I was recently invited to be part of a panel at a wonderful colleague’s launch of her new tea brand called Steep’d. I love tea. I am a tea drinker. I’m not a coffee drinker at all—tea is my way. I love to start the day with it. It’s my chance to take a break from work and hold something warm and cozy. I love herbals, and I also adore a classic Earl Grey.
The beautiful launch of Steep’d, created by founder Jennifer Ward, was such a special occasion. Jennifer, a naturopath, has been blending these teas for her clients for years — and now, we all get to enjoy them.
I loved the thoughtful touches around the space — gentle reminders for “more girl trips” and “more rest.” Perfect cues as we sipped tea together. I was grateful to join the panel, sharing tips and personal reflections on The Rituals of Rest and how we can make them more accessible in daily life. One of my favourite suggestions: creating micro moments of rest. Just like taking a pause for a warm cup of tea. In fact, writing this makes me want to brew one right now — and it will definitely be Steep’d Glow.
One message I shared on the day was about giving ourselves true permission to rest. To not just stop, but to actually lean into the feeling of rest. What does rest feel like in our bodies? And how can rituals — like tea — help us tap into that sensation more fully?
A huge congratulations to Jennifer on this gorgeous launch, and for bringing these teas and their message out into the world.
These teas are All natural. Powerful botanicals. Rooted in ritual. Hand-blended to help women return to balance and reconnect with their inner calm. Handmade, naturopath-formulated, and infused with care.
Founder of Steep'd, Jennifer Ward
Jennifer’s new brand Steep'd has reminded me of something I’ve been noticing more and more in my own life: tea is not just a drink. It’s a ritual. And rituals are what keep us grounded in a world that so often asks us to run faster, harder, and longer.
The Science of Rituals
It turns out rituals—whether religious, cultural, or personal—actually have measurable benefits. They reduce stress, increase feelings of belonging, and even improve performance under pressure. A 2016 study published in Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes found that rituals, even when performed without religious meaning, reduce anxiety and help people manage uncertainty. Another study in Acta Psychologica showed that rituals can improve self-control and emotional regulation.
Even the simple act of making tea can calm the nervous system. The repetitive, sensory process—boiling water, steeping leaves, inhaling scented steam—activates the parasympathetic nervous system, signaling to the body that it is safe to rest.
Tea as a Daily Anchor
For me, tea is both pause and permission. It’s not just about hydration—it’s about marking a moment in the day that says: slow down. I can hold a cup and feel its warmth, smell the blend, and sip slowly. It’s a tiny ceremony that turns the ordinary into something sacred.
And yes, I have favourite cups, mugs, teapots and tea sets!
And what’s beautiful is that tea’s role as a ritual is mirrored all over the world. In Japan, the tea ceremony (chanoyu) is centuries old, blending aesthetics, mindfulness, and community. In Morocco, mint tea is shared as an act of hospitality. Across Britain and Ireland, “a cuppa” is shorthand for connection, comfort, and sometimes courage.
What the Research Says
It’s not just poetry—it’s science.
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A study in Frontiers in Psychology (2020) showed that olfactory stimulation (like lighting incense or using natural perfumes) can reduce stress hormones and enhance emotional regulation.
When you combine tea with scent, you are literally weaving together two nervous-system-regulating rituals into one.
Rest is Sacred
I used to think rest was something you earned after working hard enough. Now, I know rest is sacred—it’s not negotiable. It’s what allows me to keep showing up in my work, in my relationships, and in my own sense of self.
Rituals of rest don’t have to be complicated. Tea, a candle, a spritz of room mist, a few drops of natural perfume on your pulse points. These are small acts, but they create big shifts. They’re reminders that you are not a machine—you are a sensory being who needs to pause, breathe, and restore.
Your Invitation
So I invite you: next time you make a cup of tea, turn it into a ritual. Light a candle. Pull a botanical card. Spray a room mist. Or dab a natural perfume oil on your wrist. Let yourself slow down enough to feel.
These rituals are not about escaping life—they are about inhabiting it more fully. In a world that constantly demands our attention, rituals give us back to ourselves.
✨ Explore Sensoriam’s collection of natural perfumes, candles, and incense—your companions in building rituals of rest.
