Stuck in the winter blues, down on energy, or need an immunity boost? There are several ways to incorporate citrus fruits into your routine.

While I often associate citrus fruits like lemon, lime and grapefruit with summer dishes and drinks, I was reminded of their seasonal importance when I visited family in Arizona during the holidays. Each morning, I stepped outside into the sunlight and handpicked a variety of citrus from a fruit grove in their backyard. After a week of indulging in the freshest limes, lemons, oranges, tangerines, grapefruit, and pomelos (a newfound favorite), I left with two extra suitcases full of fruit for the journey home to a colder climate.

Despite dealing with the stress of the holidays and the pandemic, citrus has been a small but sweet indulgence for me. Citrus aromas like lemon, orange and grapefruit are believed to enhance one's smood and sense of positivity. Below are a few ways to take advantage of citrus fruit, beginning with the most obvious:

Snack on citrus: Slicing open an orange or grapefruit provides instant aromatic benefits, potentially lifting your mood (it certainly helps me). The essential nutrient of vitamin C is best known as an immunity enhancer, but it's also considered a collagen booster for your skin. Also try to incorporate food recipes which use citrus, such as lemon in avocado toast or salad dressings.

Warm lemon water: Start the day off with a warm cup of lemon water before reaching for caffeine or breakfast. Sipping warm lemon water in the morning awakens your digestive system. I squeeze a quarter of a lemon into my mug, occasionally adding the lemon slice for additional brewing.

For elevated lemon water, cut off and peel a small piece of ginger. Let it brew in boiling water for several minutes. Ginger warms the body and provides additional digestion and stomaching soothing benefits. You can also add a pinch of anti-inflammatory spices like turmeric, cinnamon, and/or cayenne pepper.  A small amount of honey can sweeten these spices as needed. 

It's worth noting some people use more lemon in their water than I suggested, while others use smaller amounts to avoid too much acidity. Also, some people drink lemon water with a straw to limit concerns about citric acid affecting their enamel.

Infused cool water: Another way to stay hydrated throughout the day is making a pitcher of infused water. Popular at spas and hotels, infused water is easy to make and keep in the fridge at home.  I let each batch sit for at least a few hours before drinking it over the next 1-2 days.  Here are some combinations to try with citrus fruits:

• Lemon and lavender
• Lime, mint and cucumber
• Grapefruit and rosemary
• Orange and cranberry or blueberry

Air freshener and cleaner: I often like to simmer a pot of water on the stove with uplifting aromas, and citrus fruit peels are my go-to. Try orange or lemon with some vanilla extract or spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and clove. Another option is to soak citrus peels with water and vinegar for an air freshener or cleaning spray. Lemon, orange, and grapefruit are common in house hold cleaners

Bathing: Toss a couple leftover orange, pomelo or tangerine peels into your bath and add bath salts or a little baking soda for a relaxing soak. One of my favorite bath soaks infuses a drop or two of eucalyptus oil with orange. Additionally, you can make your own sugar scrub with a few drops of grapefruit or orange essential oil, sugar and a carrier oil like grapeseed or olive for an invigorating, aromatic exfoliant. 

Citrus oils can increase photosensitivity of the skin, so it's generally best to limit sun exposure after use.