If you leave the holiday season Whether you’re feeling more moody, bloated, or just “off,” you’re in good company. In my work nutrition consultantI see this model with customers each year: December arrives (life gets busy, routines relax, no more sugar, etc.), and the body does its best to keep up, until it can’t take it anymore. The result? Chronic low-grade inflammation. And that’s often what confuses us in January. That’s exactly why we’re sharing gentle, long-lasting ways to help calm inflammation. Here’s how to feel more like yourself in no time.
Featured image of our interview with Radhi Devlukia-Shetty by Michelle Nash.
Not all inflammation is bad
Talk about a unfair reputation. Yes, too much (chronic) inflammation is not good. But “inflammation” has become one of those words that almost seems mean in the wellness world. To set the record straight, inflammation is your body’s property integrated repair system. It’s what rushes in when you catch a cold or cut your finger. We need this answer to function properly! The problem occurs when inflammation persists longer than it should. It becomes low grade and chronic (i.e. leaky gut) rather than temporary and protective.
Nourishing Anti-Inflammatory Foods
One of the things I’ve learned, both personally and professionally, is that reducing inflammation doesn’t work well from a restriction. It is much more effective (and sustainable) to think in terms of food. Addrather than subtracting! In my own kitchen and with my clients, I focus on filling plates with foods that naturally support the body:
- Lots of (cooked) leafy greens
- Colorful seasonal vegetables (right now it’s beets, carrots and squash)
- Berries
- Oily fish
- Olives
- Lawyer
- Nuts and seeds
- Anything fermented (like yogurt or kimchi)
- Warming spices (like turmeric, ginger, garlic, and cinnamon)
The objective is to systematically choose foods that help your body feel calmer. Emphasize consistency.
8 recipes to support an anti-inflammatory life
Some of my favorite recipes for anti-inflammatory living are both colorful and comforting. These meals make learning how to reduce inflammation incredibly nourishing! In addition, they are fast enough to cope with the hustle and bustle of everyday life:
- Kale and Citrus Salad
- Baked salmon with roasted vegetables
- Pumpkin Overnight Oatmeal
- Curry and coconut soup
- Fig and tahini smoothie
- Green Goddess Pasta
- Protein-rich yogurt and berry parfait
- Turmeric Chicken Immunity Soup
Stress and inflammation go hand in hand
You can eat all the “right” foods, but if your nervous system is constantly in fight or flightyour body will still retain inflammation. That’s why determining how to reduce inflammation often starts with slowing down. To me this looks like a few daily rituals: pause for three slow breaths before eating and hum in the shower. Simple, achievable, reproducible. With clients, I often recommend the same thing. These little safety signals are what actually help the body move out of a state of stress and inflammation.
Gentle movement to stimulate circulation
Movement has been one of my most trusted tools for naturally reducing inflammation. Gentle, consistent movements improve circulation, support the lymphatic system and help the body empty metabolic waste. I firmly believe that training does not have to be intense to be effective. Daily walks, slow yoga, strength training, or even a few minutes of dancing in the kitchen all count. When I’m feeling particularly inflamed or exhausted, I lean toward gentler movements rather than pushing myself harder.
Don’t underestimate sleep and hydration
In my work, sleep and hydration are two of the most underrated (and powerful) things for reducing inflammation. When we are lack of sleepstress hormones increase and inflammation ensues. I’ve seen huge changes in clients’ energy, digestion, and even skin simply by prioritizing 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep. Hydration is just as essential: water helps the body eliminate daily toxins linked to air pollution, heavy metals and environmental exposure. I always keep a bottle of water nearby (with electrolytes for more minerals!).
Easy daily habits
Reducing inflammation doesn’t require a complete lifestyle overhaul. Small habits add up! In my own life, this looks like choosing cleaner personal care productsfilter my drinking water and pay attention to household cleaning products. With clients, I focus on practical changes: more whole foods, regular movement, better sleep (I love it). AG1 sleep aid) and manageable stress rituals. These aren’t flashy habits, but they’re ones that make people feel better about their bodies.
This article was last updated on January 24, 2026 to include new information.
The position A Gentle Guide to Reducing Inflammation Through Daily Habits appeared first on Camille Styles.
