Equally as important as physical health, everyone also has to take care of their mental health. Mental health is best seen as a continuum rather than just acquiring an illness and not. At one end of this continuum are the various mental illnesses and at the other, is when one has positive mental health. The health benefits of drinking tea are more frequently discussed as beneficial for the physical body, however, one can also consider drinking a detox tea for the mind.
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Importance of Mental Health
Several factors contribute to the fluctuation of one’s mental health, these include: genetics, upbringing, circumstances, events, and other stressors. A person who is in a good state can easily adjust to various changes in their life or atmosphere, can be productive at work or school, and can maintain a healthy social relationship. While those who are suffering from a mental illness are incapable of handling their own emotions, thoughts, actions, and decisions. When one is feeling low, they would tend to isolate and withdraw themselves from everyone and everything that surrounds them. Mental illnesses are highly treatable once diagnosed, treatments can be through medicines or therapy. It is important to keep a good mental state to be a productive member of society, feeling sad and worried are normal, but if an individual is capable of bouncing back up to reality, this could lead to a life-threatening scenario.
Why COVID-19 and the Lockdown can Trigger Mental Health Issues
While we are battling a virus, experts say this could lead to a new mental health disorder pandemic, the reason is, as we are finding ways to win over COVID-19 the constant worry and stress can trigger and develop anxiety and panic disorder. Take into consideration the sudden change in environment, the community quarantine, and the abrupt halt of our daily routine – these are factors that would lead to depression and panic disorders, and the isolation from the lockdown can also cause separation anxiety. In addition, a study has shown that the sudden loss of job and income also has a major negative effect on one’s mental health and this could lead to an increase in suicide and divorce rate. Finally, the burnout and strain of frontliners, especially the shortage of medical staff are feared to lead to mental health issues.
How Detox Tea can Help Improve Your Mental health
For those who are suffering from mental illness, drinking tea can help with calming the mind and body. Instead of drinking prescription medicine for sedatives or sleeping pills, these detox teas are the perfect organic alternative that would not harm your body, give any side effects, or experience withdrawal when discontinued. Even if an individual is only beginning to develop mental health issues, the constant worry, fear, and stress can be minimized just by drinking tea. But be aware that it is important to be diagnosed by a physician to know the severity of the illness and understand the possible triggers before self-medicating.
Detox Teas for These Mental Illness
It is said that there are over 200 recognized mental illnesses but anxiety and depression is the most common form of mental illness, affecting over 40 million Americans that are aged 18 years old and above.
Anxiety is the common reaction of the body with stress. It is a feeling of constant worry and fear about something that is beyond one’s control, this is a common reaction for one even without a mental health issue. However, if the anxiety spans for longer than six months, this can be diagnosed as an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety also branches out in different mental health disorders, to name a few: panic disorder is when one experiences a sudden intense fear or discomfort, that would last for several minutes, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a type of anxiety triggered by a terrifying event, causing flashbacks, nightmares, and panic attacks, and phobias are an extremely irrational fear over a specific object, situation, or activity.
Feeling sad and having low days are normal, but to distinguish depression, it involves an individual having low mood and a loss of interest in activities after being triggered by an event, and would often take days to recover. Individuals suffering from severe depression would experience a feeling of lifeless, empty, and apathetic – this would sometimes lead to suicidal thoughts.
Depression and anxiety are mood disorders that can be improved by drinking detox tea for mental wellness. Herbal teas are known for improving one’s state of mind and it will not cause any side effects or any resistance from the body even with long-term consumption, unlike some prescription drugs. Chamomile tea is given to people with mild to severe generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), it helps reduce the symptoms of attacks but does not reduce the rate of relapse. It naturally increases the serotonin and melatonin levels that soothe the muscles leaving one feeling relaxed.
Tea that are Good for Your Mental Health
St. John’s Wort Tea
This mental detox tea is said to have the same effects as antidepressant medicines like Prozac. The flowers of St. John’s Wort are often made as liquid extracts, pills, and teas and used to ease symptoms of depression, and these are still classified as dietary supplements instead of drugs, making them available over-the-counter, without a prescription.
