The Simple Ritual of a Good Cuppa

Not every act of looking after yourself has to be big. It does not need a plan, or an app, or a decision to turn over a new leaf on Monday. Sometimes it is as simple as a really good cup of tea, made properly, and five minutes of peace in which to drink it.

There is a little ritual in it if you let there be one. The kettle going. The brew, given the time it actually needs rather than being hurried out. Finding your favourite mug, and everyone has one, and everyone is faintly unreasonable about it. Then sitting somewhere comfortable and just being still for a moment.

The important part is the last bit, and it is the bit most of us skip. No phone. No telly. Not standing at the worktop drinking it while you think about the next job. Just you and the cuppa, doing nothing else at all.

It sounds almost too small to matter, and that is exactly why it gets skipped. But five quiet minutes, properly quiet, can reset a whole day. It is not the tea doing the work. The tea is just an excuse to stop, and most of us need an excuse.

Treat yourself to one today, and really savour it. It is five minutes. Nothing on the list will notice.