Best Drinks for Stress: 5 Practical Choices

Water, green tea, and chamomile tea are three of the best drinks for stress, though none is a proven treatment. The five options below are practical everyday choices; the AI symptom analyzer can help you organize symptoms, but it cannot diagnose their cause.

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What are the 5 best drinks for stress?

These choices prioritize hydration, comfort and the option to avoid caffeine. They are not ranked by proven effectiveness: direct research on ordinary drinks for stress is limited.

1. Water
2. Green tea
3. Chamomile tea
4. Peppermint tea
5. Warm milk

For complementary food choices, see the best foods for stress.

Water

Why it may help: Water supports normal body functions, and drinking regularly can prevent the discomfort of thirst. A water break may also be a useful cue to step away from a stressful task, although the pause itself is not a treatment for stress.

How to use it: Keep water accessible and drink with meals or when you feel thirsty. Still or sparkling water can count; choose whichever makes it easier to drink comfortably.

Evidence: In a 2025 study of habitual fluid intake and stress, adults who usually drank less had a greater cortisol response to a laboratory stress test than those who usually drank more. The groups were compared by their existing habits, so the study does not prove that drinking extra water lowers stress or cortisol. Their reported anxiety responses to the test were similar.

Green tea

Why it may help: Green tea contains L-theanine, an amino acid being studied for its effects on responses to stress. A tea break may also provide a pleasant pause, but green tea contains caffeine, which can make some people feel more jittery.

How to use it: Choose plain green tea and prepare it according to the package. If caffeine affects your sleep or makes you feel anxious, try a decaffeinated version or choose a caffeine-free drink instead; decaffeinated tea can still contain some caffeine.

Evidence: A randomized trial of an L-theanine-based nutrient drink found a lower short-term subjective stress response during a cognitive challenge compared with a placebo. The researchers tested a formulated nutrient drink, not an ordinary cup of green tea, so the result does not establish that brewed tea will have the same effect.

Chamomile tea

Why it may help: Chamomile tea is usually caffeine-free, and some people find its warm, mild flavor comforting. Choosing a caffeine-free drink can be useful when caffeine tends to make you feel on edge, but that does not mean chamomile tea has a proven stress-relieving mechanism.

How to use it: Choose a plain chamomile tea and prepare it according to the package. Check the label on blends, since added tea leaves or other ingredients may change the caffeine content.

Evidence: The studies reviewed here do not directly test chamomile tea for stress. Treat it as a comforting beverage rather than a substitute for care. Chamomile can cause allergic reactions, particularly in people sensitive to plants in the ragweed family, and may interact with medicines such as warfarin.

Peppermint tea

Why it may help: Peppermint tea offers a caffeine-free option with a distinctive flavor. Enjoying a familiar taste and taking a break may feel relaxing, but a specific effect of peppermint tea on stress has not been established by the evidence reviewed here.

How to use it: Prepare a plain peppermint tea according to the package and drink it at a comfortable temperature. Check mixed herbal teas for ingredients you may need to avoid.

Evidence: None of the studies reviewed here directly tests peppermint tea for stress. It is a choice for hydration and enjoyment, not an evidence-based treatment. Peppermint can worsen reflux symptoms for some people, so choose another drink if it causes discomfort.

Warm milk

Why it may help: Milk provides fluid and nourishment, and a warm drink can feel comforting. Having it as part of a familiar routine may make a pause more pleasant, but warmth or milk should not be expected to change the underlying cause of stress.

How to use it: Warm plain milk gently and let it cool enough to drink comfortably. If you avoid dairy or it causes symptoms, choose another drink on this list rather than forcing yourself to have it.

Evidence: The studies reviewed here do not directly test warm milk for stress. Claims that it reliably calms the nervous system or treats anxiety are not established by this evidence. People with a milk allergy should avoid it; those with lactose intolerance may prefer a lactose-free option if appropriate for them.

Which drinks should you limit or avoid when stressed?

Consider limiting drinks that make you feel more tense or interfere with sleep. Responses vary, so notice how you feel after having them rather than assuming everyone needs the same restriction.

• Energy drinks and other highly caffeinated drinks: Caffeine can cause jitteriness and disrupt sleep, especially for people who are sensitive to it. In a study of nursing students, energy-drink consumers reported poorer sleep and higher perceived stress than comparison groups. The study found an association, not proof that energy drinks caused those differences.
• Alcohol: It may seem relaxing at first, but relying on it to cope can create additional problems and disturb sleep. Choose a nonalcoholic option if you are looking for a regular stress-management routine.
• Drinks that cause you discomfort: Very sweet, acidic or fizzy drinks are not automatically harmful, but they may be a poor choice for you if they cause reflux, stomach discomfort or a feeling you dislike.

How much should you drink for stress?

There is no established amount of any drink that treats stress. A practical starting point is a glass of water with a meal or a cup of tea during a break, then drink according to thirst and your usual needs.

Fluid needs differ with activity, heat, health conditions and other factors. Food and other beverages contribute to fluid intake too, so there is no need to force down a large amount of water in the hope of lowering cortisol. Drinking excessive water, especially quickly, can be harmful.

If you have been told to limit fluids because of a condition such as heart or kidney disease, follow your clinician’s individual advice. If you are unsure whether you are drinking enough or have persistent unusual thirst, ask a clinician rather than using stress alone to judge your needs.

When should you see a doctor about stress?

Talk with a doctor or other qualified mental health professional if stress persists, worsens, disrupts sleep or daily activities, or feels difficult to manage. A drink can be part of a supportive routine, but it cannot replace assessment or treatment. Do not stop or change prescribed medication without discussing it with your clinician.

Check with a clinician or pharmacist before regularly using herbal teas if you take medicines that may interact with them, including warfarin. People who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and parents considering herbal teas for children, should ask a clinician about the particular ingredients; safety information is limited for some herbs.

Seek urgent medical care for chest pain, severe trouble breathing, fainting, or thoughts of harming yourself or someone else. If there is immediate danger, call local emergency services.