Winter months in Seattle bring a great deal of grey skies, drizzly rain, and an all-around dampened mood. We do get a few nice days here and there (Monday and Tuesday this week), but it isn’t enough to get us through the whole season. Here are some tips for maintaining health and wellness until we get to summer. Put good stuff in your body and keep active! 

SUJA JUICE

Suja, meaning long, beautiful life, embodies the promise that flows from the cold-pressured beverages it delivers in each and every bottle. Suja was founded by four diverse San Diegans from different walks of life that came together in the most unexpected of circumstances to form what is now the fastest growing organic, cold-pressured and Non-GMO beverage company in the U.S. Suja’s story all began from a shared dream to help people everywhere transform their lives through conscious nutrition.

Through the large-scale use of organic, Non-GMO fruits and vegetables, and implementation of a breakthrough displacement technology called High Pressure Processing (HPP), Suja Juice has become the nation’s leading organic and cold-pressured juice brand. I didn’t understand the fuss about “cold-pressured” processing until I learned that using High Pressure Processing (HPP), instead of high heat, extends shelf life and helps maintain essential vitamins, minerals & enzymes. Learn more at ColdPressured.org.

I’ve been drinking Suja juice for a couple of years and still love their classic line as well as their other concepts, including their new probiotic line. It’s also incredibly affordable compared to other brands. Right now Whole Foods has a bunch of flavors on sale: 2 for $7. They are cold-pressured, always organic, never (ever) GMO, chemical-free, filler-free, gluten-free, preservative-free, juice without the junk. Get some Suja in you. So you can get back to living a long, beautiful life.

Drink the love at a store near you.

HAPPY LIGHT | VITAMIN D

Brighten your work space with the assistance of some light therapy. Studies show some people with clear histories of Seasonal Affect Disorder (SAD) for at least several years showed “marked improvement within a week, if not sooner, and symptoms usually return in about the same amount of time when the lights are withdrawn.”

Symptoms of SAD may include:

• Irritability
• Tiredness or low energy
• Problems getting along with other people
• Hypersensitivity to rejection
• Heavy, “leaden” feeling in the arms or legs
• Oversleeping
• Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates
• Weight gain

There is support that supplementing Vitamin D has also shown improvement in symptoms of SAD. Vitamin D can be found at any drug store and is over-the-counter. However, you should consult with your physician to determine if it is right for you. The National Institute of Health (NIH) has more information on Vitamin D.

I looked on Amazon to research which one to buy (Amazon Prime is one of the greatest enhancements to my life that enables my lazy shopping habits with 2-day shipping). I have a Verilux one that works great—the 5000 lux* on Amazon is $39, 7500 lux for $69, or NatureBright SunTouch has 2000+ reviews for $56.

*SI unit of illuminance and luminous emittance

EXERCISE | COREPOWER YOGA

Unlike other yoga studios, CorePower Yoga (CPY) offers different heat levels for their classes. Typical hot yoga studios are about 102-104 degrees, CPY has 88-91, 92-95, 95-98, 100-103, and 102-104. They have creative classes that meld movement, breath, heat, and music into entrancing routines to energize the body and mind. Their teachers are approachable, competent, and hands-on. They lead classes in a dynamic way with demonstration and verbal cues.

There’s currently a deal on Groupon $75 for one month unlimited yoga class ($190 value). Locations in Ballard, Bellevue, and Capitol Hill.

There are countless benefits to including yoga in your weekly routine. You’ll turn stress into sweat, rigid into fluid, increase circulation, flexibility and strength, while enhancing sleep quality. A regular practice (at least 3x/week) has been shown to improve the symptoms of many chronic diseases (e.g. arthritis, diabetes, and thyroid disorders).

WELLNESS TEAS | TEAVANA

Teavana introduced a new line of wellness teas in January featuring seven loose-leaf blends that are an easy and delicious way to support a healthy lifestyle. My favorites are Defense (it’s sick season!), Serenity to relax as I read and wind down my day, and Purify as I strive for optimal health in 2016. Can’t decide on which flavor to try? Try the sampler for $39.

• Defense: Bolster your defense system with the positive powers of vitamin C, along with white tea and blackberry leaves, deliciously combined with notes of lime, pineapple and orange.
• Purify: For hydrated, glowing skin, sip this renewing white tea blend with touches of jasmine and citrus.
• Rev Up: Boost your metabolism with the enlivening action of this black, oolong and green tea blend brightened with tropical fruit notes
• Serenity: a blend of chamomile, orange and rose petals that will help unwind before bed
• Rejuvenate: a blend of black tea and yerba maté to help invigorate
• Recover: a detoxifying blend of green tea and mint, plus 50 percent of recommended daily value of vitamin C
• Comfort: a blend of ginger, spearmint and peppermint to help balance your being

Only four more months until summer…