10 Tips to Survive the Winter Months

It's time to take steps so that you will be able to have lots of fun over the winter months and avoid any illnesses that might come your way.

One of the joys of winter is that we tend to end up battling illnesses that come into the house - and they tend to happen at the worst time possible. 

One of the reasons that we are so susceptible to illnesses at this time of the year is due to that fact that we are not outside and we tend to not eat as many pieces of fruit and vegetables - it really isn't salad weather 😉 

As a result of this our immune systems are weakened and we may end up sick. So to help keep you healthy over the coming months, try to implement some of the following tips:
 

1. Make sure that you are drinking lots of fluids. I know it can be difficult to drink cold water at this time of the year, but if you can ensure that you are drinking approximately 1.5-2 litres a day, it will keep your body hydrated. If you are dehydrated, your immune system may be weakened.
2. Try to limit your carb intake especially sugary foods. Over the winter we tend to crave comfort foods as they will boost our serotonin levels, however, when your blood sugars are on a roller coaster, your immune system can be weakened due to the inflammation caused by a sugary diet.  Find healthier "comfort" foods and meals and make sure that they are readily available 
3. Get outdoors in the cold weather. Some may think that this is counterproductive but if the weather is cold enough, it may kill any bugs that are about.  Open your window at home and let fresh air in and household air out. 
4. Eat a minimum of 5-8 portions of fruit and vegetables each day!! Really concentrate on fruit that is high in Vitamin C and green veggies. Have a good variety of fruit and veg to ensure that you are getting a good spectrum of nutrients. If you or someone in your family struggles to eat enough fruit and veg, Vibracell is a brilliant way to increase your nutrient intake. Just one shot in the morning will set you and your immune system up for the day.
5. Continue to exercise over the winter months. When you keep your body moving your lymphathic system keeps draining. This means that your body can get rid of any toxins that are in there. By being active, the lymphatic system works better.
6. Consider using essential oils in your home. Oils such as clove, cinnamon, tea tree and lemon are great at cleaning the air. They can also smell of Christmas when diffused. I only use essential oils to clean and I love how the scent lingers.  Not only are they cleaning the surfaces but they are also cleaning the air around us. 
7. Eat more herbs and spices.  Herbs and spices are Mother Nature's medicines. So many have healing properties and are great when used in a preventative way. Increase your intake of garlic, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric and even onions. They are all really beneficial to your health.
8. Eat more fibre to help keep inflammation low and help your gut microbiome.  Most illnesses start in the gut - 90% of the immune system is in the gut microbiome so it is really important to keep it healthy.  Most people I analyse are only getting a third of the fibre that their body needs! Increase your intake by eating the skins of fruit and veg and eating nuts and seeds.
9. Increase your Omega-3 intake. Omega-3 is anti-inflammatory and great for joint pains if they get sore over the winter months.  You can get Omega-3 from oily fish, nuts and seeds. I myself will never be without my Omega-3 supplement due to my joint issues from years ago. This is a high quality fish oil from small fish off the coast in Norway and therefore really effective.
10. Keep stress to a minimum!! I know Christmas time can be a stressful time but try and keep stress under control. Stress has a negative effect on your sleep and your immune system. Take time out for you!! It is not selfish but essential. Your body will thank you for it. Have a lovely Epsom salt bath with your favourite essential oils and relax. You will feel so much better after it.

But what do you need to do if you do unfortunately end up getting ill?

• Rest - it is so important to rest in order to let your body heal. If you or your child is not hungry whilst ill, do not worry about it. The body is going through something called autophagy. This is where it is getting rid of what is causing the illness and it works best when your body is in a "fasted" state. So do not panic if someone hasn't eaten.
• Drink lots of fluids - Hydration is vital during illness. If the body is hydrated it will heal quicker. Drink warm water with a couple of slices of lemon, cloves and a teaspoon of honey. These are all natural healers and great at speeding up recovery.  I also recommend doubling up on a dose of Vibracell. I am finding that it speeds up recovery really quickly as well.  I also tell clients to double dose it at the first feeling of illness and it tends to stop the illness taking hold.
• Up your Vitamin C intake if you are suffering from a cold or flu. Vitamin C really can knock a cold or flu on its head.  Get a pure, natural one for maximum potency.  I advise staying away from the store bought "remedies" as they tend to be very synthetic and filled with questionable ingredients eg binders, caffeine, sweeteners. You do not need these ingredients in your body when you are trying to recover from an illness.
• I also recommend using activated charcoal when ill, especially if it is a tummy bug. The activated charcoal will scavenge the body for the toxin and absorb it and get rid of it though urine or poop. It can shorten the illness dramatically. Coalz is a high quality pure activated charcoal and fab for this purpose (It is also brilliant for hangover prevention during the party season too 🤣  Take 3 after a night out, just before bed and your hangover will be easier on you. If it has been a very heavy night, you could take another 3 in the morning when you get up as well).
• A homemade rub is great if someone is suffering from a chesty cough. I recommend mixing coconut oil with 2 drops of eucalyptus, 2 drops of lemon and 1 of peppermint and rubbing it on the chest. You can also diffuse this oil mixture and it will help clean the air and make breathing easier  

The winter season doesn't have to be one filled with illness. Take the preventative measures to try to reduce your chance of being ill but if worst case scenario happens, you can recover quickly. 

Yours in Health and Happiness