Manage Stress

Yeah, this is a tall order, especially this time of the year. Since I don't have
a band of merry elves to help me shop, bake, respond to emails, clean
my house and wrap gifts, I found these are the next best thing to help with
overwhelm and stress... Bach Flower Rescue Pastilles.
These are affectionately known as "stress gummies" at my office. I seriously
don't leave my house without them. I often recommend them to patients because they work so well.

Bach Flower Rescue Pastilles are little gummies that contain five flower essences which are encapsulated in a small gummy logenze. You take them when you feel stressed, overly anxious, receive bad news or feel completely overwhelmed or distraught.  You can read more about them here.

If I know I'm going to have a super long, busy (possibly stress-filled) day, then I put one of these pastilles in my mouth and let it slowly dissolve as I get ready in the morning. Mind you, these don't make your stress disappear, but you will notice that it won't affect you as much. These pastilles help me feel more calm and grounded so I don't "fly off the handle" when things don't go as planned (e.g. your car breaks down, you hit every red light on your way to an appointment.. those sort of things).  You can buy them online at Amazon.com or Swanson's Vitamins and locally at Comfrey Corner.

Wash Your Hands and Stop Touching Your Face

Yes, we've all heard this before and it's such a simple thing, but we often forget to do it. Every time you go out and about- to the grocery store or bank, shopping at the mall, or picking your child up from school, you are touching door handles, shopping carts, ink pens and money that hundreds of other people have touched. Quite yucky when you think about it.  Sharing is caring, but not when it comes to germs.

The easiest way to combat all those germs is to wash your hands with soap and water. I know that there are many travel size hand sanitizers out there, but I still prefer good ol' soap and water. It's the first thing everyone in my family does when we get home if we've been anywhere- wash our hands. So don't touch your face, rub your eyes, itch your nose or eat anything without washing your hands first. It will keep you well.

Nature's Way Sambucus Lozenges

If you read my tip from earlier this week, you will know that I am a big fan of elderberry to help prevent colds.
These Sambucus Lozenges-I call my secret weapon. They look like cough drops, but oh, they are so much more! They contain elderberry, zinc and Vitamin C.  Bam! Triple whammy!
I pop these in my mouth at least once a day during the winter months. 

The taste is not amazing (due to the zinc), but I’ll deal with that instead of a runny nose, sore throat or fever any day. I found Swanson’s Vitamins online has the best prices.

Neti Pot

Rinse your sinuses a few times a week (or daily if needed) with warm, sterile salt water. I have to admit, I didn’t start
using a neti pot until this year because I was afraid. Yes, I knew the great benefits of using one, but I’ll admit, I was
scared the water would woosh up into a hidden sinus cavity and be stuck there forever. It doesn’t happen.
And when I use my neti pot regularly, I don't feel that sinus pressure around my eyes much and I can breathe so much easier.

Once I was shown how to use one correctly
(thanks, Dodi @ Restoring Light Yoga Therapy and Wellness Center)
it was easy. You can buy the salt packets or make your own
saline solution. Just make sure you use distilled water,
NOT tap water.

For more info about the benefits of using a neti pot or how to
safely use a neti pot, please click on the links below.

The Chopra Center
Web MD
Dr. Axe