Winter Wind Down: 8 Ways to Relax Naturally

Like every year, the holidays have come and are on their way out… but before you spin on your heels and head into the New Year, take these next few days and find some time for you. Make a point of taking a bit of time (whether it’s 30 minutes in the evening or taking the whole day off work one day this week) to just be with yourself and treat your mind, body and spirit with care. We often overexert ourselves during this time of year, and I’m here to remind you (and myself) that some self-love is crucial during these crazy days.

Now, grab yourself a cup of tea, cozy up on the couch, maybe even stoke the fire, because we’re about to run through LPN’s top natural relaxation tips for the winter. Oh, and did I mention that the relaxed feeling you get is also pretty darn good for anti-aging and your overall health too ;)

Tea Time! Drink Herbal Tulsi Tea

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But not just any herbal tea! Pick yourself up a box (or bag) of Organic Tulsi Tea (also known as Holy Basil). Tulsi is a sacred planet in India and well known for being an adaptogenic herb – that is, it enhances the body’s natural response to physical and emotional stress. Multiple scientific studies have examined the herb and have found that extracts of holy basil decrease stress hormone levels including corticosterone. So curl up on the couch, throw on your favourite Justin Bieber track music, and drink up (unless pregnant or breast feeding, in which case, there hasn’t been enough studies done to check for contraindications).

Where to Buy: 

Shop online at iHerb (and use code MEP206 for $5 to $10 USD off your next order)  

I love the brand pictured (loose leaf) as well as Organic India Tulsi, which is easy to find on iHerb from $4 USD – $7.50 (depends on bags vs. loose leaf)

Journal or Plan with Happiness in Mind with Happiness Planner

IMG_2721The end of the year is always a beuatiful time to reflect on what has been and, of course, what will be. Transitioning to a new year often comes with resolutions and big plans, but why not make happiness your big plan next year? Why not take some moments and think about how you would like to FEEL next year (as opposed to the long checklist we usually create for ourselves). The Happiness Planner is a whole new way of looking at how to see the future – with a focus on what really counts. I’m loving the gorgeous packaging, so it makes you feel happy just looking at the darn thing.

But in all seriousness, get your hands on one of these and start your new year off on the right foot.

Where to Buy: 

Online at Happiness Planner for $29 USD for 100 Days or 2016 Happiness Planner for $59 USD GET $5 OFF with this link. 

In Oslo, find yours at Leela Yoga

Herbal Facial Steam & Lavender Hydrosols

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Not only deeply relaxing, herbal steam baths open pores, and help to release of impurities (yes, including those toxins you’ve ingested over the holiday season). This particular steam pack from Mullein & Sparrow includes a lot of lavender — one of the best herbs for de-stressing and calming the mind — as well as chamomile and rose. It’s the perfect combo for an evening of self pampering.

Finish off your mini facial with their lavender hydrosol which hydrates and tones the skin – and the lavender is highly relaxing. Use it as a facial mist at anytime of the day you want a little reminder to just breathe.

Where to Buy:

Shop the herbal facial steam and hydrosol in a package direct from Mullein & Sparrow Online for $69 USD (includes facial mask and serum too!)

Facial Steam for $14 USD

Lavender Hydrosol for $18 USD

Get your (Spiritual) Read On

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Whatever types of books feed your spirit, take some time to unwind and curl up into a good book. Feed your mind with some new ideas, or your soul with some super satisfying fiction. Right now I’m working through some more spiritual reading – Caroline Myss’ Anatomy of the spirit is a fascinating read about healing and the connection between your spirit and health. This one was leant to me from one of my besties before I took off for the holiday – and I highly recommend it.

The chakra bible is a great “first read” for those interested in the chakras, their properties and how to work with them. I’m loving how this can easily help you learn how to work with the chakras in your day to day life and in your yoga practice.

Where to Buy:

Anatomy of the Spirit by Caroline Myss for $9 USD from Amazon

Chakra Bible for $12.50 USD from Amazon

Bath Time with Woodlot Salts & Candles

IMG_2736There are few things in this life that relax me more than a hot bath by candlelight – and it certainly helps when that candle is non-toxic and beautifully scented, and your bath salts infused with essential oils of peppermint.

I am LOVING Woodlot right now – focusing on small batches and pure ingredients, Woodlot is package and product perfect. The detoxifying mineral bath is made with Dead Sea salts and Himalayan pink salts,which combine with peppermint and rosemary to create a beautiful and rejuvenating bath.  Soaking in the tub while watching the 60-hour (good for 120 baths! ha!), clean-burning, coconut wax candle burn is lovely, especially as it lets off notes of orange and bergamot with cedar wood- fresh and a perfect bath time companion.

