In these fast-paced times, many of us are trapped in the ‘busyness’ of everyday life, working our bodies and minds to overdrive and stress, the 21st century disease. Yet there is something so simple we can do on a daily basis to relax and create moments of bliss. We can enjoy a cup of tea!

Vietnamese Monk Thich Nhat Hahn once told Oprah, “Suppose you are drinking a cup of tea. When you hold your cup, you may like to breathe in, to bring your mind back to your body, and you become fully present. And when you are truly there, something else is also there - life, represented by the cup of tea. In that moment you are real, and the cup of tea is real. You are not lost in the past, in the future, in your projects, in your worries. You are free from all of these afflictions. And in that state of being free, you enjoy your tea. That is the moment of happiness, and of peace.”

Research shows that tea derived from camellia sinensis has cancer fighting properties. Polyphenols in tea help protect the body’s cells from damaging free radicals, prevent blood clotting, lower cholesterol levels, neutralise enzymes involved with tumour growth and stimulate the immune system. Tea contains theanine (an amino acid unique to tea), vitamins, minerals, and methylxanthines - that fight against mutagenic agents, delay aging, fight high blood pressure, fight viral and bacterial infection and improve the functioning of the digestive and excretory systems.

Interestingly, tea contains fluoride for strong teeth, virtually no calories, and half the amount of caffeine found in an equivalent sized cup of coffee.

Townsville Mumpreneur Melissa Sloane is passionate about the relaxation and health benefits of tea. “I had a dream 15 years ago about opening a tea shop but I ignored it and continued with my busy life. Since then I’ve experienced illness, marital breakdown and burnout. Through all of this, tea has helped me relax and de-stress. So when the same dream resurfaced in November last year, I knew I had to act.” Melissa opened rusTic Teas early this year with an online store where she retails tea Australia-wide.

Customers can order personalised blends which they get to name. Melissa also stocks teas suitable for kids and teens.

A great way to discover the health benefits of tea is to host a rusTic tea party, private function, bridal tea, baby shower, business meeting or High Tea. In the coming months a rusTic Teas Boutique Tea Cellar will open in Townsville. Melissa says this will be a sanctuary for people to enjoy rusTic Teas in a relaxing space where they can escape from the pressures of the world.

To find out more about relaxing with tea, visit www.rusticteas.com and to ask Melissa about anything tea related, visit www.facebook.com/rusTicTeas