6 Tips to Boost Your Immunity This Winter!
Sometimes winter can make us feel like our get up and go has got up and gone! We want to help you boost your immunity and maximise your energy levels so you can enjoy winter and the festive period to the full.
With colds, flu and some pretty dodgy gastro-viruses currently doing the rounds the last thing you need to be is anything less than 100% fit and up for it!. There are steps you can take to boost your immunity all year round with a few simple additions and variations to your everyday life. So what can you do to prevent any mishaps in regards to your health this winter? Follow the 6 steps below to boost your immunity!
1. Rise & Shine with a dose of vitamin C
Having a dose of Vitamin C each morning will ensure you have the best start to your day possible. Packing a hard punch there’s not much the super vitamin won’t do. It will help protect your body’s cells and keep them healthy. Consuming Vitamin C also helps you absorb iron from food sources more efficiently. It is also an anti-oxidant which protects us against free radicals as well as toxic chemicals and pollutants. Make sure you don’t miss a dose!
2. Sup up those supplements, especially Omega 7 Sea Buckthorn Oil
Recently, the beneficial potential of the sea buckthorn plant has been increasingly recognised as a rich source of the essential Omega-7 fatty acid. With 14 essential vitamins, omega’s 3, 6, 9, the rare omega 7, boasts super charged anti-oxidants, hundreds of other nutrients, and anti-inflammation properties; Sea buckthorn is quite simply THE supplement you should be taking. In addition to the Omega-7 PUFAs, sea buckthorn oil is a good source of the PUFAs alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3 type), linoleic acid (omega-6 type), and oleic acid (omega-9 type), as well as containing high levels of antioxidants it’s great for gastrointestinal ulcers, heals bed sores, burns and cuts.
3. Get your dose of sunshine with Vitamin D3
Those of us in the Northern hemisphere are subject to dark mornings and even darker nights! That’s why we need to supplement with Vitamin D3 in the colder, depressing months. Supplementing will both support and promote strong & healthy bones and calcium levels. Vitamin D3 is also responsible for maintaining healthy muscles and nerves, and for maintaining a healthy immune system making it an essential for boosting your immune system this winter. If you feel like you need an extra boost of sunshine then light therapy is the way to go! Light therapy can help your brain think its not a gloomy season by giving you the light you miss. Light therapy can also help with sleep disorders and you can give your brain a steady supply of light and help your sleep patterns.
4. Exercise – run away from potential problems, literally…
Moreover, exercise will help your metabolism, immune system and will release those all-important endorphins into your system so you will feel happy and ready to tackle wrapping all those Christmas prezzis! Because exercise will help improve your circulation, as a result it will efficiently supply nutrients to your hard-working immune cells while helping them move through your body to do their job – be it cardio, weight training or home fitness something is always better than nothing and you will be lapping everyone sat on the couch!
5. Leave the stress to Father Christmas this year
When its winter everything becomes harder and tasks become tougher. When Christmas is around the corner you have a million things to do so it’s all too easy to become all hot, bothered and stressed out! Living under a constant state of stress isn’t good for your body or mind and leaves you susceptible to catching infections and illnesses as your immune system has been weakened due to taking a battering from the stress you’ve put it under. Try to take a minute out and learn to meditate, listen to hypnosis before bed or have a browse online – anything which helps you relieve stress try and do it regularly, except excessive mince pie eating because that will cause you long term stress while alleviating the short term…
6. Pack in the protein
Your body needs protein to help rebuild and rejuvenate. A lack of protein can cause a deficiency in the disease-fighting immune cells. Try to include in your diet a healthy, balanced amount of proteins such as fresh fish and lean meat, or if you’re a vegetarian from Quorn, tofu or beans. Having the right amount of immune support from the right foods is also essential at this time of year so make sure you have your 5 day in the form of fruits and vegetables.