Guide to Daylight Savings + Teas
This time of year has brought what we can always rely on here on Vancouver Island...
A myriad of weather changes; frost blanketed mornings, high winds, heavy rain, sleet, sporadic snow and beautiful, sunshine filled gaps in the clouds that remind us of the longer, warmer days that lay ahead and springing forward our clocks with Daylight Savings. March tends to bring an experience of the unknowns that keeps us on our toes.
To keep the changes interesting, this years Daylight Savings will be the final time we change our clocks in British Columbia, Canada for more evening light during winter months. With that, we have observed that even one hour can shift the day greatly, after experiencing a sleepy Monday morning on our new schedule. This brought about the conversation of effective rituals that help to adapt with any shift.
It is no question when we reflect on ancient rituals, traditions and tea cultures, that tea has the ability to nurture a meditative, relaxed, and clear mental state. This can be related to the connective act of sharing tea with others, slowing down to the present moment to savour each sip or witnessing the tea leaves unfurl in your cup. However, there is also scientific evidence relating the consumption of tea to this alpha-brainwave activity.
Surprising to most, there is one unique amino acid found in the tea plant, (which is the only known plant to contain this amino acid), that not only helps to positively impact mood, health and energy levels, but can also greatly reduce stress and anxiety while regulating the effects of caffeine on the body.
L-Theanine is found in all the different types of true tea (camellia sinensis), and is the constituent responsible for soothing and calming.
Working in harmony, caffeine + L-theanine create a gently sustained state of wakeful tranquility and relaxed alertness.