A Mindful Christmas: How Tea Helps You Slow Down During the Holidays

Posted by Engil Omotola John on December 11, 2025
A Mindful Christmas: How Tea Helps You Slow Down During the Holidays

There’s something about December that always feels both magical and a little overwhelming. The lights, the invitations, the last-minute shopping, the plans… by the time Christmas week arrives, I sometimes find my mind racing and my heart full, but not always in the peaceful, joyful way I imagined. This year, I’m choosing something different. I’m choosing calm. I’m choosing presence. And for me, that starts with a cup of tea.

The Season Can Be Chaos. But It Doesn’t Have to Be!

In a season full of expectations - big dinners, perfect gifts, endless noise, it’s easy to feel like you’re being swept along. The holidays can bring up a full spectrum of emotions, from joy and warmth to stress, sadness or overwhelm. That’s exactly why I believe in slowing down. Allowing space for what truly matters. Not trying to do it all. Observing how I feel. Accepting the mess, the chaos and maybe realising I don’t need to chase perfection.

Tea as a Ritual of Calm

For me, tea isn’t just a drink, it’s a small ritual of stillness. When I prepare loose-leaf tea, I take a moment to breathe, smell the leaves, watch the steam curl and listen to the quiet before the first sip. That little ritual - brewing carefully, steeping slowly, sipping with intention, brings me back to myself. It slows my mind, softens my heart and gently whispers: You are here. It’s okay to pause.bScience agrees. Tea contains compounds like L theanine, which help reduce stress and foster a calm, yet alert, state of mind. All teas including herbal blends have their own unique healthy properties!

My Favourite Teas for a Mindful Christmas

During this season of lights and activity, some of my favourite Totally Loose-Leaf blends feel just right to curl up with:

  • Lapsang Souchong - There’s something about Lapsang Souchong that gives me an instant lift whenever I need a little pick-me-up. I love its bold, smoky aroma. It reminds me of firewood, winter cabins and crackling fireplaces. It’s the kind of tea that warms me from the inside out and gives me the gentle energy I need to keep going on a busy winter day. CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT OUR LAPSANG SOUCHONG
  • Ginger & Lemon Tea- warming, grounding, a comforting hug from the inside out. Great after a long day or a chilly walk. CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT OUR GINGER AND LEMON WINTER BLEND
  • Fresh Seasonal Blends - One of my favourite things about Christmas is exploring fresh seasonal blends. There’s something so exciting about trying new flavours, unexpected pairings and festive ingredients that only appear this time of year. I love experimenting with these blends during the holidays. They make each cup feel special, warm and full of seasonal magic. CLICKL HERE TO EXPLORE OUR FRESH SEASONAL BLENDS
  • Lavender Tea - soft, floral, calming. Perfect for slow afternoons or quiet evenings when I want to exhale. HERE IS OUR LOVELY LAVENDER TEA

Each cup becomes a small act of kindness toward myself - a moment where I choose calm over hurry, presence over pressure.

Slowing Down Doesn’t Mean Opting Out. It Means Choosing Presence.

This Christmas, I’m not trying to make everything perfect. I’m not racing to get everything done. Instead, I’m trying to be present: To listen with intent when friends or family speak. To make space for whatever I feel - joy, nostalgia, gratitude, or maybe a little homesickness. To let go of expectations, of perfect dinners, perfect gifts, perfect memories. Instead, I’m embracing what I have: simple warmth, real connection, honest heart. To taste slowly. Sip slowly. Breathe deeply. Appreciate the small things, a soft scarf, twinkling fairy lights, a quiet morning, a warm mug in my hands.

Christmas Doesn’t Have to Be Loud. It Can Be Gentle.

Maybe this year, Christmas isn’t about extravagance or noise. Maybe it’s about slowing down, choosing calm and finding comfort in small rituals. Tea is my invitation to do just that. So, if you feel the rush creeping in, the pressure to keep up, to perform, to deliver - pour yourself a cup. Let the warmth seep into your hands, into your chest. Inhale. Exhale. Let the leaves steep. Let yourself rest. Because in the quiet of a winter’s day, with a mug in hand and a moment to breathe, you might just find what you didn’t know you were searching for: peace.

From Totally Loose Leaf - wishing you a calm, mindful, merry and gently warm Christmas!

*The image used in this article is our seasonal Christmas tea blend “Nutcracker” - CLICK HERE FOR OUR CHRISTMAS BLEND 

Warmly,
Engil - Totally Loose Leaf

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