Learning to say no is really hard; many of us feel obligated to say yes when someone asks for our time or energy. However, if you’re already stressed or overworked, saying yes to loved ones or co-workers can lead to burnout, anxiety, and irritability. It may take a little practice, but once you learn how to politely say no, you'll start to feel more empowered, and you'll have more time for your self-care.  

Below are some self-care ideas because you have made precious time by saying NO:

HEALTHY SLEEP HABITS

Probably one of the most vital needs of your body is quality sleep. This means a good sleep routine which could include:

• Sleep at regular times to maintain a sleep pattern and rhythm.
• Wind down before bedtime, write in your journal, read a book, take a hot bath or meditate. 
• Keep your bedroom sleep friendly, with no distractions, dark and at a comfortable temperature.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR GUT

Your gut health can have a significant impact on your health, well-being, and feelings of vitality. The types of foods you eat crucially impact the bacteria that live in your stomach, resulting in a cascade of either positive or negative outcomes. An unhappy gut can lead to an unhappy person, and vice-versa. Check out our post about 10 healthy foods for stress relief.

EXERCISE

We all know exercise is good for us, but do we really know how good it is? Daily exercise can help you both physically and mentally, boosting your mood and reducing stress and anxiety, not to mention helping you shed extra weight. Of course, it might be hard to go to the gym every day, so try to incorporate other exercises, such as walking, tennis, or yoga, which may be able to fit into your schedule more easily. The most important thing is to create a routine that works for you.

TAKING A SELF-CARE TRIP OR DAY OUT

This can make a huge difference in your life. Even if you’re not feeling particularly stressed, getting away for a weekend every now and then can help you disconnect, relax, and be rejuvenated. These self-care trips don’t have to be costly; simply drive to the next town over and see the sights, or go camping nearby. The goal is to veer away from your normal schedule and take the time to do something just for yourself!

Do you have more helpful ideas? Share with us and follow @hummingcuptea on Instagram and Facebook.

3 min read

Tea has been around for centuries, dating all the way back to 59 BC. It’s one of the most popular drinks in the world, and tea farmers have long mastered the art of tea growing and fermentation. Today we have thousands of types of teas that people enjoy sipping on each day. 

THE 6 BASIC TYPES OF TEAS

All teas come from the Camellia Sinensis plant and contain caffeine. The teas listed below have different fermentation processes, and therefore offer different amounts of caffeine, steeping temperature, color and taste. Fermentation (aka oxidation) is the process in which a tea absorbs oxygen.  

BLACK TEA

Black tea is one of the most popular teas in the world. This rich, flavorful tea undergoes the most oxidation, which causes higher caffeine and makes the leaves appear darker. Due to its high caffeine content, it makes for a great morning drink. Black teas are typically produced in China and India. Common examples of black teas include Assam, Darjeeling, and Ceylon. It’s also used to create popular tea blends like Earl Grey, English breakfast and Masala chai.

GREEN TEA

Green tea originated in China and later spread to Japan and Europe. Today it’s tremendously popular in the United States. To create green tea, Camellia Sinensis undergoes light oxidation. That is why the dry leaves maintain their green color. Green tea contains a large amount of catechins, which are antioxidants that help fight free radicals from damaging cells. Sometimes green tea is infused and mixed with other plants, seeds and flowers to create specific blends. For example, our Jasmine Gold Dragon tea is created by adding jasmine flowers, which creates a wonderful floral aroma. In Japan sencha green tea is mixed with popped rice to create the savory Genmaicha tea.

OOLONG TEA

Oolong tea is closer to green tea in color, taste and caffeine. During the oxidation process, it’s fermented longer than green tea, but not as long as black tea. Oolong tea is famous for its floral and fruity aroma. The largest producers of oolong are Taiwan and China. Sometimes the tea is aged just like Pu-erh teas to create deeper and more interesting notes. 

WHITE TEA

White tea is very gentle and light in color compared to other teas. It’s also the least processed tea. When steeping, it’s important to use a lower temperature (175-185 F or 80-85C). If it’s too hot, the flavor will be lost and the tea will become bitter and unpleasant. Great examples of white teas include Silver Needle tea and Pai Mu Tan tea produced in the Fujian Province of China. 

YELLOW TEA

Yellow tea is not very common and is hard to find. The oxidation process is similar to green tea however, tea leaves are allowed to sit and yellow, creating a pale yellow brew when the tea is steeped.

PU-ERH.

Fermented Pu-erh comes in bricks, cakes or loose leaves. High quality Pu-erh is very rare and can be very expensive. To create Pu-erh the tea is aged for months or years, which makes for unique earthy notes and an unusual dark color. The taste of Pu-erh is achieved by allowing bacteria and fungus to influence it. Some people describe the flavor as very earthy. Pu-erh tea can also be used in the making of kombucha. 

HOW ABOUT HERBAL TEA?

We call all teas tea. However, herbal teas (aka tisanes) are created by blending and infusing different plants, dried fruits, berries or twigs. Most herbal teas do not contain caffeine. The most popular examples of herbal teas are chamomile tea, peppermint tea, elderberry tea, rooibos tea, and lavender tea. 

There are so many great teas found across the globe and from different plants. No matter which tea you choose, you’ll get to enjoy the health benefits all teas have to offer. 

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