6 Ways to Slow Down and Live in the Moment

Immune Boosting Winter Citrus Smoothie

Crush your cold with all the colorful in-season produce like blood oranges, beets, pomegranates, and rainbow chard spiced with ginger, turmeric, and cayenne. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Creamy Yogurt Popsicles with Berries

Nurse your sore throat with these healthy popsicles made with fresh berries and just five ingredients! (via The Real Food Dietitians)

15-Minute Asian Cold Remedy Soup

Maybe this soup’s claim has something to do with the hefty dose of fresh ginger in each bite.(via Fork in the Kitchen)

Cold-Soothing Chai Hot Toddy

Your grandma wasn’t lying when she said that a hot toddy is the best cold medicine. This chai-spiced version adds even more warmth to the drink and will lull you into a peaceful night of sleep. (via Baking Mischief)

Honey Chamomile Popsicles

Honey and chamomile are two soothing ingredients for a sore throat or upset tummy. Keep them stored in the freezer, and you and your kids will be more than happy to snack on them while sick. (via Vanilla and Bean)

Immune Boosting Garden Herb Stock

Once you get over your illness, you need to do everything you can to keep your immune system up. This nutritious stock is full of vitamins and minerals that you can drink straight or add to just about any dish you like. (viaOm Nom Ally)

Easy 30-Minute Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

You’ve got to have a solid chicken noodle soup recipe, no matter who you’re trying to nurse back to health. This one has plenty of protein, veggies, and comforting egg noodles to get your stomach settled. (viaAverie Cooks)

Golden Milk

Delicious both hot or cold, this anti-inflammatory drink made with coconut milk, dates, turmeric, and cinnamon is full of medicinal properties that will leave you feeling great in no time. Plus, it's gluten and dairy-free, vegan, and super easy to make! (via Clean Cuisine)

Rosehip Tea

Ripe in late fall, rosehips are high in vitamin C and can help strengthen your immune system. This tea, made with these fruits of rose plants, has an amazing effect on your body, before and after your sick day. (via Give Recipe)

Chicken Lemon Rice Soup

If you're not a fan of noodles or just not in the mood for them, opt for a chicken and rice soup instead. (via Feel Good Foodie)

Turmeric Ginger Chickpea Noodle Soup

Thisimmune-boosting chickpea noodle soup is full of veggies with a flavorful ginger turmeric broth, plus it's ready in about 30 minutes! (via Crowded Kitchen)

All-Natural DIY Pineapple Cough Syrup

No more cough syrup at home? Go for this all-natural alternative. The combination of pineapple, cayenne, lemon, ginger, and honey is more than effective at keeping your coughs at bay. (via The View from Great Island)

Gingery Poached Egg Soup

Sometimes it’s hard to even eat chicken noodle soup when you’re feeling under the weather. This light version will be ready for you to sip in 15 minutes, and it won’t weigh too heavily on your stomach. (via The Kitchn)

Healing Turmeric Cauliflower Soup

The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric are just one of the reasons this soup is perfect for healing your sick body. If you’re having any trouble swallowing, the smooth texture will be easy for you to get down and digest. (via Simply Quinoa)

Healing Bowls With Turmeric Sweet Potatoes, Poached Eggs, and

Lemon Dressing

When you’re able to eat a little bit more, a big bowl of nourishing ingredients is what you need. This sweet potato and brown rice bowl is full of greens, poached egg, and a lemony dressing to help you feel like a million bucks. (via Pinch of Yum)

Immunity Shots

You could go to a fancy juice bar to get an immune-boosting shot or you could make one at home for a fraction of the cost, and you won’t have to get out of your pajamas. Use your blender or juicer to combine carrot, ginger, lemon, and garlic together into a cold-blooded flu killer. (via With Food and Love)

Cold Buster Citrus Smoothie

If your immune system does give into the office cold, this vitamin C-packed drink will help you recover at lightning speed. (via Seasonal Cravings)

Moon Milk

Getting a good night’s sleep is one of the hardest things to do while you’re sick. This antioxidant-rich warm moon milk recipe features nutmeg and ashwagandha, both of which are known for lulling you into a restful slumber. (via Bon Appetit)

Super Immunity Power Salad

Move over, spinach. This kale salad is here to take the spot as the most nutritious and delicious way to eat your greens. (via The Garden Grazer)

