When 3 o’clock rolls around, the afternoon slump hits hard. The body’s internal circadian rhythm takes a natural dip and fatigue sets in. Whether at the office or home, one can’t help but begin counting down the hours to dinner.
This isn’t a modern-day problem. In 1840s England, the seventh Duchess of Bedford would become hungry and in need of something to revive her until dinner. Her answer? Afternoon tea.
The Duchess began inviting friends to join her and afternoon tea became a phenomenon in the upper-class societal circles of England. Enjoying afternoon tea is still a widely held custom in England with far-reaching appeal.
My first job post-college landed me next to a delightful and spunky British woman with a stellar accent and affinity for afternoon tea. Georgina taught me the importance of slowing down and taking a moment for refinement and refreshment in the afternoon. This didn’t detract from work, it only reinvigorated partakers so that the final hours of the day were met with vitality rather than sluggishness.
Teatime creates space for peace
Our teatime in the office didn’t look fancy (although, Georgina did throw an incredible high tea for the office one year). The telephone still rang, the mugs still had corny sayings on them, and the fluorescent lights were still, well, fluorescent. But it was a chance for us to turn our chairs away from the glowing computer screen, connect on a more personal level, and enjoy a warm cup.
Years later, I still enjoy a daily afternoon tea at home — sometimes by myself, more often with my four children. It’s an integral part of our daily home rhythm and has become a part of our family culture. With the hustle and bustle of lessons, park meet-ups, and chores it’s a guaranteed part of the day for relaxation, a warm beverage, and moments of true connection.
Wherever you find yourself in the afternoon, try a teatime to bring a little more joy to your day.
Time for tea at the office
Teatime in the office may not be extravagant, but it can still be meaningful. Making time for a daily or weekly rhythm to slow down and stop multitasking is countercultural. In a production-obsessed society, teatime is one way to fight back against the system and ensure humanity and connection are a central part of your workplace.
Here are some suggestions to have a successful teatime in the office:
If your office doesn’t have one already, invest in an electric tea kettle for your desk or the kitchen. This will allow you to make enough hot water for yourself and any co-workers who want to partake. A microwave also works in a pinch.
Bring a lovely mug or fancy teacup to keep at the office. Even that small touch of beauty and intention will bring refreshment to your soul.
Have a nice selection of teas, both caffeinated and herbal, to share.
Connect with others by welcoming them into your teatime. Turn away from your computer screens and take this time to get to know one another and share about a novel or television show you recently enjoyed. Having treats, homemade or store bought, is also a sure way to extend a warm welcome.
Set both a start time and a time limit for yourself. You might not be able to start at exactly 3 p.m. every day with the nature of how workdays flow but aim for having your tea within the same hour each day (or week) if possible. Once you find the right start time, set a time limit. Only you know how much time you need to carve out, but make sure it’s fair toward both you and your employer. Most afternoon tea times in our office were between 10 and 15 minutes.
Having tea alone in the office? Find a quiet spot to sit for a change of scenery or turn off the computer screen and take a few moments to read scripture, crack open a favorite novel, or pop in your headphones and listen to beautiful music. This is a time for refinement, connection, and peace.
Time for tea while working from home
While working from home has many perks, it can be difficult to provide both the structure and moments of interaction that an office job provides. Without co-workers to pop in for a quick chat or an informal lunch meeting, finding the rhythm for breaks takes intentionality. Finding time for an afternoon teatime break will bring a positive rhythm to the final hours of your workday.
Here are some suggestions to have a pleasant teatime while working from home:
Working at home will give you some flexibility for a change of scenery during teatime. Take advantage of that cozy nook in your home and light a candle or bring your tea outside on the porch to get some fresh air.
Leave the laptop and your phone by your work area if possible. If you really need to be accessible, you can turn up the volume on your phone but place it in a separate space from your teatime.
Find a thrifted teapot and teacup to add a touch of beauty. Spread a tablecloth or finely detailed place mat and have a small vase of flowers ready to add to your table for a final touch of intention and elegance. If your materials are ready to go, setting a beautiful table will only take a few moments.
Prepare an easy to serve snack. Perhaps cut up an apple, bake a frozen chocolate chip cookie dough ball, or enjoy a scone from the local bakery.
Focus on surrounding yourself with truth, beauty, and goodness. Create a custom teatime playlist with music that refreshes and rejuvenates. Connect to your speaker and let the beautiful music fill your home. Read from scripture, listen to a motivational podcast, or plan to call a friend while sipping your tea.
Just as if you were in an office setting, it’s important to set both a start time and a time limit for yourself. It can be so easy to get sucked into a work day and just “power through,” but allowing yourself to take a step away is good for your mind, body, and soul.
Time for tea with kids
Children and adults alike thrive from rhythm and purposeful moments for rest and connection. Whether you’re home all day with your kids or welcome them back home after their day at school, teatime is just right for a moment of pause between lessons, play, extracurricular activities, and your family evening routine.
Here are some suggestions to have an enjoyable teatime with children:
Set the tone with a beautiful tablescape. Even the youngest and wiggliest children will notice the difference of a table set with nice linens, beautiful glassware, and a lit candle. If we give children our best, they will be more likely to rise to the occasion with propriety.
Skip the plastic cups and serve their tea in an actual teacup and saucer. Perhaps they might even enjoy picking out their very own at the thrift store. Avoid sentimental glassware on the table that would result in sadness or anger if broken. If something breaks, it is best to be able to say, “Oh no. That’s okay, let’s clean it up together and be more careful next time.” If it’s going to make you cry when Grandma’s vintage teapot breaks, keep it in the cabinet.
Approach teatime with realistic expectations. Beverages and glassware on the table with children will result in spills and maybe even a broken glass. Children will wiggle a bit, ask for more honey in their tea five too many times, and insist on pouring their own tea until it’s overflowing onto the table linens. Teaching them how to move carefully and gracefully at the table is invaluable. Remember, this is a learning experience for them and a safe place to practice decorum and manners.
Before calling them to sit down for tea, ensure snacks are ready and the tea has fully steeped in the larger teapot and reached a good temperature. Teatime with children will not have the longevity of a fine high tea, so having their tea and snacks ready immediately will help with table manners.
Prepare an arsenal of lovely teas and snacks. Some favorite decaffeinated teas we enjoy are mint, chamomile, and vanilla, all served with extra honey. Snacks can vary between sliced apples and toast with jam to the ever-favorite chocolate chip cookie. Prepare a double or triple batch of a favorite cookie or scone and freeze them. This will make it simple to bake just enough for that day’s teatime snack.
Have a plan ready in case casual conversation is challenging. Teatime at my house is generally a time for reading aloud and discussing a favorite novel or fairy tale, looking at a beautiful painting and taking a moment to discuss, or listening to a selection from a composer of interest. This is a wonderful time for training in the art of conversation.
Whether you are enjoying tea time at home, in the office, or surrounded by children, this moment of refinement will bring joy and beauty to your afternoon.