Tea for You!
In today’s fast-paced world, it often feels as though we don’t have any time for ourselves. Mindfulness is a great way of slowing down our mind and bringing ourselves and our attention back to the present moment. Even if only brief, a short meditation can have a big impact on the rest of the day. One way of integrating this into our daily routine is through enjoying a cup of Tea for You!
Tea has long been known for it’s many health benefits including, but not limited to, reducing feelings of stress and anxiety, reducing risk of stroke and heart attack, helping with weight loss, protecting your bones, aiding digestion and boosting the immune system, but it is also a great way to settle the mind and practice Mindfulness! For this reason, OnCourse Cayman is proud to offer samples of Tea Time in Cayman‘s high-quality teas for sleep and relaxation. Chamomile, Valerian Root, Rooibos and Peppermint have all been found to induce relaxation, reduce stress and allow us to calm the mind. When incorporated into a helpful Sleep Hygiene routine they can also assist with getting a good night’s sleep.
So how can we unleash the awesome power of these little leaves? To practice Mindfulness with tea, we want to make it an experience from the start to the last drop. The focus is going to be on noticing all steps, aspects and small moments that go into making and then enjoying the tea.
- Choose your tea. Begin with selecting the tea that you are feeling for at that moment (this is my favourite part of my morning – I try to keep several options in my cupboard :)). There is a lot of information available on the different types of tea but finding one that you enjoy will keep you looking forward to your mindful tea practice.
- Open your senses. Notice the aroma of the tea as you place the leaves or the tea bag in your cup, the sound of the water boiling and being poured over the tea, the swelling and swirling of the tea leaves or the change in colour of the water as you pour it into your cup. There is so much that we miss each day, paying attention to the senses brings us into the present and allows us to truly savor the small things in life.
- Enjoy the process. Pay attention to how you are feeling and what you are sensing in and around you as you wait for the tea to steep, the process of deciding if you want milk or sugar, the removal of the tea leaves or tea bag, knowing that soon your tea will be ready.
- Settle in. With your tea made, head to your favourite spot. Mine is on a picnic table in my backyard but a quiet chair or your kitchen table will work. Notice the warmth on your hands, the smell of your tea of choice, the environment around you, the sounds in the background, the feeling of the tea on your lips as you take your first sip. Try to invoke all of your senses to bring you fully into this special moment that is just for you. With each sip notice the smell, taste and feeling as it goes down. Close your eyes to heighten the other senses or gently notice what you can see and hear around you.
- Let go. As you are drinking, notice any feelings or sensations that come over you, any thoughts or worries that come to mind, but don’t focus on them or engage with them, just let them float by as if on a cloud in the sky. A thought is just a thought. A feeling is just a feeling. And this is your time for you. You can get back to the world once your tea is done. For these few minutes, enjoy the tea, enjoy the moment, appreciate your life and get ready for what you have next.
Whether to start your day on the right foot or a relaxing way to end your day and prepare for a good night’s rest, a simple Mindfulness meditation with a cup of tea can be a great addition to your daily routine. As you finish your cup, acknowledge your efforts, your intentions and the fact that you have taken the time to soothe your mind, body and soul, then head back into the world.
Ready. Set. Breathe.
-Dr. Bodden
References:
http://www.teatimeincayman.ky/teatime/Our_Teas.html
https://www.today.com/series/one-small-thing/top-10-health-benefits-drinking-tea-t81111
https://www.mindful.org/mindful-cup-tea/
