One of the most underestimated challenges of eating disorder recovery? The sheer amount of nervous system activation that can happen around food, bodies, and relationships. Mealtimes with family or partners. Social gatherings. Even quiet dinners at home. For many people, these moments that are about connection can feel overwhelmingly anxious.
For the second month in a row, we’re featuring Traditional Medicinals Nighty Night Tea—a gentle, caffeine-free blend of passionflower, chamomile, and valerian that supports relaxation and sleep. While we know a cup of tea isn’t a cure-all, we’ve seen how small rituals of care can make a meaningful difference in recovery. Traditional Medicinals teas are also much more concentrated than other sleep promoting tea products available.
Why we love it:
- Nervous system support: Helps take the edge off anxiety, especially in the evening after a difficult day or challenging meal
- A ritual of self-compassion: Making tea can be a small act of gentleness toward yourself—something recovery asks us to practice over and over
- Connection without pressure: Sharing a cup of tea with a partner, friend, or family member can be a low-stakes way to reconnect without the weight of a full meal
- No stimulants, no diet culture: Just herbs that have been used for centuries to support rest and calm
How to use it:
Brew a cup 30-60 minutes before bed, or anytime you need to ground your nervous system. Some of our clients find it helpful to drink after dinner as part of a wind-down routine. Others keep it on hand for particularly anxious days.
💚 Available at most grocery stores or online.
“I’ve been recommending this tea to clients for years—not as a ‘fix,’ but as one small tool in a bigger toolkit of recovery. Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is just pause, breathe, and offer ourselves a moment of softness.”
— Riana Giusti, MS, CN