5 Ideas To Help You Stay Well This Winter
Honestly, I normally get one good bout of being ill over winter and that’s it. Considering my health isn’t great I don’t mind that.
So far this year, I’m on cold number 2.
With that in mind, I’ve been looking at different ways to stay a bit healthier as the weather gets cold and all we want to do is curl up under a blanket – after all, we really don’t want to feel unwell.
There are lots of health problems which can be exacerbated in winter, especially for older people who are aged 65 or older.
Snack on Fruit and Vegetables.
Let’s be honest when the winter draws in sometimes we all crave something a bit sweet and it is so easy to reach for things like chocolate and sweets.
However, there are healthier alternatives, for instance, if you are craving sugar a clementine or satsuma might be just what you need.
While vegetables can be made into delicious winter soups and stews to help keep you warm and filled with good foods which are full of vitamins and minerals.
Get Outdoors.
While the temptation might be to stay inside when the weather gets bad, you should really try and get out and about as much as possible, especially during daylight hours. Make sure you wrap up warm, with lots of layers of clothing which you can remove if you get too warm or add to if you get too cold.
It is also worth getting yourself into a good sleep pattern, by going to sleep and waking up at the same time each day. Make sure you keep your bedroom window closed at night time as breathing in the cold air can increase the risk of chest infections.
Take Vitamins.
We call all lack in the vitamins over the winter, thanks to the dark days and coldness.
Studies have shown that topping up your intake using a multivitamin and mineral complex such as these from Epsilon Life can really help avoid illnesses.
Containing a mix which includes; Vitamins A, C, B1, B2, B5, B6, B12, Iron, B-complex, Ginkgo Biloba and Ginseng to name just some.
What’s more, it has just been Vegan certified, meaning it is perfect for a whole host of people.
This multivitamin complex is not only said to help with your immune and digestive system, but help give you healthy hair and skin.
All you need to take is one tablet a day.
Get the Flu Jab.
OK so the flu jab isn’t for everyone, but after having the flu jab change my life forever it is something I don’t go a year without.
I have definitely been lucky since I’ve had the flu vaccine, as while I might have come down with some nasty colds and sore throats, I have been flu-free!
Remember, if you aren’t eligible to get a free flu jab, you can always buy it at your local pharmacy. (Your pharmacy will also give them for free if you are struggling to get into your doctors and are eligible).
You can get a free flu jab if you’re aged 65 or over, pregnant, or have underlying health problems or a long term condition like kidney, liver or heart problems, and this will massively reduce the risk of you catching flu.
Check Your Home Temperature.
Don’t forget to heat your home. Allowing your home to get too cold can not only be uncomfortable, but detrimental to your health.
Did you know that it is recommended to keep rooms at 18c-21c?
At 18c you are looking at a basic temperature for a healthy well-dressed person, over the winter months. However, of course, you will want to change this within the parameters to suit you.
The cold weather means that you heart has to work harder to keep you warm and it also increases your risk of developing blood clots which could lead to a heart attack or stroke, so it’s important to keep wrapped up warm.
If you’re still cold, a hot water bottle or electric blanket are good ideas for keeping warm, especially at night time. Make yourself a hot water bottle for snuggling up on the sofa, keeping on your lap at your desk or popping under the covers for a toasty warm bed.
Age UK has got some great tips for keeping warm.
Wash your hands
Washing your hands with soap and hot water removes all germs from your hands. You frequently touch your eyes, nose and mouth without even realising, and germs can get into the body through here and make us ill.
Washing your hands regularly, especially when you’ve been to the toilet or been outside, will help to minimise the risk of spreading these germs.
Competition.
I have teamed up with Epsilon Life to offer you the chance to win £50 to spend with them.
All you need to do to be in with a chance of winning is follow the steps on this widget below. Please note this giveaway is being hosted by Epsilon Life and all information submitted will go straight to them.
Good Luck.
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My immune system is shocking at the moment. I’ve been boosting my intake of fruit and veg to see if that helps.
Mines the same, Ash and I seem to keep passing the same bug between each other.
I’ve just been standing for an hour in a cold, damp skate park but I am glad I got outdoors, even if it was only for a bit. Thanks for the suggestions.
Sometimes it is just nice to be outside isn’t it?
We always eat a lot of fruit and veg, and have a cod liver oil tablet every day.
My wife is also OCD about cleanliness, so we have to Spring clean the house every week, so no chance of becoming inactive!
Ohh sounds like you have some great tips on how to stay well!
