Reduce Stress During the Holidays and All Year Long

Many of us live from day to day, not thinking about our health or body until it begins to ache, a joint twinges, a headache starts. Then we try to remedy the problem. But-- wellness is a cumulative concept.

In our view, stress is one of the most harmful issues our bodies have to deal with in the modern world. Stress has been shown to affect our cardiovascular, immune, and endocrine systems, and increases our risk for heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, and the common cold.

So this time of year -- when there are lots of seasonal germs on the loose and ample seasonal stressors with upcoming holidays -- taking control of your stress is essential.

Feeling like we are in control reduces stress in our lives. There are several strategies you can use to help regain control, including focusing on daily exercise and nutrition, and making consistent use of support tools like meditation, scheduling, and journaling.

To get started, start small. Make a point to do one simple, satisfying thing for yourself every day. It can be a short walk, making a fresh mug of herbal tea, or even taking an aromatic bath.

As this is the holiday season, we'd like to share our Slow Down Herbal Bath Blend recipe from our Aromatic Gifts Guide, which you can download here. Enjoy!

Slow Down Herbal Bath Blend

• Lavender flowers
• Rosemary leaves
• Peppermint leaves
• Chamomile flowers
• Calendula flowers

Rub the herbs together through a sieve. Weigh out 1 oz and package into herbal sachets for the bath.Hang from the faucet when drawing a bath so that the water will filter through the sachet when filling the tub. Then place the sachet in the water and let it soak in the water while bathing.

How do you manage your stress every day? During the holidays? Leave a comment with your best stress-busting tips (and herbal recipe blends!).