’Tis the Season: Take Five
It’s mid-December, and already, most of the women I talk with are feeling the crunch of the holiday hassles. It’s difficult to glow with the season if we’re worn out before the festivities begin!
Although the true Winter season suggests a quieter, restful, comfort-and-joy time, most calendars groan under the load of seasonal and holiday activities. Contemporary technology and progress sometimes takes us farther from the simple basics of nature’s rhythms. By this time of year, many women are feeling the adverse affects of chronic busyness on their overall health and vitality. Several of my clients suffer frequent—but often unnecessary—illness, pain and emotional upheaval during the Winter.
Pain, restlessness or distress often indicate that it is time to make some lifestyle changes— physically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually—for optimum wellness.
In Winter, a voice says: “Be gentle, slow down, let your soul catch up with your body.”
Verna Patrick quoted from Health Wisdom for Women (January 1998)
I’ve learned through the years, that I accomplish more with less mental fatigue when I stop and take five––which usually turns into ten-minutes––to give my brain-focus a much needed mental rest. Of course, my body appreciates a few minutes of recharge time also! I’ve listed a few of my favorite resting activities for this fast and full season:
• Read a few pages from one of my brain-teaser books to shift my brain’s creative processes.
• Play a silly game to use my “thinking-cells” differently.
• Sing-a-long with Christmas/Holiday songs. Make up words to “My Favorite Things” depending on what’s going on in my world that day.
• Take the stairs (in my house) to get up from my desk/away from my computer to stimulate circulation to my brain. I do two sets up and down to reinvigorate my mind––and heart.
• A cup of Christmas tea brings a sense of relaxation in the midst of busy-ness.
• Pomegranate Juice makes a healthful holiday “time-out” beverage
May this season be Merry-full in every way.
Pomegranate to the rescue for Winter Wellness
With more than 100 phytochemicals, this jewel red berry offers numerous health benefits for this season:
• Exceptionally high in antioxidants––more than red wine or green tea––40-percent of Vitamin C’s daily requirement
• Memory protection and improvement
• Anti-inflammatory protection and oxidative stress preventer––supports healthy digestion and joint mobility • Supports a healthy heart, blood pressure and cholesterol levels
• Anti-viral properties (great for bacterial and fugal infections)
Pomegranate seeds add a colorful––and healthy––surprise to your seasonal foods and beverages:
• Sprinkle a palmful of the holiday-red pomegranate seeds into holiday cocktails for a festive seasonal sparkler
• Steep pomegranate seeds in brandy, then add to champagne for a festive holiday delight
• Top creamy vanilla ice cream with jewel red pomegranate seeds