- Hartley
WHY ANXIOUS GIRLIES ARE SWITCHING FROM COFFEE TO MATCHA
Updated: 3 days ago
If you suffer from morning anxiety but the thought of sacrificing caffeine sends you into a spiral…I feel you.
As a woman with insomnia and anxiety, I’m caught between a 7am fog that BEGS for an espresso...and the very real possibility of turning into a nervous jitterbug.
…yes, coffee anxiety attacks are a “thing.”
So what’s a woman to do? Can you still get a caffeine kick without risking hyperventilating into your Headspace app?
I’ve seen a huge transformation in my mood since swapping in matcha most mornings. There’s something so grounding about starting my day with a slow tea ritual, journaling, and ice rolling my face.
I’m going to give you the lowdown on why matcha is the sweet spot if you’re anxious but still need a morning ‘pick me up’ and my go-to recipe for making a beautiful, fluffy cup at home.
Matcha vs coffee: how does the caffeine compare?
Depending on how strong you like it, a cup of matcha contains an average of about 38-88mg of caffeine, while a cup of coffee has about 96+mg.
But it’s the WAY caffeine is released in both that makes all the difference: with coffee, you get that energizing jolt that impacts glucose and insulin levels, making us shakey (and hungry) if we have too much.
Whereas, matcha is often described as a “clean high”: It delivers a slower, more sustained, release of caffeine. So while it contains less caffeine than coffee, it can actually keep you alert for longer.
Within 30 minutes, you’ll benefit from its chill effects, while getting anywhere from 6-8 hours of energy. Basically, it's caffeine without the crash.
And it’s not habit-forming in the same way: you can go days without it and still feel fine because unlike coffee, your body doesn’t get hooked on that fast rush of adrenaline.
Why matcha is better for anxiety (more about that “clean high”)
Matcha has a magical molecule for creating calm: l-theanine.
Here’s a deep dive into all the reasons why I love l-theanine but to sum it up: this little amino acid helps regulate things that get ALL KINDS of dysregulated when we’re anxious.
Some studies suggest that L-theanine may be beneficial in the treatment of anxiety because it is thought to influence serotonin secretion, generate alpha waves in the brain and even regulate our heart rate and blood pressure.
Think of it like this: l-theanine ‘offsets’ matcha’s caffeine content, creating a more sustained and gentle release of energy, focus and emotional balance. So yes, matcha might actually help anxiety while still energizing you.
A ritual of serenity
Matcha was discovered almost 1,000 years ago by a buddhist monk who had an ‘aha’ moment: drinking matcha was improving his meditation sessions (we now know he was feeling the effects of l-theanine!).
He brought it to Japan from China and soon it became used in Japanese tea ceremonies to improve concentration and mental clarity.
I adore matcha not just for its calming properties but the serenity of the ritual itself: preparing it in a sculptural ceramic bowl, slowing down as I whisk the powder, taking deep breaths as I savor it on my sofa…basically, starting my day right with a moment of balance and self-care.
My go-to matcha latte recipe: how I prepare a beautiful, fluffy cup at home
⟡ Step 1 - Take a ¼ teaspoon of matcha powder (or more if you like it strong like me!) and place it in a wide mug or matcha bowl.
⟡ Step 2- Adding just a tiny splash of tap water, create a ‘paste’ with your matcha whisk by stirring it until it’s totally smooth and lump-free.
⟡ Step 3 - Fill your kettle with half a mug’s worth of water and set it to 80 degrees (any higher, and your delicate matcha powder will burn).
⟡ Step 4 - Pour the hot water into your matcha paste slowly, taking breaks to whisk vigorously in an up and down zig-zag (so forwards and backwards, not stirring). Flick from the wrist and focus on the top layer of the water. You should start to see bubbles, which means the flavour is being released. You can add agave, stevia or any sweetener if you like, at this stage.
⟡ Step 5 - If you have milk frother –which I highly recommend investing in—fill it with enough milk of your choice to fill up the other half of the mug (I find oat is best for frothing). Alternatively, heat your milk in the microwave and use a handheld frother.
⟡ Step 6 - Top up your hot matcha with the frothed milk. I loooove to sprinkle a bit of ceylon cinnamon on top for added anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.
Tips
⟡ Choose a matcha from Uji, Kyoto and look for “ceremonial-grade,” which means you’re getting better leaf selection and blending. I always opt for organic since I don’t want any nasties in it (unsponsored: I’m loving DOmatcha Ceremonial Organic right now).
⟡ Matcha shouldn’t have any contact with sunlight or humidity. Make sure you buy (and store it) in an opaque container or sealed bag and if you live in a hot country, keep it in the fridge.
⟡ Sometimes I add a bit of collagen powder at the paste stage. Not only is it great for the skin but it helps it froth!
⟡ If you make morning matcha a daily habit, consider treating yourself to a ceramic matcha set. Etsy has a beautiful selection. There’s something so special about drinking it out of a precious vessel every morning.
..and that’s it!
So tell me, if you suffer from morning anxiety, what do you do to start your day with more balance and serenity?
Pssst…did you know Taylor Swift calls l-theanine supplements her chill pill? Here’s why I take l-theanine supplements to set the stage for a deep sleep.
