3 things you can do now to stay healthy this winter

By May 31, 2018BLOG

Winter is upon us, and with it comes the usual suspects – a nasty cold or flu! Our lifestyles are an important contributing factor to how well our immune systems are able to protect us from germs and viruses, and by adopting a few healthy habits, you can encourage a stronger immune system to fight infections. Here are 3 things you can do now to stay healthy this winter.

Enjoy the sunshine

Research has shown that Vitamin D plays an important role in supporting our immune systems, amongst other benefits, and so it’s important to make sure you and your family are getting enough of this important vitamin. Our advice? Get outside and enjoy the sunshine where you can. Even though it’s winter, we get beautiful sunny days up in Joburg, so take advantage of the sunshine, to warm up cold bodies, and get an extra boost of Vitamin D to help you and your family stay healthy. Read our recent blog post on Vitamin D for some simple tips on getting outside more.

Opt for less sugary foods

Sugar can cause inflammation in the body, and hamper the bodies immune response. Reducing your intake of sugary foods during winter is a good idea, as it helps to support your immune system when it needs it the most, and helping you to stay healthy. Find yourself craving something sugary? Opt for healthier, but still comforting alternatives, like homemade chicken soup, roasted sweet potato, fresh seasonal fruit, fried halloumi or warm chai spiced milk. Looking to kick your sugar habit for good? Give this blog post a read.

Get more sleep

When we don’t get enough sleep, our bodies are working harder to stay healthy. Our adrenals are likely to be on high alert, and we’re likely to have higher levels of inflammation. In other words, pulling too many all-nighters means your body won’t respond as well to a cold or flu. Getting enough sleep (and sleeping well), gives your body the opportunity to rest and repair, and supports your immune response.

 

And, if in spite of all your efforts to stay healthy, you find yourself with a cold this winter, keep these tips in mind! Boosting your Vitamin D, getting more sleep, and eating less sugar can only be good for you, and help you to get better faster! And make sure you’re drinking plenty of water and eating lots of brightly coloured fruits & veggies!

Looking for more advice on staying healthy this winter? Give this blog post a read!

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