In college, or any high- paced workplace, caffeinated drinks run rampant. Many students also have their go-to drinks, such as Monster, Starbucks, sodas, or Red Bull. Sometimes students can even be branded by their favorite beverage. I myself am known to be a heavy coffee drinker to my peers. However, there is one caffeinated beverage that many students do not seem to utilize. Tea.

Tea was first (believed) to be found in China. In 2737 BC, the Chinese emperor Shen Nung was sitting under a tree while a servant was boiling water. Some leaves from a nearby tree fell into the pot, and the emperor tried it. As a result, tea rose in popularity as it spread across the country and world. However today, tea is not as regarded as high in the caffeine industry. Just try googling "top selling caffeinated beverages". What comes up? Certainly not tea, that is for sure. So why not tea? Years ago tea was known for its class, style, and formality. In modern day society it is considered to be "a hot cup of herbs" that provide no benefit. This sudden change started when culture advanced in technology. Why smash herbs and boil them in water when you can instead have a bubbly, sugary, drink? Granted some change is good, though the loss of tea in culture resulted in a popularity of inserting caffeinated toxins just for a quick (and safe) buzz of energy. This resulted in what society is now: a world with no appreciation for the majesty of a well steeped cup of tea.

So why don't college students and other young adults/hardworking individuals drink more tea? Probably because there is less caffeine in tea than coffee when comparing leading energy drinks. However other than that there are not many downsides to drinking tea. As previously stated, tea is normally healthier. Plus, different teas can have different healing properties. For example, green tea can help prevent glaucoma and heart attacks. Black tea can help with cardiovascular disease while being abundant in antioxidants. White tea helps with lowering blood pressure and boosting the immune system. The list goes on and on. Granted young adults might not be thinking about these things, though it is important to note that stress can be the cause of many of the health complications listed above. Energy drinks might provide more energy to accomplish an insane to-do list, however they are so far from healthy it isn't even funny. I would also like to note that tea has zero calories, where is sodas and energy drinks can have so much more.

Besides health benefits, tea can create a sense of peace. A nice, warm, hot, cup of tea can do wonders towards mental health and stability. It might seem silly to those you have never tried it, however a good cup of tea can stop tears and halt anxiety. Just taking a moment to close your eyes and smell a freshly brewed cup of tea can result in a whole new level of aromatic therapy. As for finding the right tea, it just depends on the person in mention while factoring in their likes/ dislike, and what they have going on in their life. I know when it comes to myself I prefer black teas, English teas, and Irish teas because of their edgy taste and smooth feel. I know people who prefer fruitier teas due to their sweet tooth. Others prefer to base their tea taste off of sense of smell or history of the tea itself. However no matter the person prefer their tea, there is a tea out there for everyone. I for one believe it can be a healing solution in a world full of so many issues and triggers. Tea leaves are natures gift towards humanity, and it is about time we started embracing it instead of fueling our bodies full of God knows what garbage and toxins. Just give it a try. Who knows, you might like it.