As our seemingly never ending summer looks like it’s finally drawn to an end, it’s time to brace ourselves for winter by ensuring our immunity is in top shape before the colder months officially arrive. Read on to find out how you can boost your immunity.
It’s about this time that we start getting bombarded with health advice: Flu Vaccine? Common Cold Remedies? Rugging up with blankets and knitwear? So we’ve put together all the best tips to boost your immunity this winter:
Seven simple tips to boost your immunity this winter:
1. A good night’s sleep
An oldie but a goodie – for a reason. Sleep is such an underrated tool for repairing and reviving the immunity, which costs nothing and is actually well, pretty nice. When we sleep our bodies aren’t interrupted by us asking them to complete actions or process things, meaning the body has uninterrupted opportunity to recover, replenish cells and repair damage.
Without sounding like your grandmother, another old saying relating to sleep patterns runs true here too: ‘An hour before midnight is worth two after.’
We experience our deepest stage of sleep usually before midnight, meaning the more sleep we get in earlier in the night, the better quality sleep we’ll enjoy, and the more work our body can get done restoring and replenishing its stocks.
Dress beds with extra blankets or throws so that your body stays warm and cosy through the night and you don’t wake up with a chill.
2. Rugging Up
To keep our immunity at a premium it’s important to not put it under too much stress, which is what exposing skin to the colder elements does. Skin is our largest organ and when the body is busy using energy to keep exposed skin warm, our immunity creating properties become compromised. Layer up with lush merino knitwear and tuck in to protect your stomach and kidneys.
3. Your 2016 Flu Vaccine
Having your 2016 Flu Vaccine can be another easy way to keep your immunity in top working condition.
However it’s important that if you are planning on getting your flu vaccine, make sure you get it before you’re in the deep throes of winter. A vaccine provides your body with a small sample of the flu, so your body knows how to react when the real thing comes; much like a fire drill.
If you get your flu vaccine at the height of winter when your immunity is likely already compromised, you’re making things harder than you need to on your body. Be sure to arrange with you doctor to get the vaccine towards the end of Autumn and when you’re feeling healthy and uncompromised.
4. Up your Zinc intake
Zinc is a trace mineral and powerful antioxidant that every cell of our body needs to function properly. Zinc helps us slow down the ageing process and fight off infections, diseases and inflammation by neutralising the free radicals responsible for the issues.
Consider a supplement or try and include more red meat, pumpkin seeds, lentils and spinach in your diet.
5. Ginger Ninga
Ginger is an excellent substance to sooth and relax the stomach, home to our gut bacteria which depending on the health of, has massive effects on our immunity.
Not only does ginger soothe, its antibacterial properties make it an easy and refreshing choice for warding off bugs that may compromise our immunity.
Enjoy a warm lemon ginger honey snuggled under your favourite blanket or throw regularly.
6. Hearty Soups
Soups are one of the best things about winter – they truly are comfort food at its finest.
Try making a veggie soup using some beef, chicken or ham bones to create a rich and flavourful broth. That way you’re not only getting the goodness of veggies (be sure to include a few onions) but also the goodness of bone broth which is full of amino acids, gelatin, glucosamine, fats, vitamins and minerals which are important for your overall health as well as promoting good bacteria in the body, aiding your immunity.
Not to mention a good bone broth is rich in gelatin (a source of protein that helps counter the degeneration of joints) and collagen (which improves the condition of skin).
7. Lastly, it’s slightly unorthodox but trust us – Raw Garlic
Sounds a little off-putting, but don’t knock it til you’ve tried it!
Having a mouthful of raw garlic (preferably followed by a swig of juice) may not be the most glamorous or breath-friendly advice, but its antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, antiparasitic and antiviral properties make it a quick and effective remedy when you’re feeling under the weather.
Do you have any other fail-proof tips to boost your immunity in the lead up to winter? Share them below in the comments.
