So long, summer. It’s that time of year again where the sun starts to disappear and the temperature begins to drop. As the colder months approach, don’t let that pesky winter cold come knocking! Read our top tips and hear about the best natural products to keep your immune system healthy to help fight off common colds and viruses.
Wholefoods
With the threat of coughs, colds and flus on the horizon, it’s now time to strengthen your immunity. A healthy diet goes a long way, so you can help yourself by eating a diet rich in wholefoods. A rainbow of fruits and vegetables, seeds, nuts and seafood in particular are important nutrients for the healthy functioning of your immune system. To help give your immune system an extra boost in strength, try our Immune System Biotix that include a powerful combination of seven ingredients that have been scientifically proven to support the immune system and increase resistance to disease and infections.
Get your body moving
Yes, when the temperature drops and the rain pelts down, exercise may be the last thing you feel like doing. However, it has been revealed that regular exercise can help flush bacteria out of the body and increase your circulation, which can help reduce the chances of picking up those dreaded winter colds and flus. If you’re not a regular gym bunny and find it hard to get out of your ugg-boots and into your trainers, find things to help you get motivated. For example, find a fitness buddy who will make you accountable for those gym sessions, runs or Pilates classes. You could also mix up your routine so you don’t get bored of the same workouts or even find an indoor sport to play socially with your friends!
Get some zzz’s
Getting enough sleep through the winter months may be the key to keeping your immune system healthy. Having a good night’s sleep is important for your overall health and wellbeing as it gives your body time to re-energise, re-charge and repair. Getting a solid 7-9 hours sleep each night is essential for this to happen. Make sure your bedroom is a calming, relaxing space that is ideal for sleeping. Try burning lavender or vanilla scented candles or oils before you go to bed as they are known as calming potent relaxers. Meditation is another great way to help de-stress your mind and body or simply reading a few pages of your book before you hit the sheets can also help switch-off your mind. If you do struggle getting a good night’s sleep, it may be because your magnesium levels are low. Try our Synergistic Magnesium, taken in the evening or before bed, to provide your body with healthy magnesium levels which can help your body relax and assist in better sleeping patterns.
Top up on rays
With winter on the forefront, those sun rays will be disappearing and the days will start to get darker. Vitamin D is naturally created by the body through exposure to sunlight, so with this lack of sunshine in the colder months, our natural levels can easily drop. Vitamin D plays a key role in boosting the immune system and fighting off serious infections in the body. To ensure your vitamin D levels are kept healthy this winter, try our Once A Day Sunshine D, which not only supports your immunity but also helps to maintain healthy bones and teeth.
The golden spice
All hail the anti-inflammatory superhero! Turmeric has been labelled as the golden spice for its numerous health benefits, including being rich in antioxidants and having anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric can attribute its health benefits to the compound curcumin, which is the main active ingredient. Since winter flus and viruses can often cause inflammation to the body, ensure this golden spice is included in your diet by adding it to your smoothie, scrambled eggs or in your winter curry or stew. To help you get your daily dose, you can also try our CurQuMax tablets, containing curcumin to contribute to the regulation of inflammatory immune responses.
Just add garlic
Turns out there’s another cooking ingredient that can help improve your immunity and it’s a staple in your kitchen cupboard. Garlic has antioxidant actions to enhance immune function which can help reduce the risk and duration of infections. So, this winter start adding more garlic to your meals! For that extra boost of garlic during the colder months, try our Kyolic Garlic 100 which is produced from organically grown cloves to help support your immune function, your liver and your heart!
Gut feeling
Your gut contains a huge amount of ‘good’ bacteria that help your body fight disease and absorb nutrients. Replenish your good gut bacteria and help strengthen your immune system by including probiotic foods in your regular diet. Probiotic foods are wholesome fermented foods such as yoghurt, kefir and sauerkraut. If you don’t regularly eat these probiotic foods, you can try adding a daily probiotic supplement to your diet. Try our TumBiotix, a specialist probiotic designed for the management of digestive health.
