Colds, Flus & The Winter Blues (& how to beat them)

How To Beat The Winter Blues

​Winter Wellness Part 2

We all know that winter is the most common time of the year to be struck down with a cold or flu! It is also the time of the year where a lot of us get SAD (seasonal affective disorder)

So what can we do to defend ourselves against these troublesome conditions?

Firstly and most importantly, prevention is key! 70% of our immune system is located within our out GUT, therefore a healthy GUT is essential if we want to have a strong immune system and give ourselves the best chance to fight off those nasty bugs!

A good quality probiotic is essential at this time of the year! Probiotics populate our GUT with healthy bacteria which helps to make our first line of defence (our GUT) as strong and as effective as possible! Don’t underestimate how important a healthy diet is at this time of the year either! Fruits and veggies are known as pre-biotic foods. They create a healthy foundation for the probiotics to live in and the power of the two combined is much more effective than either on their own!

Next, I would recommend a high quality Zinc and Vitamin C powder. Use a small dose daily to boost your immune system! Nature also provides us with lots of vitamin C rich foods at this time of the year. Enjoy plenty of oranges, mandarins, grape fruit and warm cups of lemon water to give yourself that extra boost!
A high quality zinc and vitamin c supplement is also handy to have in case you do start to experience the first signs of a cold or flu. A high dose at the onset of a cold can help to shorten the duration. Staying hydrated and getting plenty of rest will also help you to bounce back fast! Zinc supplements must ALWAYS be taken with a meal as can create nausea on an empty stomach. Like most supplements, zinc can be dangerous when taken in excess so always consult with your health care professional first, especially if you take other supplements or prescription medications.

I’m a big advocate of using food as medicine where I can which is why I love garlic at this time of the year! Garlic is known for its strong anti-biotic and anti-inflammatory properties! In winter, I add garlic to EVERYTHING! Ginger, turmeric, cayenne pepper and cinnamon are some other interesting ones to consider and are all used in Ayurvedic medicine to help fight off coughs and colds.
Lastly, Vitamin D is essential. Humans derive their Vitamin D from sunlight and unless you are getting 20 minutes of direct sunlight on your bare skin every single day, there is a chance that you are already low on your Vitamin D stores!

Not only is Vitamin D essential for a healthy immune system, it also helps to fight SAD aka the winter blues. Vitamin D also helps us to maintain a healthy weight throughout the winter months and is essential for healthy, strong bones, teeth and muscles!

My last little bit of advice to help you stay healthy this winter would be to stay active, get some fresh air and listen to your body! We have a tendency to become inactive during winter and spend too much time indoors which weakens our immune system! We also need to rest when our body calls for it. Mild aches, pains and fatigue is often a sign that we just need to slow down a little and give our body what it wants. REST.

It is also important for me to add, not all supplements are created equal, I’m happy to recommend a trusted brand to anyone who is interested, send me an email [email protected] any time. Good quality supplements do not have to be over-priced. Quite often you will require a much smaller dose and your body is able to absorb and use the nutrients much more effectively, making quality brands better value over all.
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These simple tips will help you to stay well this winter, I’d love to hear any of your tips or trusted remedies too!