Being your best, most happy, self takes work. Fighting inflammation takes work. Reducing stress (to fight inflammation) takes work. But, that work can be fun. Here are 5 ways to quickly fight inflammation in your life and reduce your stress:
1. Make yourself a healthy breakfast!
It has been said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I totally agree. If possible with your work schedule, make sure to make a couple of healthy breakfast options on the weekend that will help set you up for success throughout the work week. Some awesome breakfast ideas include: single serving chia pudding, making a frittata to reheat (though I'd highly recommend removing the cheese from the recipe to fight inflammation), having fruit available, or cooking yourself an egg (or two) with veggies! All of these options are quick and easy ways to have a healthy breakfast that doesn't take you too long in the morning.
2. Making yourself a relaxing cup of tea!
Tea is not only good for your body, but good for your soul as well. There is nothing better than drinking a cup of tea (unless maybe you're also having some dark chocolate too). Tea has many health benefits, including the ability to help healthy skin growth and bone strength. For the added anti-inflammatory benefit, make yourself a cup of ginger tea or turmeric tea.
3. Drink some coffee!
Though I'm more of a tea drinker, I know that coffee has its time and place. When you need an extra push to get out the door, to get excited about your work week, or to even begin a new adventure: coffee is the correct answer. Though the Arthritis Foundation has found that coffee is not a likely cause of autoimmune arthritis like RA, it does suggest that you keep your coffee intake to 1-2 cups a day.
4. Make your home a place that you like to be!
This might not actually be a quick fix... however, if you make a little effort to make your home a place that you like to be, you'll feel more relaxed and better when you are home. Since those of us who fight inflammation often tend to be stuck home more than others, it is important to take the effort to make your home a place that you love to be. Famous wallpaper and fabric designer William Morris once said, "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful." Following this simple statement, will make your home a much happier place to be.
5. Spend time with people who make you happy!
This one seems like a no brainer, but sometimes we forget to follow it. When you are fighting inflammation, when you are sick, when you are having a hard time, those are the times that you need to get out of your own head. Go talk to a friend about the things that are happening in their life. Ask them questions. Be a listener. Laugh. When we are able to separate ourselves from our own stresses and be a comfort to others, we open ourselves up to living our best and least stressful life.
