What is it about winter that brings on the blues? Is it the lack of warmth and daylight hours, the ever present threat of colds and flu or just the gut-wrenching thought that when it’s time to take off those layers, you aren’t going to be ready?  Whilst dressing oneself to resemble the Michelin Man does hide a multitude of sins, it’s still not enough to ward off winter germs – so what can we do right now to ensure we make it through in one piece?

Sunlight. Sunshine boosts your Vitamin D and serotonin levels and prevents SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) otherwise known as the ‘Winter Blues’. This often occurs in northern European climates, where they do not have enough exposure to sunlight.

Exercise. Bouncing is highly recommended for activating your lymphatic system, which depends entirely on you moving your body. So go for a jog, try some jumping jacks or haul out your skipping rope or mini trampoline. Yoga, even though there’s no bouncing involved, gets your body into some fantastic positions and all that deep breathing and flow of oxygen is a key ingredient to staying healthy.

Sleep. Your body only heals when you sleep, so if you’re already fighting winter germs, you need to power down (that laptop) and get some early nights. Being a ‘hero’ and pushing through it will only prolong your illness.

Water. Hydration is vital for every function in your body, most important of which is flushing out flu bugs and toxins. So drink up! 

Immune Boosting foods. Did you know that foods high in sugar can decrease your immunity?  So ditch them and fill your diet with natural immune-boosting foods like dark green and orange vegetables, whole grains and herbs and spices.

Top 10 Cold Remedy Foods

• 100% orange juice
• Avocado
• Spinach
• Tomatoes
• Bell peppers
• Broccoli
• Garlic
• Grapefruit
• Lean meat
• Yogurt