How To Stay Well In The Winter

Stay Mentally and Physically Healthy This Season With These Easy Steps

This time of year it is so easy to get over-stressed and run down. My number one secret for staying in good health during the holidays is to get adequate amounts of sleep and relaxation. Christmas used to be a very stressful season for me and I would usually end up spending my holiday sick, or just exhausted. It is amazing how quickly a stressed mental state of being will affect our physical state of being. Now, when I start feeling anxious about all there is to do, I know it is time to stop and reevaluate things.

Here are a few other tips to try to remember to stay physically and emotionally healthy this time of year:

One – Consider Your Focus this Season

Take a minute to consider: What importance does this season hold for you? Try to focus on these things instead of what commercials are saying you need to value.

Are there things you are stressing about getting done that are not as important as you might be making them out to be? What are some areas that you can give yourself a little slack on right now? For example – does your house really need to be spotless?

Two – Stay Hydrated

It is easy to want to drink only hot cocoa this season, but do not forget how important water is to your health! I know it is cold outside, so drink your water warm. Add a little lemon juice to your water first thing in the morning to help you detox.

Three – Ask for Help

Ask friends, spouse, and children for help around the house and with errands, and then don’t feel as if you need to go behind and redo everything. Appreciate and respect their help, even if it is not how you would have done things.

Four – Take Time for Yourself

A nice hot bath with epsom salts and lavender essential oils can be very soothing to your mind and your aching muscles. Epsom salts are magnesium, and this mineral is a natural relaxant. Add about one cup of epsom salts and roughly 20 or so drops of lavender to hot bath water.

Take a minute to enjoy a nice cup of hot tea. Many cultures make time for tea every day. This is a wonderful habit because it ensures that there will always be at least some time for relaxation.

Here is a challenge: Do not put your tea in a travel mug! Sit down and sip on it slowly while doing something pleasurable, such as reading a book, visiting with a loved one, or simply decompressing after a long day.

I love this tea recipe from my mother-in-law, not only is it festive and gives the house a wonderful aroma, but it is also great for fighting off colds and strengthening the immune system.

Simple Orange-Ginger Tea

Author: Katie Palmer

Recipe type: Tea

Prep time: 10 mins

Cook time: 20 mins

Total time: 30 mins

A Simple Immune-Boosting and Soothing Tea for Winter

Ingredients

Oranges
Fresh Ginger
Local Honey
Cinnamon Sticks (optional)

Instructions

With a vegetable peeler remove the zest off of oranges, and peel the ginger. Discard the ginger peel.
Chop the ginger into chunks.
In a saucepan add chopped ginger and orange zest. Cut open the oranges and squeeze the juice into the pan. Add enough water for the amount of cups you are making.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for at least 20 minutes.
Strain tea into cups.
Add honey to taste.
Enjoy!
This recipe has no exact measurements. Play around with the amounts until it meets your likings.