Triple Berry Kiwi Smoothie

Who needs a multivitamin when you could just drink this smoothie every day? One kiwi has over 100 percent of your daily requirement of vitamin C, so you know that you’ll stay healthy through flu season with this as your breakfast. (via The Pretty Bee)

Vegan Vegetable Noodle Soup Recipe

Even without the chicken, noodle soup is good for the soul. (via Veggie Society)

Homemade Hot Apple Cider Recipe

Homemade Hot Apple Cider Recipe

Sometimes all you need is a hot, seasonal drink to get you back on your feet. (via Pink Owl Kitchen)

CREAMY SWEET POTATO CHICKEN SOUP

Sweet potatoes are a great source of vitamin A which! Is great for fighting off illnesses.(via Averie Cooks)

SPICY SOFT TOFU SOUP

Sometimes all you need is a little spice to clear up a stuffy nose! (Takes Two Eggs)

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This post has been updated.

Easy Homemade Sore Throat Gummies

These lemon, ginger, and honey gummies are better than any lozenge than you can get at the store. The natural ingredients will coat your throat and ease any annoying tickles or cough that you may have. (via Hello Creative Family)

Use A Gentle Cleanser

Since your skin is more sensitive during your period, it’s important to use a face wash that will help to get rid of grime without stripping your skin of its natural oils. If you’re looking for a gentle and affordable cleanser that does the job, I've used CeraVe’s Foaming Facial Cleanser for years. Not only does it contain multiple ceramides that help to restore your skin barrier, it also contains niacinamide – an ingredient known to help reduce excess oil production in the skin.

Hydration Is Key

Have you ever noticed your skin looking more dull or lifeless whenever your period comes around? This is because low estrogen levels during the menstruation part of your cycle makes your skin more prone to water loss, which causes dehydration and dryness. During this time, you can counteract this effect by incorporating a hydrating serum or moisturizer into your skincare routine. I recommend The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Serum. Its titular ingredient, hyaluronic acid, acts like a sponge by attracting water on the skin and retaining it, which will keep your skin feeling plump, smooth, and hydrated. But what makes this serum really stand out is its other active ingredient – Matrixyl 3000 peptide – that, when combined with hyaluronic acid, can help build firmer, youthful-looking skin over time.

Niacinamide Is Your Best Friend

Earlier, I mentioned how niacinamide is primarily used as an ingredient in skincare products to help balance your skin’s oil production. However, if you look at the ingredient label on the packaging for most of these recommended products, niacinamide will probably be listed – and for a good reason. This power-packed ingredient is a form of vitamin B3 that can help boost skin hydration, reduce redness and uneven skin tone, and combat damage that can cause visible signs of aging. I would suggest using a serum with niacinamide as one of its main ingredients — like the Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum — because it is formulated with higher concentrations of this ingredient that can penetrate deep into the skin.

Use Spot Treatments Or Pimple Patches On Problem Areas

As tempting as it is to use your fingers or a comedone extractor to pop any zit that appears during your period, trust me when I tell you…don’t do it! Not only will picking further inflame your skin, you can also spread acne-causing bacteria across your skin that will make your breakouts even worse. If you’re an avid pimple-popper like myself, save yourself the trouble and cover your spots with hydrocolloid pimple patches to help them heal. My favorite patches are the Peace Out Acne Healing Dots; they're formulated with salicylic acid and aloe vera leaf extract, which help to reduce irritation and minimize breakouts.

If You Need To, Use An Exfoliating Peel Or Toner – But Don’t Overdo It

Even if you’re taking every step possible to take extra care of your skin during that time of the month, sometimes your skin can feel more gritty and grimy than usual. Exfoliating cleansers, scrubs and serums are often advertised for everyday use, but if you’re not careful, you can end up with angry and irritated skin.

If you absolutely have to exfoliate, play it safe by using a mask or a toner once or twice a week. For a mask, I recommend trying the Versed Doctor’s Visit Instant Resurfacing Mask, and for a toner, I suggest using the Peach Slices Acne Exfoliating Toner. Both products contain a combination of AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) and BHAs (beta hydroxy acids) that remove dead skin cells from the surface while also clearing and preventing breakouts.

