Yes, you can hear the whine at the end of that statement–it’s accurate.

I can make plans and tell myself all I want, but there’s something about winter that doesn’t make me want water. And then I stop drinking it entirely. Maybe it’s because it’s cold outside and I should want something warm, or I dunno. Perhaps the temperature changes and general sleepiness the time of year brings makes me overcompensate with coffee.

 

I’m pretty sure a lot of the sleeplessness, lethargy, and general ill health I’ve been dealing with the past few months has something to do with being dehydrated. And it’s not the coffee, well, not exactly. Several studies have debunked the diuretic effect for the most part (as long as you are a regular drinker of moderate amounts. Newbies or a-pot-a-day types are a whole nother story.

Now, I love my coffee, and I realize though I could smell it all day, drinking it is not a good idea. I get jittery and can’t sleep, so I’ve done my best to cut myself off in the afternoons (unless I haven’t had one in the morning yet, in which case I make one huge mug and that’s it). And then I force myself to drink at least 1 cup of water to offset coming jitters.

But I need a lot more water. I know because when I wake up in the middle of the night, my mouth is very dry. I just can’t get myself to drink water.

But I love tea when it’s cold. There’s something about it that perks up my taste buds and make me feel all pleasant (and make me want to curl up with a blanket and a good book).

But what kind of tea, and how much before it gets as bad as coffee?

Well, I went nuts at the store earlier this week and bought boxes full of herbal teas I used to love. I just hadn’t had time to go to the store. I have a few black flavored teas, but mostly, green or regular herbal teas.

Water is still the best thing for you, but when you want something warm (throw in a few cups of good tea. Herbal teas have the least amount of caffeine of all teas, then of course is white, green, on up to black).

That said, even too much tea is not good for you. If you want more info on tea myths, check out this site. I forgot about some of these warnings (good thing I took a look this morning).

Not all herbal teas are the same–and they’re worth checking out. Especially since some herbs are really potent–educate yourself on herbal properties (like you hopefully would vitamin supplements, making sure some things are good to take with meds or if you have allergies to the ingredients).

I’m usually at my main job in the mornings. After spending a couple of super-early hours in a coffee shop, I get to work and am often so busy I can’t leave my chair for those 5 hours (even to go to the bathroom–I hate making people wait on me).

But I’ve done better when I remembered to bring a cup of water back with me before opening up the door for customers to come in. If I remember it’s there, I can sip slowly, and then I’m not smacking my lips, desperate for something to drink.

Or doing Wakko’s “Potty Emergency” dance.

Or being stupid and running for another coffee–or fast food because I mistake thirst for hunger often–when I should be drinking my water.

But I will only count tea as water without additives. If I pour a ton of honey or milk in the tea, I count it as a snack, not water. But thankfully my taste buds have graduated to the point where if I pay attention to my tea preparation (some teas require lower water temperatures, and different steeping lengths), then I have some good tea to drink.

Honey only happens when I get distracted and made a way-too strong cup. So I have to learn focus to make a better cup of tea…hey, that’s another resolution I’m working on anyway–yay!

For myself, I know I’d do even better if I remember to bring tea bags and my electric teakettle to keep at my reception station–it’s been cold and every time the door opens, it gets colder! Hot tea to the rescue!

I was so tired I forgot to get another one yesterday. Some department stores have them for between $17 and $30, and the one I have at my weekend job can hold up to a liter of water (roughly 3 cups of tea for a 6-8 oz mug). It helps me stay up for night watch instead of chugging coffee.

And if somebody’s having a crappy day, it’s a convenient way to make ’em a cup of hot cocoa or spiced cider. The microwave does NOT do a good job for hot cocoa.

I know we all need to be hydrated–indeed, I browsed a lot of resolutions for the new year, and most people had “drink more water” on the list. Well, if you’re bored of water, don’t forget about hot teas, especially this winter.

Besides, if you’re one of those people with Seasonal Affective Disorder, that little bit of flavor and heat on your tongue might help you fight off the urge to hibernate.

So here’s to the New Year for all of us: hydrated, alert, calmer, and feeling good in mind and body.

We all need something good for ourselves and our bodies, and boxes of good herbal tea are cheaper (and healthier) than boxes of wine when the days suck (and you can have it at work without the boss’ hairy eyeball or an intervention, unless you’re one of those “annoying office health-nuts” that won’t shut up about the latest health trend to your co-workers.)

A pleasant and flavorful New Year to us all, with health and happiness everywhere we can (legally) find it.