Catching a winter cold and suffering from seasonal sniffles can happen to the best of us, but why do we seem to struggle more during the festive season? The accumulation of late nights combined with social gatherings that include a lot of alcohol and the indulgences of rich, fatty and sugary foods, can all play havoc with our natural resilience and leave us far more susceptible to catching a cold. To make it even worse, those that really give their immune systems a run for their money by burning the candle at both ends and not topping up on extra vitamins and foods to help recovery can find it even harder to shake off the symptoms once they come down with a virus. This lack of immunity TLC can usually result in them often having to deal with a chesty cough, tiredness and a runny nose that may linger around for weeks.
Bee on top of immunity
If you are burned out your immunity will also suffer. Stay healthy and boost your immunity this winter try Bee Prepared Daily Defence. It contains ingredients such as Olive Leaf extract, elderberry and acerola cherry that can really help our immune system. Research has also shown the benefits of bee propolis for our immunity. All of these can help protect us during the Winter months from the increase in viruses. The hero ingredients include bee propolis and bee pollen which have been the subject of over 2,000 studies for their benefits on health, immunity, skin conditions, and their antibiotic and antiviral properties.
Don’t ditch the mask yet!
Our immune system is always working to protect us, that’s its job. It gets used to the environment we are in, but when travelling around in public places, such as tubes, trains and planes, it has to work even harder to cope with all of the different viruses and germs going around. If you often get sick when travelling and don’t want to arrive at your family’s house with a cold two days later, then wearing a mask when travelling might help to protect you from droplets in the air that may contain germs.
Make room for medicinal mushrooms
Mushrooms are high in beta-glucans – natural substances that have been found to help ‘prime’ our immune system, making sure it’s ready for action to fight off bugs and germs. However, if you really want to up your immune power, certain types of mushrooms such as Reishi, Shiitake and Maitake are especially rich in the most powerful immune-supportive beta-glucans. Try taking two capsules of Link Nutrition Mushroom Plus each morning.
Don’t underestimate good old Vitamin C!
Vitamin C is a staple in my supplement cupboard all year round, but it is especially good to take when you are feeling really run down. If you are burning the candle at both ends, up your ante on Vitamin C. Add fresh lemon juice to warm water or your herbal tea every day, and for an additional natural C boost, try Pukka Herbs Organic Elderberry Syrup, which contains elderberries which are very high in vitamin C, thyme and aniseed which are warming and soothing, and manuka honey, which adds a deliciously sweet taste. Vitamin C is a great way to support your immune system and energy levels when feeling run down, and as an added bonus, it supports collagen formats ion in the body. So, it’s well worth investing in some Vitamin C this Winter not only to support immune health and improve energy but to look after your skin too.
Employ strategies for stress
It’s been a stressful year so far and everyone’s feeling a little anxious from recent events. Our ability to cope leaves many of us in chronic stressed state with a tendency for anxiety, poor sleep and feeling overwhelmed. Therefore, when pushed, this can then tip over to physical symptoms or getting sick. Taking some time to incorporate some stress relief methods into your everyday routine such as mindful breathing, walking or yoga can help you switch off more effectively rather than pushing yourself to the edge of burnout. Pukka Herbs Organic Inner Peace herbal supplement is a synergistic blend of naturally relaxing herbs; ashwagandha, chamomile and lavender, with natural iodine to support peace of mind. Studies suggest that ashwagandha can help our bodies to restore balance by providing adrenal support and balancing the stress hormone cortisol. Ashwagandha is an ancient adaptogenic herb that helps to promote a feeling of calm by helping to reduce stress, and helping to bring the body back into balance. It also balances hormonal levels and provides potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help to support the immune system.
