WATER FIGHT

Sugar has long been a legitimate go-to for stressful moments, and justifiably so. With it’s ability to release endorphins, hormones that make you relax and smile, chocolate-ly sweet snacks can make any frustrating deadline go away…temporarily. However, researchers at the University of Chicago recently discovered that plain old water may have the same effect. Add a green tea bag for extra giddiness.

PAIN KILLER

As if being hunched over your computer rushing to meet a deadline isn’t enough stress, flu season is upon us. Don’t be surprised if you feel achy and only in the mood to curl up with a Snuggie. To help you make it to the couch more easily, fill your refrig with foods replete with phytochemicals, which protect your immune system and promote resistance to certain diseases. Fall is full of them. Try a warm winter squash with apples, cinnamon and a splash of agave nectar or honey. It will tickle your endorphins also.

Or make a salad or hot soup with a few of these pain-fighting foods:

Dark leafy greens vegetables, carrots, sweet peppers, leeks, pumpkins, tomatoes, peaches, oranges, tumeric and thyme.

Omega 3 fatty acids not protect your hair and nails, but also minimize inflammation and speed up recovery time.

• Eggs fortified with omega-3 fatty acids.
• Wheat germ and other whole grains
• Flaxseeds and flaxseed oil
• Deep water fish–herring, salmon, sardines, mackerel
• Walnuts, Brazil nuts
• Pumpkin seeds
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Avocados

Both in the form of sniffles and the brrr weather.

Posting pictures kicking it beachside as your desktop wallpaper is one way to say the shivers ain’t so. But let us recommend a more effective option: setting up an old school tea party, kettle, flowery cups, fragrant bags and all. You get the mugs, we got the goods.

Two Leaves and a Bud

While traveling through Asia and India, Richard Rosenfeld quaffed many a “good cuppa organic tea.” But in North America? Not so much. So he brought them over in the form of biodegradable sachets from Japan, India and Sri Lanka, among other exotic spots. A member of Trust Organic Small Farmers Initiative and determined to support all Fair trade Teas, these beverages warm you up with the constant do-gooding and flavors as soothing as Alpine Berry Herbal.

Tea Beyond

Without soda’s carbonation or the brute strength of coffee, it can be challenging to choose to fill our mugs with quiet, healthful tea. But when a lily or a peony may emerge from the pot? Yeah, we’re sold. That’s what happens when you dunk a Tea Beyond bag into your glass (preferably 4” tall with 2”) tea pot filled with 12-15 oz. of boiling water. The English Marigolds, a European salad topper and Sweet Olive flower, a Chinese bread and ingredient are safe to snack with your drink.

Rishi Tea

The other teas drink Rishi’s dust. After taking home 11 first place prizes at the 2009 World Tea Championship, the company decided to package ten of the golden brews (like cinnamon plumb and summer lemon) into the Award Winning Sample Set ($59.50). Since such quality can get pricey, Rishi is offering 31 days of giveaways via Twitter in support of Fair Trade Month.

SmartKetttle

Breaking away from the need to heat up on a stove was SmartKettle’s ($99.95) first hot move. This water-heater goes on to warm up faster than the microwave can, stay cool enough to sit on any surface and to be grabbed even while its contents are steaming.

Because sometimes a tea is only as sweet as its cookie, we’re dunking Late July’s green-tea infused vanilla bean sandwich cookies and Tea Aura’s all-natural shortbread cookies which are shaped like tiny tea leaves and chock full of antioxidants, in case you don’t get around to filling up your cup.

– Erica Goss

EAT

Green tea shouldn’t just be paired with those post-yoga, relaxing moments. Give your cocktails a shot of Zen Green Tea Liqueur, the only one of its kind. Try making your own “Zen Moment” or order one from the bar at Boom (152 Spring St.) or Aspen (30 West 22nd St.).

ZEN MOMENT

1 part Zen Green Tea Liqueur

3 parts Sauvignon Blanc

Squeeze of Lemon

Add all ingredients to pitcher filled with ice and stir. Garnish with Lemon slice.

SWEAT

Pilates can be intimidating, especially when it entails using equipment called the Guillotine. But Alycea Ungaro, P.T., owner of Real Pilates, aims to ease newbies and veterans into every element of the sport with her recently launched Pilates Platter ($99). Like cocktail party nibbling, you’ll sample three sessions–a one-on-one, group Tower class and Reformer class.

Real Pilates, 177 Duane Street New York, 212-625-0777

CHILL

You’ve dipped green teabags into mugs, martini glasses and now, foot basins. When you get the antioxidant green tea pedicure ($59/55 minutes) at Ohm Spa, your feet will swim in the healthy stuff, get lathered in a mud masque and then of course, get smoothed and polished.

SHOP

If you plan to stay-cay, make sure your apartment plays the part. Stock up on room sprays and candles from Italian beauty company LAFCO on Fridays when this fragrant spot slashes its prices. Lorenzo Villoresi room sprays cost $8 ($42 originally) and Claus Porto vanilla-scented soy-blend candles for $13 (were $32).

LAFCO 161 Sixth Ave (between Spring and Van Dam Sts), Friday 10a.m.- 6 p.m.

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EAT

Celebrating National Hot Fudge Sundae Day at Serendipity 3 is not unlike waiting for the ball to drop in Times Square. There will be tourists, and it’ll be cold and crowded, but resolutions? No. Don’t make any of those before, after, during the special time you dig into your Coward’s Portion ($13) treat. We’re gonna leave the Outrageous Banana Split for the desperately-trying-to-get-face-time-on-the-jumbotron types.

Serendipity 3: 225 East 60th Street. 212-838-353

Sweat

Still have Jai Ho and the fancy footwork dance accompaniment stuck in your head? Us too! Get a free Bollywood Dance Demo class at Lululemon’s Union Square store on Saturday. This beat is heavy, so heavy, You gonna feel it.

Lululemon. 2 p.m. 15 Union Square West. 212-675-5286, Free.

Chill

With our waxing and pedicure regimen down, we can stop, drop and roll into a pair of flip flops and a bathing suit at the first hint of early dismissal for roof laying out time. Our diligence is getting pricey though. Completely Bare, however, is shaving off some dollars when we sign-up online for a Brazilian (”Ouchless”) Wax or Brazilian Laser Hair Removal Treatment. Buy one and get one free now through July 31st.

Completely Bare, 764 Madison Avenue New York. 212.717.9300 and 103 5th Ave, 212.366.6060 and 25 Bond St. 212.598.1111

SHOP

Sometimes, we have to be reminded to keep in mind that what we put on our body is just about as important as what we put in it. Now that we’ve found Stewart + Brown’s eco chic and flirty designs all made of renewable fibers (never! herbicides, pesticides or defoliants) we won’t forget. Get 35% off all FULL-PRICED stuff like frilly dresses and bright open back Ts and an additional 35% off sale items now through Monday July 27.