Opt For A Lightweight Moisturizer

Hormone changes during your menstrual cycle can cause your skin to produce more oil than usual. While it's important to keep your skin hydrated and healthy by using a moisturizer, thick creams and facial oils can clog your pores and lead to an endless cycle of breakouts. Instead, try incorporating a light gel moisturizer without ingredients like silicones, which are known to congest your skin. My current favorite is the Selfless by Hyram Niacinamide and Maracujá Daily Barrier Support Moisturizer, which contains ingredients like maracujá seed oil and murumu seed butter that help to heal the skin barrier while leaving a silky smooth finish.

Don’t Forget Sunscreen

It doesn’t matter if it’s cloudy, cold, raining, or if the sky is falling — sunscreen is a non-negotiable in your skincare routine, especially during your period. Skin sensitivity is at an all-time high during that time of the month, meaning that you’re more likely to get burnt from UVA and UVB rays. Personally, I like to use lightweight sunscreens, like Krave Beauty’s Beet the Sun, that also contain ingredients to support your skin barrier. Beet the Sun not only has an SPF of 40, but it also has beetroot extract, an antioxidant known to have anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing properties.

You Are What You Eat

Skincare isn't a “one size fits all” situation; what works for you and your skin may not be the right routine for others. However, the food we choose to consume has a direct correlation to our physical health. We all know the annoying and uncomfortable symptoms that come with periods, but fortunately there are certain foods that can help. Fiber-rich foods like broccoli, cauliflower and carrots can help reduce inflammation throughout the body, while berries like blueberries, blackberries and cherries are a great source of antioxidants that help protect your body – including your skin – from free radicals that cause premature aging and chronic disease.

A New Day Cozy Knit Polo Collar Pullover Sweater

This relaxed-fit pullover will help you pull together all your best office outfits with ease. The polo collar earns it some more formal flair so you can tackle meetings and tasks in comfy style. Wear it with a skirt and your fave fall boots to totally rock the look!

Vince Camuto Roving Stripe Sweater

Fall ensembles don't have to be bland. Stand out in this rainbow-striped sweater that boasts a flattering v-neck for a playful pop of color!

The Drop Women's Brigitte Chunky Button-Front Pocket Ribbed Cardigan

This easy-fitting ribbed cardigan has everything you'd want from a plus-size sweater: soft knit fabric, relaxed, oversized shoulders, statement buttons along the front, and of course, pockets!

Eloquii Two Way Zipper Sweater

This zippered sweater fits your body on the snug side to make your natural figure pop. You can play with the arrangement of the two front zippers in order to flatter your look even more! This pick looks great on its own, worn over a white tank top, or layered under your go-to fall jacket.

Quince Mongolian Cashmere Oversized Boyfriend Cardigan Sweater

Crafted from "the coziest" grade-A Mongolian cashmere, this sweater flaunts a classic ribbed texture that's wearable anywhere. The oversized fit will feel wonderful no matter how you wear it – buttoned up or not.

Lillusory Fuzzy Oversized Sweater

This super-plush sweater is destined to keep you warm this fall and winter. Cozy up in its oversized fit and larger-than-life sleeves when you need an extra dose of comfort! It comes in so many different colors and patterns to suit your fall outfit plans perfectly.

Wild Fable Oversized Cable Sweater Cardigan

This cardi has a mid-length crop to it which will pair exceptionally well with high-waisted jeans and trousers this season. The timeless cable knit texture is easy to style with just about anything you've already got in your closet!

Grace Karin Long Sleeve Striped Sweater

This green and brown striped sweater was made to turn heads. The bold pattern and contrasting stitch work along the collar, sleeves, and waistline add a chic touch you can incorporate into any look! If this unique colorway isn't exactly your vibe, it also comes in 3 more playful color options.

Eloquii Bow Intarsia Sweater

The bow trend lives on in this pullover sweater that works equally well for casual fall 'fits and holiday get-ups. The baby pink and red combo is just too adorable to be ignored!

Karen Kane Surplice V-Neck Sweater

This lavender sweater with a body-wrapping silhouette will flatter your figure without a doubt, all while keeping you nice n' cozy in colder temps. It's made from a "wool-kissed" material that's soft to the touch, making it an absolute joy to wear by itself or layered on top of basic tanks or turtlenecks.

Universal Thread Crewneck Cable Knit Pullover Sweater

The neutral tan color of this cable knit sweater qualifies it as an easy match for any outfit you've got planned for fall time. From jeans to skirts, it'll bring an undeniably cozy vibe to your looks. The mid-length hem sits right above your hips to help shape your figure flawlessly!