8 Ways to Keep your Body Balanced through December

1.) Eat fermented foods - Include foods like raw sauerkraut, kombucha, or kimchee as a side to meals to keep the gut flora well populated and the immune system supported 2.) Sip hot water throughout the day – A little trick I learned from Ayurveda, sipping hot water throughout the day helps keep the lymphatic system moving. 3.) Do your best to have a regular sleep schedule – Adequate sleep is so important for physical and emotional resiliency and balance. Align the body with rhythmic sleeping cycles, getting to bed no later than 11pm as much as possible. 4.) Eat cooked, whole foods made at home – Yes, you might be going out for holiday parties more. But when you are home, nourish your body with meals you prepare with whole ingredients. Make hearty soups. Steam roots and drizzle tahini on them. Keep it simple. You need not wait until January to be good to yourself. 5.) Engage in ANYTHING that shifts the body into parasympathetic response (hint: things you love): Take a nap. Keep music on that soothes or enlivens your soul. Bundle up, go outside, and take all of Nature’s beauty. Allow yourself to release a good belly cry. Have an orgasm. 6.) Hugs for oxytocin – One of my favorites! Oxytocin is known as the “love hormone” or the “cuddle hormone,” When we hug someone, oxytocin is released into our bodies, lowering both our heart rates and our cortisol levels. 7.) Eat garlic and onion – members of the allium family, garlic and onion are said to contain sulfuric compounds that work as support the elimination of a variety of health concerns. Raw garlic is actually best but can do a number on your breath. Try making an easy blended soup, by sauteeing your favorite vegetables and blending with a clove of raw garlic. 8.) Sweat regularly – You don’t need 90 minutes to get a sweat in. Try a 20-minute cardio circuit at home. Warm-up for 2 minutes. Then alternate 60 second intervals of high-intensity cardio like mountain climbers, squat thrusts, burpees, speed skaters, jumping jacks, etc with 60 seconds of low-intensity movement…Follow with a 2 minute cool-down. Infrared saunas are also helpful this time of year to keep immunity strong. So, how would you like to see your December go? What habits can you set in place to support what you want for yourself? With love, Laura