Tea vs Therapy: In India, where tea is both a beverage, and a ritual, individuals are increasingly preferring a cup of chai to an hour with a therapist when they are emotionally distressed. Whether it’s marital woes, work stress, or bereavement, the answer for most Indians is the comfort of a warm cup with friends, or by themselves. Why, though, is tea becoming therapy for so many?
Tea is a part of Indian daily life. It’s present at every turn at morning ceremonies or late-night conversations. Having tea is typically synonymous with sharing jokes, worries, and stories. It is an icebreaker, a leveller, and a tacit confidant. In a way, chai is a casual emotional release.
One of the biggest reasons Indians avoid therapy is the age-old stigma of mental health. Despite growing awareness, seeking the help of a psychologist is seen as a weakness or instability by most people. In contrast, chai is a socially acceptable stage to unwind, talk, and vent no label or judgement.
Tea is within everyone’s reach and in each nook and corner of the country, from street corners to home kitchens. Therapy, on the other hand, is expensive and not readily found in villages and small towns. For ordinary folks, a ₹10 cup of tea is more accessible than a ₹1,000 session of therapy.
Chai sessions automatically turn into therapy sessions in and of themselves casual, relaxed chats with friends, coworkers, or family. These kinds of chats make an individual feel heard and heard, even if not professionally controlled. Oftentimes, having the ability to talk it through over tea can create fleeting relief and comprehension.
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Since treatment offers rigorous mental health treatment, however, Indians still console themselves in the sheer, uncomplicated niceness of tea. It’s intimate, reassuring, and well-entrenched in the society. But as mental illness comes into the spotlight, it’s worth mentioning that while chai calms, occasionally it doesn’t cure, and tea and counseling can coexist when it comes to emotional wellness.