Where to Buy

Woodlot Coconut Wax Candle in Flora for $17 USD from Eco Diva Beauty

Woodlot Mineral Bath Salts in Recharge for $20 USD from Eco Diva Beauty

 Supplement with Natural Stress Relievers

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One of the most powerful dietary supplements for stress releif is ayurvedic herb Ashwagandha. This incredible super root is known for

  • Tonifying the immune system
  • Inspiring Vigor and Strength
  • Increasing the body’s levels of Super Oxide Dismutase 
  • Harmonize Mind, Body, and Spirit
  • Reduce the effects of mental, emotional, and physical stress

I take mine in mornings mixed in with smoothies, teas or just with water. Ashwagandha is considered an adaptogen, as it harmonizes physiological functions and supports hormone balance in men and women. In a recent study conducted by the U.S. National Library of medicine, it was reported that this tonic herb may help with asthma, arthritis, chronic fatigue, anemia, infertility, depression and blood pressure. All that being said, maybe it’s a good idea to grab a jar, even if you’re not feeling the holiday burn. ;)

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Dr. Bach’s most famous Flower Essence formula, Rescue Remedy, is one of the world’s best known natural stress relief remedies. You’ve seen this one on my Snapchat (snap.kate) a few times, as well as on my Instagram. Made from five Flower Essences: Cherry Plum, Clematis, Impatiens, Rock Rose and Star of Bethlehem. Rescue Remedy is all natural and great for healing everyday stress symptoms.

Where to Buy:

Sun Potion’s Ashwagandha $36.99 USD from Sun Potion OR $22.95 when you sign up for a membership with Thrive Market

Bach’s Flower Rescue Remedy at iHerb (use code MEP206 for $5 – $10 off) $17.86 USD

Diffuse High-Grade Essential Oils from Annmarie Skincare

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I LOVE Annmarie Skincare – you’ve seen me talk about her cosmetics here, her skincare here and here and her sunscreen here. Her high-grade esesntial oil blends are no different. She specializes in all that is good and natural – bringing the best quality and purest oils. My faves for winding down? Annmarie Skincare’s “Calm” blend and “Grounded“.  I diffuse my oils in a nebulizer, or add them to carrier oils and rub on my pressure points (inner wrists, under my ears etc.)

Calm is a great oil to diffuse during relaxation and meditation, as it helps you to create a sacred space for yourself. The combination of spruce oil lends freshness to this blend of florals, tied together with comforting frankincense and calming lavender and rose. It’s a simple, yet beautiful blend.

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Grounded is a peace-inducing blend with woody and earthy base notes with a touch of sweetness from essential oils of sandalwood, amyris, peru balsam, cedarwood, vetiver, amber (fossilized), copaiba balsam, galangal root, patchouli, ginger root, buddha wood, and turmeric root.

Where to Buy:

Online at Annmarie Skincare for $39.95 USD
Shop Calm here
Shop Grounded here

Shop all her essential oils here for $219 USD

Make Art

IMG_2741 copyCarve out some time and dig into your creative side. My mom and I (and my brother actually joined later in the evening) made these “Spirit Cards”. Kelsi, my yogi friend and bestie (she wrote this post on Gifts for the Yogi here) taught me about this super fun practice that is both meditative and fun. Here’s what you do:

  1. Collect old magazines from different types of style (maybe Natural Health mag, Yoga mags, Home mags, Lifestyle mags… anything really)
  2. Spend some time ripping out pages and pictures of things that you are drawn to (don’t just it, just rip it, no matter what it is)
  3. Then later on cut out the pieces of the pages that spoke to you
  4. Collect the pieces and colours and sort them into groups that ituitively feel good for you
  5. Paste in a collage type format however many images you wish (2 – 4 is usually good) onto some card stock
  6. Take those cards and make a “deck” (you can make a few cards at once, or maybe do one or two and make another few another time)
  7. Each day pull a Spirit Card, and explore what those images mean to you – how can they help you or what is your intuition saying to you

It is a very fun way to dig into your subconscious and it’s quite fun to do the magazine ripping with some friends or family members.

Well my loves, I hope you have a relaxing next few days before the New Year kicks off!

Lots of Love from my Canadian Home,

X

K