4 Ways to Stay Healthy and Stress-Free this Holiday Season

It's the season of lowered immune systems and increased stress levels. Not only is it getting colder, but many of us are struggling to do our Christmas shopping and rushing from one Holiday Party to the next.
We all know that as soon as our stress levels go up, we are at risk of getting sick. Here are a few tips of how to stay healthy and stress free this winter!

1. Vitamins, Vitamins, Vitamins
My sister showed me this yummy DYI Ginger Lemon Tea years ago and it is still my go-to drink when it gets cold. And it makes me think of her, which is an added benefit! Ginger is a powerful anti-inflammatory herb that is known to aid in building the immune system and also reducing nausea. Lemon is extremely high in Vitamin C and a really affordable ingredient. 
To make this tea: Peel fresh ginger root and cut about 10 penny sized slices. Add ginger to about 2 cups of boiling water for 15 minutes. Add the juice of 1 lemon to a cup and strain the ginger water into the cup. Add some honey for sweetness.
Side note: my friend Holly gave me a great alternative to this recipe the other day...follow my recipe, but add a pinch of Cayenne and some mint. Refrigerate and drink over ice!


2. Set the Mood & Calm Your Nerves
One of my favorite gifts from my last birthday was an Aroma Essential Oil Diffuser, which I use so much during the day while I work, that I have bought a second one to keep in the bedroom. It comes with different settings for lighting, which I love for when I go to bed. My favorite scent out of this 6 pack of essential oils is the Lemongrass. It really freshens the air...especially after cooking in a small apartment. For a calming effect, I use the Lavender and Orange...a combination my boyfriend came up with...yes, he loves this diffuser, too! It's all about setting a calm mood with lighting and scents in order to keep your stress levels to a minimum!


3. Open Your Mind to Meditation
I know this one might sound tough at first, but all you need is your breath and a few quiet minutes a day. My mind runs wild all the time and it is ok when that happens during meditation. It takes practice, but trust me, if you learn how to bring yourself to a peaceful and calm place through breathing and setting an intention, you can get through almost any stressful situation or feeling. Rebecca Pacheco, author of this amazing book Do Your Om Thing, writes: "Neuroscience offers evidence that our brains are impacted by meditation, citing evidence such as MRI scans that show heightened levels of activity in the brains of Buddhist monks...In other words, meditation practice can reshape our lives, from the inside out. Practice loving-kindness, through meditation and living, to fall in love with the gift of your life". Here is a link to a really great guided meditation to start your day: Guided Morning Meditation. If you prefer one for sleep or anxiety, just go to YouTube and search for your preference. 


4. Spend Your Time Wisely
Last, but certainly not least, spend your time with the people who matter. Between all the shopping, work, and Holiday Parties, do the things you love. Do what makes you happy! It's ok to say "no" to certain invitations...pick from the ones that are closest to your heart. My family lives in Germany and especially when I am unable to see them for the Holidays, I get sad. But I choose to look for the things that make me happy during this time. This weekend my other half and I visited Sparta, NJ for its' annual German Christmas Market. Although it is not the same as being in Berlin for Christmas, it brought a little piece of home to NJ. We had Gluehwein (German mulled wine) and Schweinshaxe (pork shank) with Spaetzle (German dumplings) and red cabbage. If you want to experience a great Christmas market, this is the closest thing to a Weihnachtsmarkt that I have seen in the Tri-State Area. So, make time for the people and activities that matter. Spend less money on gifts, but rather on making memories.


Hope you all stay healthy this winter!
Love, 
Lena

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