Tea time! Brewing positive mental health during the coronavirus lockdown

TW: Mentions of mental health and tea.

There’s a simple, age-old maxim here in the UK: whether it’s winter or summer, rain or shine, there’s never a wrong time to put the kettle on.

From simple builder’s brew to barista style lattes, Brits have been meeting up and spilling the tea for centuries on end.  We each have our individual preferences as to which tinctures and blends reign supreme. One thing’s for sure though: whenever trouble’s brewing, you can bet a kettle will be whistling in the background somewhere.

It’s no surprise at all that our knee-jerk reaction to times of trouble is to whip the Sports Direct mugs and offer a friendly ear whenever a mate is in need. After all, for thousands of us, hot beverages are the ultimate panacea. Whether you’re stressed to the bone or welcoming friends into your home, a drink is the first thing you offer.

Of course, in light of the pandemic, we may not be welcoming guests into our homes for a long time, but if there’s one non-alcoholic thing in your cupboard that helps people unwind, it’s a cup of tea mixed with a good old natter.

Last Thursday – Thursday, 21^st March – was International Tea Day. This past week was also Mental Health Awareness Week, and in ordinary circumstances, the scenario may have played differently.  This year, however, we wake each morning to a different world.

The days of reaching out to a friend for a cup of tea have been cut short by social distancing, caution and isolation.  Coronavirus may have put a stop to people’s holidays and work plans. Still, for many, the loneliness of it all has placed some of the most vulnerable members of society at risk of developing poor mental health. Lower self-esteem, limited access to mental health support – we have all experienced the highs and lows of being separated from our loved ones.

For that reason, organisations across the country invested in the power of ‘virtual brews’.  From PG Tips setting up a nationwide 3 PM tea break initiative, to local charities sending out tea care packages to vulnerable locals, the drive to get Britain reaching out and talking did not come to a halt as a result of the lockdown.

If anything, the lockdown has made many of us appreciate the moments we did have together in person, talking through life’s worries with a brew in hand. In times like these, reaching out online can be just as significant as that physical company. It’s a social glue, and whether it’s through Zoom or Facetime, connections are more important than ever.

For that reason, we spoke to our readers and contributors about how having virtual brews with friends and family have supported them through the lockdown.  Here is what they had to say on the matter:

“Any who has ever lived with me knows, don’t bother asking – just work out what time I am due home, and make sure I have a cuppa waiting for me when I get in!”

1 – Some love any excuse to pop the kettle on:

Antonia Hale
“Tea makes me feel warm and happy; it calms me when I’m anxious and refreshes me when I’m weary […] I would die without tea.  It is my lockdown saviour, and it keeps my head well.”

Michelle Smith

“I love tea. Anyone who knows me knows this about me. Tea makes me happy. Holding a warm (not too hot, but that’s why I have so much milk) cup of tea makes my soul sing. Anyone who has ever lived with me knows, don’t bother asking – just work out what time I’m due home, and make sure I have a cuppa waiting for me when I get in!”

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“It’s a hug in a mug for me.”

2 – For some, tea or coffee is a source of comfort:

Cerys Turner
“Coffee is (for better or worst) my lifeblood. Taking 10-15 minutes out of my schedule to make a cuppa is so gratifying, it’s a moment I look forward to. It gives you a little break from whatever you’re doing and also provides the caffeine fix/ morale boost to resume your task with a token more motivation than when you first started.”

Lisa Marie Rand
“Coffee is a constant in the backdrop of my existence, and I’m pretty useless without ten cups of it down me – it’s my rocket fuel! Can’t live without it (damn caffeine addiction!) but can’t really say am a convert, as I’ve been coffee mad most of my life. I regard tea as a half-hearted form of coffee and can barely bring myself to drink the stuff.”

Jess Magill
“Tea is constant and is comforting, and I use it as a mechanism to de-stress and regroup my thoughts. It’s a hug in a mug for me, and even the remedial task of making a cup of tea makes me feel better. I’ve often found that amid a mild panic attack, the process of making a tea can calm me down.”

“It’s a constant that I know will always be the same, no matter how uncertain or bad the world is around me.”

3 – Others took solace in the ‘constant’ tea provides:

Jane Corscadden
“Starting my day off with a cuppa gets me in the right mindset and focus to power through. Whenever work feels like too much, or if I just need a breather, there’s nothing better than sticking on the kettle […] It’s a constant in my day – if I know I’ll have these moments of calm, it helps me not feel so overwhelmed!”

Jordan Grieves
“Hard day at work?  A cup of tea, chat over the phone, and a pack of custard creams to dunk in the brew.  Mum used to always do this for me when I felt depressed. Now, whenever I am down in the dumps, I give my daughter a ring.  I do it more now that I am in lockdown. It cheers me up in no time flat, and it makes me feel like everything’s normal.”

Alex Kidd
“Coffee is more a crutch, an addiction if you will. It’s a constant that I know will always be the same, no matter how uncertain or bad the world is around me. Tea is a sweet, sharp sugar hit for energy aside from the comfort of coffee.”

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“When a person asks, “would you like a cup of tea?”, they are actually saying this: how are you?”

4 –  Finally, some just appreciate the chance to connect

Amy Goddard
“As someone who doesn’t drink coffee and very rarely drinks tea I find it quite alienating when this happens. It’s another reminder of something common that I don’t fit in with. Being offered something physical does not help me.  But, just being asked silly, irrelevant questions and finding some common ground helps. Little stupid things that set me off talking about something I like to get comfortable with talking and opening up.”

Alex Lloyd
“I love tea and coffee, but I love chats and hugs more. If I can share a coffee with a friend when I am feeling sad, I feel much better afterwards.  Now I have coffee with my friends on Facebook live, and that makes me happy.”

Phil Newbould
“When people ask if we want a cup of tea. I usually associate it with being cared for, at that moment. When a person asks, “would you like a cup of tea?”, they are actually saying this: how are you? Please share this space with me, I’m listening.”

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Here at Empoword, we are listening. We recognise the importance of maintaining mental health as well as your physical health. If you’re struggling, help is available:

• Samaritans (116 123) hosts a 24-hour service, and it is available every day of the year.  If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org.
• Childline (0800 1111) runs a helpline for children and young people in the UK. Calls are free, and the number won’t show up on your phone bill.
• PAPYRUS (0800 068 41 41) is an organisation supporting teenagers and young adults who are feeling suicidal.
• Mind (0300 123 3393) is a charity providing advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem.
• Students Against Depression is a website for students who have a low mood or are having suicidal thoughts.

April Ryan
Tweet to @April_L_Ryan

Featured image courtesy of Thought Catalog on Unsplash. This image has in no way been altered. Image license is available here.