The holidays are a wonderful time of the year! So full of cheer, friends, family, laughs, gatherings, and fun! We all want to enjoy this time to it’s fullest! It’s important to take care of ourselves best we can during this time so we can dance through the season full of energy and happiness!
Simple steps to keep YOUR body, mind, and soul healthy and happy this holiday season! Pick a few, or try them all to give your body the ultimate old one- two punch!
- Stay Hydrated: Drink water, and TONS of it EVERY DAY! You need to be well hydrated for your cells to work properly. Drinking water also helps maintain a healthy heart rate and blood pressure! You need adequate fluid to produce lymph, an important bodily fluid and component of the immune system. ALL systems of the body work better in a water-rich environment. Water helps flush toxins, improves energy, boosts mood, reduces internal stress, helps the digestion system, reduces bloat, and so much more! Keep bottles of water with you at all times! Drink some every half hour or hour during the day. You’ll be less likely to get dehydrated and feel stressed. Remember, don’t wait until you feel thirsty to drink. Thirst occurs when you’re already dehydrated. The goal is at least 1/2 your body weight in oz/day.
- Sleep: Not sleeping enough (less than seven hours per night for adults) increases stress levels and inflammation in our bodies. This can reduce the amount of antibodies we make to fight illnesses like the flu. Give your body a hand with fighting sickness this season by aiming to get 7-9 hours of sleep each night
- Calm the nervous system: Deep breathing/stretching Remember, detox is a parasympathetic process, so if you’re on the go all the time and under too much stress, this will make it very difficult for the liver and other detox organs to do their job“When the body is dominated by the sympathetic nervous system it diverts resources to the muscles (fight or flight) and away from organs (rest and digest). Stress affects our bodies in many different ways: our muscles tighten and energy is shunted away from our repair and renewal system—and this means that we will not be detoxifying optimally. For this reason, our bodies will store more toxins in fat cells when we are stressed because they do not have the energy required to convert and excrete them.
- Garlic: Consume lots of garlic. Garlic supports your liver and is a great remedy for fighting respiratory illnesses and colds in the winter season and keeping the immune system top notch! It contains vitamin A and vitamin C that are great for immunity, AND has antiviral properties! Garlic can boost antibodies to fight bacteria you’ll inevitably come into contact with while traveling or hugging all those friends and relatives! It also contains selenium, a mineral that helps to detoxify the liver and it has the ability to activate liver enzymes that can help your body naturally flush out toxins! Incredible!
- Move gently: a walk, yoga, meditation, deep breathing.Just 20 minutes of moderate exercise, like walking, each day can help increase dopamine in the brain, reducing stress and promoting a better mood.In a similar fashion to laughing and thinking positively, the mood-boosting aspects of exercise can help improve immunity. Plus, regular movement can help you sleep better!
- Detox Bath: Your stress hormones, mainly cortisol, will lower and your body will start to detox. Just make sure to drink a big glass of water to help flush out those toxins! 2 cups of Epsom salts, 1 cup of baking soda, 1 cup Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar, 10 drops of lavender oil, and soak for 20 minutes.
- Dry Brushing: Helps detoxify the body by increasing blood circulation and promoting lymph flow/drainage. Dry brushing unclogs pores in the exfoliation process. It also stimulates your nervous system, which can make you feel energized afterward! How to Dry Brush:You always start on dry skin using a natural bristled brush. Start from the feet/ankles and work your way upward in long fluid strokes on limbs and circular motions on torso and back. Move in the upward direction. It can be sensitive on the abdomen, breasts and neck, so lighten up pressure as needed.A long handle is helpful so that you can get to the back, which can be brushed in downward strokes. A few overlapping swipes per area is enough. If you go over one area too long, you can actually break the integrity of the skin and cause irritation or bleeding. You generally do this once each day before you shower.
- Dandelion Tea: A few of the many benefits of Dandelion Tea- Detoxifies the liver, helping keep your whole body healthy. The vitamins and nutrients present in dandelions help in cleansing and maintaining the proper functioning of our liver. Good for Digestion. Dandelion tea can have many positive effects on your digestive system. Acts as a Diuretic. …Reduces Water Weight. …Powerhouse of Antioxidants. ...Fights Diabetes & cancer!
- Baking Soda Drink: Drinking baking soda water can have many health benefits! Here are just a few: Raise your pH, alkalize the blood which cleanses the gut, thus boosting your immune system as well as reducing overall inflammation and preventing uric acid build up in the joints! 1/2 tsp aluminum free baking soda 8 oz of water once/day **Always consult with a doctor**
- Elderberry syrup: High in antioxidants, vitamin C and E, this powerhouse berry surpasses all other berries in health promoting nutrients. It is best known for supporting your immune system but it also supports your digestive tract (the largest part of your immune system lives there) and your brain! Taking 1 Tablespoon each day imparts delicious protection. How to make Elderberry Syrup:Ingredients
3½ cups water
2/3 cup black elderberries (dried, or 1 1/3 cups fresh or frozen)
2 TBSP fresh ginger (grated)
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp ground cloves
3/4 cup Organic raw honeyInstructions
Pour water into a medium saucepan and add the elderberries, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.
Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce to a simmer for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the liquid has reduced by almost half.
Remove from heat and let cool until it is cool enough to be handled.
Mash the berries carefully using a spoon or other flat utensil.
Pour through a strainer into a glass jar or bowl.
Discard the elderberries and let the liquid cool to lukewarm.
When it is no longer hot, add the honey and stir well.
When the honey is well mixed into the elderberry mixture, pour the syrup into a mason jar or 16 ounce glass bottle of some kind.
Store in the fridge. - Just Say NO– If you are feeling overwhelmed don’t be afraid to say no or take a step back to take time for yourself. This time of the year can be busy, but it is also meant to be enjoyed, so remember to honor YOU in the process! and remember…. Just eat REAL food
Wishing you the happiest, healthiest holiday season full of laughter, love and honoring you!
S.H.- REAL Food. REAL Life. REAL Simple.
* I say holiday to refer to ALL of the wonderful traditions during this time of the year, including the New Year! 🙂
