When sickness hits your home, it can feel like a never-ending cycle of coughs, sniffles, and exhaustion. In this episode, Dr. Rachel Zimmer, a nurse researcher and food-as-medicine expert, shares practical, research-backed strategies to help you and your family recover faster. From healing foods to simple home adjustments and stress-reducing techniques, these tips go beyond “drink water and rest” to support your body’s ability to heal.

In This Episode, We Cover: 🍵 Food as Medicine – What to eat (and avoid) to speed up recovery 🏡 Home Hacks – Small changes that help prevent illness from spreading 🧘‍♀️ Stress & Immunity – How chronic stress slows healing (and what to do about it) 💡 Quick & Easy Tips – Simple, low-effort ways to care for yourself and your loved ones

Key Takeaways: ✔️ 70% of your immune system lives in your gut—nourish it wisely ✔️ Chicken soup, bone broth, and ginger are more than comfort foods—they have science-backed healing properties ✔️ Opening windows and using a humidifier can reduce airborne viruses by up to 80% ✔️ Zinc and vitamin C play a major role in shortening colds—get them through food for better absorption ✔️ Stress weakens immunity, so rest, deep breathing, and cozy comforts matter more than you think

Resources & Recommendations: 🛒 Shop my favorite cozy wellness essentials: Hygge Abode 📚 Want more wellness insights? Subscribe to The Hygge Nurse podcast! 📲 Let’s connect on Instagram! @hyggeabodelife

Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a friend, tag me on Instagram, and leave a review—it helps more people find simple, sustainable wellness tips!

Stay well, stay cozy, and I’ll see you next time!

Are you always on—even when you’re supposed to be resting? Do you wake up at 3 AM with a to-do list running through your head? If so, this episode is for you.

In today’s conversation, Dr. Rachel Zimmer, nurse practitioner and food-as-medicine researcher, dives deep into the science of true restorative rest—beyond just sleep. Chronic stress, especially for women, is at an all-time high, impacting our health in ways we may not even realize. In this episode, Rachel explores:

✅ Why rest is an active state of repair for your body and mind ✅ The latest research on chronic stress and its impact on women’s health ✅ Seven essential types of rest (hint: it’s not just sleep!) ✅ How to build simple, evidence-backed rest practices into your daily life—without guilt

If you’ve ever felt like taking a break is a luxury you can’t afford, this episode is here to change your mind. Because rest isn’t just something you deserve—it’s something your health depends on.

Resources & Links: 🌿 Download the free 5-Day Nourish & Unwind Guide – a research-backed meal and mindfulness plan designed to support your body and mind. Get it here!

📖 Studies & Reports Mentioned:

• 2023 Stress in America Report by the American Psychological Association
• Harvard Medical School study on gratitude and stress reduction

Let’s Connect! 📩 Have a takeaway from this episode? DM Rachel on Instagram @HyggeAbodeLife or email her at Rachel@hyggeabode.com. 💛 If you loved this episode, share it with a friend who needs a reminder that rest isn’t selfish—it’s essential.

🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! It helps more women reclaim the rest they actually need.

Until next time, take care and be well, friends. 🌿💛

Feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or caught in an endless loop of checking the news? You’re not alone. In this episode of The Hygge Nurse, Dr. Rachel Zimmer shares why our brains are wired to fixate on negative news, how the constant stream of updates impacts our nervous system, and—most importantly—how to break free from the stress cycle while still staying informed.

With science-backed strategies and simple mindfulness techniques, Rachel walks us through ways to calm our bodies, set intentional news consumption habits, and take meaningful action instead of spiraling into helplessness. If the weight of the world feels heavy right now, this episode is for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ Why doomscrolling triggers stress and anxiety (the science behind negativity bias)

✅ How the news cycle is designed to keep you hooked—and how to disengage

✅ Quick nervous system resets, including the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding method and vagus nerve activation

✅ Practical ways to set healthier news consumption boundaries

✅ How to transform anxiety into action for positive change

✅ The power of community, joy, and nature in restoring balance

Try This Challenge:

Pick one small action from today’s episode and try it this week! Whether it’s setting a news check-in time, practicing a grounding exercise, or swapping doomscrolling for a mindful moment—pay attention to how it makes you feel. Let me know what works for you!

✨ Loved this episode? Share it with a friend who could use more peace in their life.

📌 Connect with me:

• Website: www.hyggeabode.com
• Instagram: @hyggeabodelife
• Email: rachel@hyggeabode.com

💛 Thanks for being here. See you next time!