It's 3 p.m. and aside from watching the clock tick by, all you can think about is what snacks you can snag to make the day go by faster. I readily admit to sneaking a bag of chips or a sweet treat rather than an apple when I hit my midday lull. Instead of raiding the refrigerator, take a break from your computer to brew a cup of green tea. Plant chemicals called EGCG can magically make you feel full, so you'll feel like you just ate a pan of brownies (minus the guilt). Bonus: Green tea is also shown to give you energy, so you won't get the crash you get from carb- or sugar-laden afternoon snacks -- and it helps keep your body from storing fat. So long, love handles!

Remember all that anxiety I mentioned? Well, let's just say those bouts of stress do not make for restful nights. Enter valerian root, the sandman of tea. Valerian root has been used for a variety of health issues including muscle pain, anxiety and menopausal hot flashes, but it's most common use is as a natural sleep aid. Valerian acts as a mild sedative, helping you sleep better and uninterrupted.

For those days you forget your breath mints (or forgot to brush your teeth), a cup of polyphenol-rich black tea can save you from embarrassing bad breath. The antioxidants can stop plaque and other buildup from adhering to your teeth. Plus, if you're game to swish and spit your tea (not as relaxing as simply enjoying a cup), a study by Pace University found that rinsing with black tea can inhibit bacteria growth and destroy the acids that cause tooth decay. Just remember that tea, like coffee, can stain your pearly whites, so don't even think of using it as a toothpaste replacement.

If sugar cravings are your biggest vice, skip the crash (and the calories) and opt for a cup of licorice root tea, which is naturally sweet and has only two calories per cup. Licorice root is actually 50 times sweeter than sugar, so although it doesn't seem like it could take the place of a big bowl of ice cream, your sweet tooth will quit its fussing. However, like anything else, drink licorice tea in moderation. The University of Maryland Medical Center warns over 20 grams of licorice root a day can lead to increased blood pressure and other ailments.

Sleep seems to be in short supply these days, and with less sleep comes more trips to Starbucks. Before you know it, an innocent cup-a-day coffee routine can turn into a full-blown habit, complete with $5 lattes and withdrawal headaches when you can't get your fix. For a more natural pick-me-up, switch to ginkgo tea. Ginkgo tea not only wakes you up, but also gives you a boost of brainpower by aiding the brain in metabolizing glucose for energy to improve mental function. Translation: It makes sure your brain is getting all the nutrients it needs to solve even the toughest crossword clue.