Winter Wellness
Recently, I read an article called "Winter Wellness Guide" in my new favorite magazine, Whole Living ... and the suggestions they gave to help your body stay healthy during the bleak winter months were awesome. It was a rather lengthy article to even try to reproduce, not to mention I don't think I could legally do that anyway ... so here's my own paraphrase of just a couple of the different sections. Hope you're able to find some helpful tips to try for you and your family 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"What can I do if my throat is sore and I feel a cold coming on?"
Drink green tea ... a wonderful immune-system supporter and "... the best food source of catechins, plant compounds that halt oxidati
ve damage to cells." Basically, green tea is wonderful for preventing and treating colds. It can have a bitter taste, so try looking for a flavored green tea or use fresh ginger and pomegranate ... my favorite green tea with jasmine, orange and passion-fruit.
Here's the green tea recipe found in Whole Living magazine ... sounds pretty yummy to me!!
** Green Tea w/Lemon and Pomegranate, serves 2 **
Cover 2 tsp. green tea (or 2 tea bags) with 2 cups boiling water, 2 thin slices smashed ginger, 1-2 lemon wedges, 1/4 cup lightly crushed pomegranate seeds, and 2 Tbsp. honey or to taste. Let tea leaves or tea bags steep for 3-5 minutes, remove and enjoy!!
Take Echinacea ... can help decrease the duration of a cold if taken within 1-2 days of symptoms beginning.
Wash hands frequently with soap and warm water ... a no-brainer, really, but always a good reminder =)
"What can I do if I'm EXHAUSTED and want my energy back??"
Eat a balanced diet of whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, fruits and veggies ... this will help your blood sugar to stay at a stable level ... and drink plenty of water -- dehydration = fatigue.
Sleep more ... a recent study shows that people who sleep less than 7 hrs a night are more likely to get sick than those who sleep 8 hrs ... help yourself unwind with herbs such as lemon balm, valerian or try meletonin, which helps harmonize sleep cycles. I know, I know ... sleep, esp. for parents, is sometimes non-exisistent ... but, from recent personal experience, if you can take a night or two during the week to get 8 hrs of sleep and you'll wake up feeling energized and invincible =)
Exercise and Leisure ... a good morning exercise routine does wonders for helping to keep focused and give you the ability to better manage your day. A new study has also shown that just 6 mins of leisure activity can reduce stress by 68% ... and if you're able to 'lose yourself' in a hobby or book -- even better!!! This helps your heart and breathing rates to to slow which ultimately allows your body to relax.
| < Prev |
|---|
