Pandemic Winter Health Hacks

Herbal Tea Can Do No Wrong

Keep a hot cup at close hand

For me, tea is more than a drink. It’s a companion, a taste of nature, a kind of G-rated plant medicine. I could go on, but I’ll spare you the ode. Basically: I love tea for its rich simplicity, especially in wintertime.

And though I also love that tea consumption has been linked to better heart health, I don’t drink it to optimize myself (beware the wellness teas promising to detox this or slim down that). The magic of tea is not about fixing my life, but rather accompanying me as I live. See for yourself what it feels like to settle into self-care practices like a Zoom therapy session, writing in your journal, or reading with a cup of tea along for the ride.

And for those of you committed to dry January — as well as those who’ve jumped ship in light of recent atrocities — tea offers rootsy ways to access flavor in lieu of a cocktail. If it’s a chore for you to guarantee your body the daily hydration it needs, a hot herbal tea you like the flavor of is a great way to ensure you keep up your intake.

Illustration: Sophi Gullbrants