The only downside in drinking St. John’s Wort tea, is it contains cytochrome 450 which are enzymes that flush every chemical out of one’s system. So for individuals who regularly take medicines, even as simple as vitamins, it will clear everything out of your body. On the plus side, this makes a great detox tea.
Ashwagandha Tea
The ashwagandha plant is a small shrub with yellow flowers that were used as alternative medicine by ancient Indians that promotes natural healing of the mind and body, this is a great detox tea for the mental health of someone suffering from anxiety. It is classified as an adaptogen, which helps relieve stress, increase energy levels, and improve concentration. A research study stated that ashwagandha tea “safely and effectively improves an individual’s resistance towards stress and thereby improves self-assessed quality of life.”
Valerian Root Tea
The Valerian flower is often extracted to use for perfumes or for essential oils which helps promote a better quality of sleep, similar to lavender. On the other hand, the roots are used for traditional medicine, the ancient Greeks and Romans referred to this detox tea as a cure for excessive nervousness and tremors caused by anxiety. A chemical present in Valerian plants called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) that blocks or reduces the activities from the brain to the nervous system, hence, why the valerian root tea is called Nature’s Valium for its effectiveness in promoting feelings of relaxation during a stressful event that triggers anxiety attacks.
Lavender Tea
Lavender is known for its calming benefits that also improve sleep quality, it is not surprising that it could help with someone suffering from anxiety and insomnia. A study showed that consumption of lavender tea or even in capsule forms, are as effective as Lorazepam, an anxiety medication, in enhancing the effect of GABA. This is suitable detox tea for individuals who suffer mood swings and uneasiness.
Lemon Balm Tea
This citrus-scented herb is used to reduce stress and improve sleep by increasing GABA levels within the body, helping to overcome sleep-related symptoms. This mental detox tea can help individuals with mild to moderate symptoms of anxiety.
Passionflower Tea
Just like chamomile tea, passionflower tea is known to promote better sleep quality. Insomnia and anxiety works hand in hand, sleep deprivation provokes an area of the brain in charge of emotional processing. By drinking this detox tea one can immediately have a better and sufficient sleep that will help improve one’s mood.
Peppermint Tea
Drinking this detox tea will benefit not only the body but also the mind. The fragrance of peppermint is not only suitable for keeping the breath fresh but it can reduce stress. The menthol in peppermint is a natural muscle relaxant, which helps one to relax their body and clear out unnecessary thoughts.
Premixed Calming Tea Brands
There are already premixed calming teas in the market that are mostly a mixture of the tea leaves mentioned earlier and only varies with the kind of infusion used to flavor. The claims of these detox teas are similar – to ease the nerves and muscles, relieve tension and overcome anxiety symptoms such as: agitation, mood swings, headaches, and sleep-related issues. A cup of these tea will help provide an uninterrupted and restful sleep for a refreshed and energized feeling upon waking. Maximize the potential effects of these mental detox tea by getting a premixed brand instead.
- Yogi Tea – Calming: Helps Soothe Mild Tension
- The Republic of Tea – Get Relaxed Tea
- Traditional Medicinals – Cup of Calm
- Chinese Medicinal Tea – Relaxing Herbal Tea
- Yogi Tea-Herbal Stress Relief
- NUTRARELAX – Calming Tea
- Adanim Bio – Stress Relief, Anxiety Release, Calming Blend
- Tea of Life Tea – De Stress
- Lipton – A Relaxing Cup of Tea for Stress Therapy
- Tea of Life Tea – Calming
Unlike other medicinal herbal drinks, these detox teas for positive mental health can be a new habit for long-term consumption. It helps to soothe one’s thoughts, relax the muscles, and reduce the symptoms of mental illness.
One does not have to be at the far end of the mental health continuum to start taking action, a regular stressful day from work can be capped off with these detox teas that would help regenerate one’s energy and improve the sleep quality. A sudden event that causes worry or sadness like failing at something or a loss of a loved one can lead to depression, help yourself by regulating the feeling of suffering and drink a tea that would minimize the pain you’re going through. In this time today where we are battling with a new health risk, be sure to take care of your mental health especially while in isolation and away from your regular life, and come out from this pandemic with a healthy state of mind.
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