- Drink Lots of Water
If you have joint or digestive problems drinking more water may be your answer. Your brain needs 500ml of water per day, if you don’t supply that it takes water from your body, including your joints and digestive system. Water is essential for the daily functions of our body, about 60% of our bodies are made up of water. Often due the cold we drink less, and spend more time indoors in a heated environment which leads to dehydration. This can also cause headaches, back pain, reduce toxin release and kidney function. If you can get used to keeping a water bottle with you, this is an easy way to ensure the body is getting enough fluid. A nice herbal tea is another way to enjoy hydrating in the colder weather.
- Exercise Regularly
Exercise has many benefits, it warms you up, releases chemicals to help you feel good, and decreases depression and anxiety that many of us are experiencing at this time. Exercise strengthens your body, and decreases the risk of many diseases. It can also help you sleep better! Moving a little bit is better than nothing at all! If you are unable to make the time to work out, it is important to still pay attention to how many hours you spend sitting. Make sure to get up and move around when you can. Your body will thank you! Even simple exercises such as walking on the spot regularly can be beneficial if you are unable to venture out walking or other intensive exercise. Try doing a few squats or star jumps to get your blood flowing to help warm you up and raise your heart rate.
- Maintain a Healthy Diet
Yes this can be tricky when we can’t go out and about as much at the moment. Many of us have been trying new recipes and eating them! We like to recommend having a balance. Balance and moderation are beneficial for just about anything in life. Everything we put into our bodies plays a part in our health, so it is crucial that we are supplying our bodies with the good nutrients that it needs. A poor diet lacking the vitamins and minerals that the body needs can lead to a weakened immune system. Growing your own vegetables can be a rewarding experience, time and money saver as well as fresh and chemical free!
Here’s a great smoothie you can make at home to increase your energy levels
Magnesium Lift
Although Magnesium is essential for energy production, it is commonly low in many people’s diet, especially athletes/gym junkies and sports people. This creamy and hydrating mix will help to improve magnesium levels. It is also especially rich in electrolytes, potassium and sodium (all trace elements and minerals needed for a well-functioning body). The addition of wheatgrass powder adds an alkalizing punch to refresh and revitalise the body.
Here’s what you need:
½ Banana
¼ ripe avocado, peeled and chopped
1 handful of frozen berries
1 ½ tsp shelled hemp seeds
½ tsp wheatgrass powder
¼ cucumber, chopped
1 tbsp. raw cacao nibs
200ml coconut water (or water) and extra if needed
Chop the banana and put it into a freezer bag. Exclude all the air, then seal and freeze. Put the frozen banana into a blender and add the remaining ingredients. Blend until smooth and creamy, adding a little more water if needed. Enjoy!
- Enjoy a bath
Nothing beats a soak in the hot tub on a cold winter’s day after a long day at work. Add some soothing bath salts to relax and soothe your muscles and bones. Then hop into bed with a warmed up wheat pack to snuggle up to. Bliss!
- Make Sleep a Priority
Sleep allows our bodies to debrief, detox, process, and recharge. It lowers inflammation in the body and allows us to feel rejuvenated upon waking the next morning. Feeling rested can result in higher levels of concentration throughout the day, increased productivity, and decreased amounts of depression and anxiety. Increase your amount of uninterrupted sleep and see how much of a positive impact it has on your week. Need help with that? Calcium helps you fall asleep but Magnesium allows you to sleep for longer so make sure you have enough of each of these. Guided meditations can also help when your mind is too busy, there are lots of good free apps for your phone, I like Insight Timer, others like Calm, why not have a look and give them a try!
- DO YOU KNOW THAT WINTER IS THE SEASON FOR NEW BEGINNINGS!
CERTAIN BODY PARTS ARE WANTING TO BE HEARD!
Courtesy of Jean Sheehan from Millennium Education – Medical Intuition
THYMUS It’s time for changes.
GALL BLADDER You have new decisions to make, no more people pleasing.
HEART Can you make plans for self-love and nurturing?
LIVER Wants you to plan for and organise your new decisions.
WHAT IS YOUR BODY TRYING TO COMMUNICATE TO YOU?
- Winter Warmer in a cup
From soothing the symptoms of a cold, cough or an upset stomach, ginger tea can do wonders for your overall health.
Gingers antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties make this aromatic herb a remedial friend during these colder months. Not only does ginger work to help boost the immune system, it’s thermogenic properties increase circulation and accelerate metabolic activity creating warmth in the body.
Try this tea if feeling a little sniffly, or just wanting some winter warming.
1tsp ginger root, grated
11/2 tsp honey
2 cloves
2 cm cinnamon bark
21/2 cm strip orange peel
Bring your cupful of water to bubbling boil. Add the ingredients and reduce heat to low.Steep for about 15 mins, strain into cup and enjoy!