Hygge, a term pronounced as “hoog-uh,” is a Danish concept of seeking joy in whatever situation you find yourself in. And in uncertain times such as the pandemic world we live in now, this kind of mantra matters.
With the help of Old Orchard Cranberry Juice, here are simple lifestyle tweaks that will help you find joy as you also take care of your bladder’s health.
Find joy in self-care.
While some of us have used the quarantine to get into tip-top shape, registered dietitian-nutritionist practicing integrative and functional nutrition, Cheshire Que said there are more ways to ease back into exercise without burning out too quickly.
“Go outside and get some fresh air, cuddle or play with your pets – just get moving,” she said.
Hygge helps to fight off isolation, depression, and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) which have a direct impact on bladder health.
“I often hear from people that it’s hard to prioritize self-care, particularly for those who are driven in their pursuit of life goals. However, intentionally scheduling activities that will make you feel more grounded and centered is the key to keeping yourself at your best during the worst times. It’s also important to remember that self-care makes you a better family member, friend, businessman, or employee – this translates to quality work and relationships,” she added.
To create or experience hygge, consider restorative activities to destress with people who matter.
“Enjoy the moment with the people you love. Having a nurturing relationship is beneficial for physical, mental, and emotional health. Oxytocin, also called the ‘love hormone’ which is produced when bonding with loved ones, helps us to be in a more positive or relaxed mood,” Que said.
Get back to basics.
While hygge advocates creating a cozy atmosphere, it is built on comfort, not luxury.
“If feeling extra spaced out lately, go to a quiet corner to pray, meditate or practice deep breathing. Meditative writing, guided imagery, and visualization have a cortisol-lowering effect and help you cope with stress and trauma.”
According to Que, when the body is under severe and continuous stress, various stress hormones are being released by the adrenal glands. These, in turn, can affect urine flow and trigger symptoms such as frequent urination.
“To manage these symptoms, a healthy eating plan will play a huge role in nourishing and regenerating the adrenals, as well as, ensuring bladder health. Think of consuming more whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, lean protein sources and prebiotic sources like honey, garlic, and oats. This also means cutting back on caffeine, salty, spicy, citrusy fruits and alcohol as they tend to irritate the bladder if you are suffering from urinary incontinence,” she said.
Hygge as a lifestyle is not about temporary quick fixes. When it comes to overall well-being, it is about tackling all aspects of health from the body, mind, and spirit.
“Our body is an entire system consisting of smaller units that affect one another including bladder health. Any imbalance can cause illness and weaken the immune system, allowing the overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the bladder system,” Que said.
Mindfully indulge after a long stressful day.
Learn to destress without the cold beer, glass of wine, or alcohol as these can be potentially addictive. Instead, take advantage of the opportunity to adopt new habits, like learning how to make a wellness mocktail.
A far cry from sugar-laden counterparts, try this Blue Ternate and Old Orchard Cranberry Granita recipe from lifestyle expert Joy Felizardo that will require two 7×7 square pans:
Ingredients:
2 cups Old Orchard Cranberry Juice
2 cups ternate
For the ternate tea:
1 tbsp. organic blue ternate powder or 2 tbsp. brewed dried ternate flowers in a hot cup of water
1 tbsp. honey
Procedure:
Pour the 2 cups of Old Orchard Cranberry Juice into one of the pans.
Pour the ternate tea drink into the other pan.
Freeze for at least 4 hours.
Once frozen, scrape both frozen liquid with a fork. Scrape from the edge of the pan to the middle. Put back in the freezer and let stand for an hour and scrape again.
Do these at least 4 times with a min of 60 min. interval.
To serve, put the ternate granita first and top with the cranberry granita.
Consider this concoction as a must-drink for the family. More importantly, it is a refreshing and guilt-free sippy that’s great for bladder health. Cranberries contain the active ingredient proanthocyanidins that are highly capable of preventing E. coli bacteria from adhering to the bladder wall that causes UTI.
Old Orchard is available in leading supermarkets and drugstores nationwide. For more updates, visit and like its official Facebook fan page: www.facebook.com/OldOrchardPH