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Seeking “Warm and Fuzzy” Now More than Ever

No matter what ails you this season, here’s how to make it all better.

Health
Seeking “Warm and Fuzzy” Now More than Ever

Presenting: the latest dispatch from Sharon Ainsberg, the fabulous co-founder of SHO+CO, a boutique bi-coastal agency that focuses on celebrity and influencer initiatives. In case you missed it, she last shared her concern over the impending Presidential election, and this month she’s helping us all cope with any physical results. If you’re still feeling stressed or scared (who isn’t?) look no further than her first post!

 


Okay, I’m not going to make this political. I swear I am not. I’m not going to say that everyone’s getting sick—not just because cold and flu season is upon us, but really because the compounded effects of fear, anger, depression, panic, disillusionment, and astonishment (feel free to insert another 30 or so post-election adjectives here) are taking their toll on our bodies right now. I am not going to say that, not a chance. I will tell you that my shrink admitted to me that she couldn’t get out of bed on November 9th. Yup. Let me tell you straight out, when your shrink can’t get out of bed, some might argue it’s either time for a new shrink or time to consider that the world’s gone completely mental. I’m going with the latter.

I don’t want to state the obvious, but since the unexpected rise of TOM (see November’s post for reference), everyone around me is getting sick; our resistance is at an all-time low. And I’m a big believer that when your heart is sick, your body often follows suit.

With that in mind, I am here with a few tips to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps, knock the dust off, and get right back on this horse, healthy and ready for some serious action. We are going to need our mental, physical, and emotional well-being in check, because we’ve got a lot of work to do these next four years. So here are a few of my favorite remedies to maintain wellness, knock out a dastardly cold, and stay warm and cozy throughout. This is about keeping your body on high-power, peak performance and going into this winter like a champ. The Women’s March on Washington on January 21, 2017, is going to be an ass-kicker of a freezing day, I reckon; you’d better get your shit together and be in fighting shape. Laryngitis doesn’t exactly befit an activist. Talk about a buzzkill.

I recently helped nurse my dear friend Gwen Flamberg (Beauty Director of Us magazine) back to health over a weekend when she got hit with a debilitating head cold. She encouraged me to share my winning illness-fighting secrets (and I naturally rely on all of her beauty advice). Here are a few of my go-to’s for preventing a cold and/or beating one down with a stick:

 

Ester-C

 

This is a patented immune health formula of Vitamin C that is probably one of the most powerful on the market—I am a huge believer in its efficacy and it blows away Emergen-C and Airborne. This is the brand I take. Keep in mind, in pill form, these are fit for a horse, so those with pill-swallowing phobias might need a coach or at least someone present who is familiar with the Heimlich maneuver.

 

Turmeric (Curcumin Root)

 

A natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant (it’s great for joint, brain, and general health). Take it in whatever form you like. I take these every day along with the Ester-C horse pill above. But Turmeric powder (found in any spice section at the supermarket) can be added to your smoothie, put in your tea, or mixed in your juice. Just look for the purest extract you can find for maximum benefits.

 

Shazza’s Hot Toddie

 

I take pride in this particular recipe, which will send your head or chest cold a-runnin’. You can make this with or without spirits (although I’m convinced a little bourbon or brandy will lull you into a heavenly REM sleep). First, boil water and prepare your cup with a shot of Bulleit or Maker’s Mark bourbon. Add a heaping teaspoon of raw honey (lavender honey if you have it), a 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon or clove (or a stick of either), a sprinkle of cayenne pepper, and two squeezed or muddled lemon wedges. Pour in your piping-hot water and stir.

 

The Neti Pot

 

If you have a fear of drowning, get over it if you really want to feel well again. You need to irrigate the shit out of your sinuses if you want to knock out your cold. In my opinion, this is the best one on the market. It’s easy to follow the instructions and you can do this over your sink or in the shower. Disclaimer: it’s goddamn disgusting. Snot pouring out of your nose everywhere and a sense of drowning on your feet. But a glorious and worthwhile relief awaits you…and you can cut your cold’s length and intensity in half, no joke.

 

Theraflu

I imagine I should not be hocking anything medicinal/unnatural. But if you are flattened by a bad cold and you need to call on the big guns, Theraflu is the one thing that can get you through your day or night without feeling loopy. Everyone’s body chemistry is different of course, so give it a try and see if it’s for you. But if you are a far-gone messy mess and you are desperate for immediate relief (I’m talking 15 minutes), this seems to be a sure thing for almost everyone I know.

 

Now on to the fun stuff. Shopping! I’ve selected some of my favorite warm and fuzzy things to make you feel sufficiently “cozified.” They also double as great holiday gifts!

 

This throw blanket pays homage to one of the seminal, truly world-altering American poets and activists, the late great Allen Ginsberg. It is so soft, it feels as though it’s been woven by fairies.

 

I’d just as easily throw this chunky Thakoon neck-warmer on with PJs sitting by a fireplace, as I would bundled up with a parka in the snow.

 

Trade in your traditional slippers and Uggs for these Birkenstock Bostons or Arizonas lined in shearling. They give you that highly-unsexy-but-still-chic-and-cozy feeling whether you are inside or out.

 

I am pajamas-obsessed and I still think no one knows pajamas like J.Crew. So when I found this pajama jumpsuit, I died and went to PJ heaven. Oh, and you can add your monogram in almost any color…(I chose navy). How preppy chic.

 

If you want to wrap your body in true luxury when emerging from your steamy bath or shower, you buy towels made by the Japanese manufacturer Kontex. However, they’re a whopping $80-120 for one bath towel. Insane. Until you’ve tried it. What Viva is to paper towels, Kontex is to bath towels. So imagine the sheer magic of this cotton in a robe. Since this is the type of thing we rarely treat ourselves to, I say now’s the time to go for it. Or…hint to that special someone who’s flush with cash to treat you to such a luxury (around $350). This also feels like it was woven by fairies…but these fairies will also sweep you away into the clouds on a unicorn.

 

Hope you all stay warm and fuzzy this holiday season, and don’t forget to make a new year’s resolution! Resolutions are a great nod to your mind, body, and spirit and will fill you with pride. Here’s to your health and happiness. Wishing a very Happy New Year to you all!

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