Your Cup of Tea?

Maybe soon we'll call them tea-mergencies.

A new study suggests that the Brits are right: a cup of tea is just what's needed in times of crisis.

Dr. Malcolm Cross, a psychologist at City University London, found that just one cup of steaming hot tea can cut anxiety levels. And in some cases, it can make you even calmer than you were before you got totally stressed out.

In the experiment, he put volunteers in a stressful situation. Those who weren't offered a cup of tea immediately afterward showed a 25 percent increase in anxiety, according to the UK's The Telegraph. Those who indulged in a tea actually reduced their stress by four percent.

"The ritual of making and drinking tea -- particularly during times of stress -- is at the very core of British culture," Cross told The Telegraph. "Put simply, the findings illustrate what most mothers would tell us: if you're stressed, anxious or just feeling blue, make yourself a nice calming brew."

Of course, tea's powers only stretch so far. Researchers found it's best for small problems: a stressful day at work, commuting woes, or a fight with a friend or colleague.

So as the Brits say: Put the kettle on.

Photo by Greencolander, courtesy Creative Commons via Flickr