Your kids are coughing, your partner is sniffling and your colleagues have been sneezing all afternoon. With germs lurking everywhere, you may feel like it’s only a matter of time until the dreaded winter cold catches up with you. Luckily, there are a few easy things you can do to help protect against winter nasties. Here are our top tips for staying healthy this flu season.
Eat right
Your immune system is your body’s top defence mechanism against the many germs, bacteria and viruses that abound in winter. Eating well not only helps maintain a strong immune system, but it also helps you to recover more quickly if you do fall ill. Include plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, drink water regularly and choose whole grains, lean meats and low-fat dairy products.
Rest up
Everyday pressures and lack of sleep can negatively impact your immune system. Head to bed early every night and aim for eight hours of sleep. If you’re feeling overly stressed, try trading your morning coffee with a calming herbal tea. A relaxing form of exercise like yoga or pilates may also help to soothe your body and mind.
Wash your hands
This is Blackmores blogger Jodi van Dyk’s number one tip for stopping the spread. “The germs that can linger on a person’s hand after they have sneezed or coughed tend to hang around for a while,” she says. “Be sure to wash your hands often, for 15-20 seconds at a time, and avoid touching your mouth, eyes and nose.”
Supplement support
You can also help support you body’s immune system by topping up with the following products from Blackmores: