The fuel of Britain and the way to solve any problem in the UK: tea. We’re big fans of the stuff. They say Richard Branson can drink up to 20 cups of chai per day. Whatever he’s doing: follow it. It seems to be working for him. Tea is a big part of most offices but how healthy is it and what’s it got to do with work?
How Much Tea Should we be Drinking?
This is a good question, the answer it seems, really depends on the type of tea. Fruit tea, regular tea, decaf or not so much. English Breakfast tea, it’s said should be accompanied by a glass of water to prevent dehydration. While tea is mainly water, it’s also a diuretic. This will dehydrate you. Add in the office environment oF strong overhead lights and little air or an over-zealous air-con and you can become parched quicker than you’d think. Only drinking tea won’t help. Good Housekeeping recommends 3–4 cups of tea per day.
Tea & Productivity
Some say coffee shops themselves, serving tea (& coffee) are less stressful environments in which to work than offices. Debatable we suppose, as this depends on the type of work you’re trying to get done. Richard Branson recently wrote on his blog:
“Having a cup of tea is not only tasty and refreshing, it gives me a moment to stop and think without being distracted, and a chance to chat with friends, think through ideas, or sit for a second and simply be,”
“We often gather around the kettle for a brew here, and I’m sure many more great ideas will be dreamed up over a cuppa.”
Tea to De-Stress
GH: Black, green, white and oolong tea all come from the plant Camellia sinesis, and are all high in polyphenols. There are some studies that suggest these polyphenols could have a beneficial effect on lowering blood pressure.
While some teas may be more soothing than others (camomile usually gets top picks for this), others such as R.Branson find calm in the moment with a cuppa, allowing him time to think. Be it the warmth of the cup, the aroma of tea leaves from your preferred tea or the stillness itself; tea and it’s soothing properties seem to be working and don’t just believe us, doctors are on the tea train too:
TT: A cup of tea really can help reduce stress at times of crisis, claim scientists:
A study, by psychologist Dr. Malcolm Cross at City University London, confirms what millions of tea-lovers have long believed — that if you are upset or anxious, it pays to make a brew.
As well as the soothing qualities of the tea itself, the psychologist found that the act of putting the kettle on also helped by tapping into a collective conscious and symbolism.
Making the Boss a Cuppa
So should we be making the boss a cuppa? According to a Mail Online interview, women shouldn’t, while Sky News state that doing so could help boost your career.
Sophie Christopher of Viking said: “It is mainly because being prepared to make the tea or coffee demonstrates qualities such as attentiveness, humility, and pro-activity which many employers welcome.”
