As Winter starts to return, we’re republishing some of the tips that our Winter Wellbeing Cafe came up with last year – to help you keep healthy and safe through the cold months.
1. Eat more fruit and veg to boost your immune system, including prunes, kiwi fruit, other greens and carrots. Also make garlic part of your diet as this has protective properties.
2. Exercise three times a week, this may include dancing, yoga and swimming. It’s tempting to stay in bed under the duvet when it’s cold but exercise is good for the circulation.
3. Keep wrapped up warm; most body heat is lost through the head, so wear a hat or scarf. Cover up with lots of thin layers of wool or fleecy fabrics; these are better than cotton. Lots of thin layers trap warm air so are better than one thick item and don’t forget thermal underwear.
4. Drink plenty of hot drinks, not necessarily tea and coffee. Try fruit herbal teas, hot chocolate or just put hot water in fruit juice for a nice hot drink to warm you up.
5. Make sure you get your flu injection if you are eligible.
6. Wear thermal socks with warm shoes or boots with non-slip soles.
7. Keep basic cold, flu and sore throat remedies at hand just in case.
8. Wear a shawl or blanket around your shoulders and/or over your knees when sitting around the house. Put your feet up as air is colder on the ground.
9. Close the curtains as the sun goes down this will keep in the heat, put draught excluders under doors (make your own if possible) be careful not to block any air vents or flues.
10. Drink plenty of water; this helps to retain the skin’s elasticity and prevents dryness and also flushes toxins out of the system.
