tea in another way too. In Chinese astrology, we’re moving soon intothe new year celebration of the Fire Horse — a year associated with intensity, momentum, passion, independence, and powerful forward movement. Fire Horse years tend to carry strong energy where things move quickly, emotions run hotter and decisions come faster. It’s dynamic energy and that’s part of why tea feels especially right this year. Tea doesn’t extinguish fire, it contains and balances it. It gives the body direction when life accelerates and it gives the mind a place to ground when everything else feels in motion. In a year known for intensity, tea feels like a companion helping us move through it without burning out.

The biggest shift I've experienced isn’t physical, it’s relational. Tea creates tiny checkpoints, creating moments where life pauses long enough for you to notice whether you’re actually okay or just moving about busily. I now find myself missing my tea if I haven't started the day with it in hand. The day just feels off. I've also noticed that it's difficult to feel disconnected while holding a warm mug. There's just something very sensory connected to the warmth of the cup.

What This Year of Tea Has Taught Me Thus Far...

I used to think meaningful change required big action and sometimes it still does, but, I’m starting to observe that it all begins first with a commitment to consistency. Tea is teaching me that growth isn’t always built through intensity, it’s built through repetition.

Boil the water, add the leaves. and repeat again tomorrow. It’s almost annoyingly simple and yet we resist so often.

My Dear Wisdom Seekers, I must ask you to consider this thought... if care for yourself were allowed to be easy, what would you do every day?

As I finished my tea, I mused over what I have learned thus far and realized that  “Real growth rarely feels dramatic, it's based on small acts of daily effort.”

Here’s to brilliant antioxidants, the gifts of awareness, and the quiet power of repetition.