Thank you for bringing up the point about staying active in the winter. It is easier and warmer to say indoors, but getting a good bout of fresh air is good too. Vitamins and fresh vegetable and fruit also help 🙂
It is so easy to get lethargic in winter, isn’t it?
great ideas, i need tips as im always ill over winter as im on immuno suppressant injections
Oh no 🙁 it is so hard when you have something else going on isn’t it?
Totally agree with getting outside for some fresh air. I take Epsilon vitamins and think they are great
That’s awesome – I am glad you are finding them to be good for you.
Oh no, sorry to hear you’ve been ill. I’ve had the same problem – my immune system is really low at the moment for various reasons. I must boost my fruit and veg and vitamin intake!!!
Oh no not good – I hope you are feeling better soon!
This time of year can be rough as wintertime brings us all indoors for extended periods of time. For me, wintertime also brings along pollen and other allergens that I’m allergic too outdoors. I live in TX and until we have a hard freeze then everything is alive and kickin. It isn’t unheard of being 70 degrees on Christmas day or freezing. You just never know. With a compromised immune system, the only thing that I can do is get my flu shot (check) and treat any symptoms. Rest is also important for me.
Oh no that’s not good at all – I can be allergic to the moulds in winter which is horrid.
I swear by vitamin D to help boost my immune system through the winter months.
It’s a must take, isn’t it? I think it does a whole lot of good giving yourself extra.
The flu jab is a must in my opinion, not only for yourself but for those around you too.
Exactly it helps protect those who cannot have one.
Such great tips. I always make sure to take my vitamins daily. So does my husband and son. It’s very important.
It is a must to try and stay on top of them isn’t it?
Those are some great points to remember especially for those who have a weak immune system since the cold weather can be harsh on them. It’s better to prevent sickness than to heal from it.
It is scary how awful it can hit people with a weak immune system isn’t it?
Great tips for winter! The only thing is that here sometimes it’s so cold outdoor!
It’s horrid isn’t it when it gets so cold but you know you need to try and get out.
I try and go for walks every so often as I do agree that being outdoors can help you stay healthy and make your body used to the cold x
I have to admit I miss being able to go for walks.
Ive recently had a very bad cold and i like to think i do my upmost not to get colds or flu, but every year i end up with either one, which knocks me for six, i just read here about vitamins, so they are on my next shopping list
Oh no I hope you are feeling better now, there’s some awful ones going around this year.
This is really a great list of ideas! We will all be needing this. Winter is such a cold season. Cough and cold might come. Thanks for sharing.
It is horrid, isn’t it? I absolutely hate the winter and the bugs that come with it.
These are all good suggestions. My Mom got me on vitamins and supplements years ago and since I quit smoking I rarely get sick. I’m allergic to the flu shot so I avoid it but I know that others should get it.
It is amazing what smoking does to you isn’t it? I used to get a lot of chest infections.
This is a wonderful list of ideas to help me stay well this winter. I know that winter is rough for me here in NH with fewer sunny days and cold temperatures, and snow.
Oh no! That sounds like a bad winter, we sometimes get away with no snow here which is something at least.
Awesome giveaway! I’ll have to enter. I do not have time to be sick, so anything that can help is a win for me.
It is crazy how much time being ill takes from you isn’t it!
I am struggling with a cold as we speak, which I got on a plane. It’s such a nasty virus, so much more aggressive than usual. I am trying to eat fresh fruits and vegetables and also to take daily vitamins, hopefully this will be the last cold I get this season.
Oh no I hope you are feeling better soon, colds can be so horrid can’t they?
As I am suffering from the flu right now, I am all about finding ways to stay healthy for the rest of the winter. I am definitely going to go get a flu shot when I get well.
Oh no I hope this is the only winter bug you get – the flu is awful!
I especially love the “getting outdoors” tip. Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean it’s best to stay indoors and away from the elements of being outdoors. We all need fresh air 🙂
Definitely I think sometimes it is easy to curl up at home but we should try not to.
I tend to get more sick in the summer than winter. Probably because I go out more then and am exposed to more germs. I definitely think a good multivitamin helps to keep the sick away.
Oh no that’s not good. It is amazing what a good supplement can do!
You’ve reminded me to get my flu jab! I’ve made sure my husband had it done, the boys have it at school, but I keep forgetting about me…!
Emma
It is so easy to forget about yourself isn’t it!
I always take vitamins, not had a sick day all year!
That is amazing! Well done and the power of vitamins.