Stress
A Soothing Drink To Calm Your Nerves
Easy Steps to Sip Mindfully to Soothe And Calm Your Nerves
Posted December 11, 2015

Just like eating mindfully, we can also “drink mindfully”—using all of your senses and mindfully being in-the-moment while you sip. Also, hydration is a key aspect in managing your appetite. It’s easy to mistake thirst for hunger.
Personally, I love curling up with a hot cup of Cinnamon tea. The cup of tea spreads warmth throughout my entire body—which is exactly what I need in chilly Cleveland. However, research also indicates that cinnamon is helpful for regulating your blood sugar which helps to manage food cravings. No matter where live, mindfully sipping on a drink can change your sensations, soothe your taste buds and fill you with stress-buffering nutrients.
Steps to SIPPING Mindfully
S Sit down. Get comfortable.
I Involve all of your senses. Sniff the aroma. Feel the heat or coolness on your hands. Watch the steam rise. Feel the bubbles on your tongue.
P Be Present when you drink. Be-in-the moment. Let go of what you are thinking about. Notice each sip. Keep your mind focused on the experience. Notice how the drink changes your sensations (ie cools you down, warms you up, soothes your throat etc).
Soothing Cinnamon Tea
What it is:
Cinnamon is a warm, aromatic spice made from the rolled bark of a tree native to Southeast Asia. The organic compound that gives cinnamon its distinctive odor and flavor is called cinnamaldehyde, and it is a powerful fungicide and anti-microbial agent.
Cinnamon has been used medicinally to treat infection, act as an anti-inflammatory, lower blood pressure, stabilize blood sugar, and improve insulin sensitivity.
Cinnamon Tea: Why it Soothes
Unstable blood sugar levels, especially those caused by hypoglycemia, can lead to increased food cravings, sudden fatigue, and anxiety. The American Diabetes Association recognizes cinnamon's ability to improve insulin sensitivity while reducing fasting serum glucose. This helps improve the way your body responds to insulin while keeping your blood sugar levels stable throughout the day.
In other words, it is a great drink to help manage sugar cravings!
Cinnamon Tea: How to Make It
To fully experience the soothing benefits of cinnamon tea, I recommend making it with organic cinnamon sticks. One cinnamon stick is equal to half a teaspoon of cinnamon, which amounts to approximately one gram.
Follow these steps to make a strong, soothing cup of tea:
Step 1: Put 1.5 cups of water into a pot or pan. Place 1 cinnamon stick inside.
Step 2: Using a medium-low heat, allow the water to come to a boil. (This should happen within 15 minutes.)
Step 3: Once the water is at a rolling boil, turn off the stove but allow the pot to remain on the burner.
Step 4: Let the mixture stand for 15 to 20 more minutes.
Step 5: Carefully remove the cinnamon stick, and reheat the tea.
Step 6: Pour the tea into a teacup or mug and add a teaspoon of raw honey, if desired.
Step 7: Find a quiet place to mindfully drink your tea. Inhale its spicy aroma, take note of the different flavors you experience, and feel your stress melting away.
Dr. Albers is a clinical psychologist, mindful eating expert at the Cleveland Clinic and New York Times Bestseller. Her new book was just released, 50 More Ways to Soothe Yourself Without Food. Purchase now for book bonuses.