3 Tips for a flu-free winter
- How to thrive this winter
- Popular myths examined
Wherever hours reading this from, it’s probably warmer than Scotland! Since the start of October, the weather has really turned colder.
With that, there has been a rise in colds and flus.
I detest having either, it really can be an unpleasant experience! So what can you do exactly to prevent it.
Besides “prevention is better than cure!”
1) Preparation
As insinuated above, the sudden drop in temperature can create chaos for our immune system. Therefore, be. sensible when you’re out and about.
From personal experience, I get far more colds from being outside and not having enough layers on than I do from running in winter.
If your body is properly warmed up, you’ll soon need fewer layers. This is something that you should factored in, especially if training outdoors. For me, I’ll always run in shorts but have a jacket on.
It is a case of finding what works and if you’ve not run / much before then wrap up if outdoor training is your forte.
2) Nutrition
Where would we be if we didn’t review nutrition too?
Anything that we ingest will be related to the state of our wellbeing.
Furthermore, there is a lot of advice / information about what exactly you need…
I’m sure you’ve heard oranges, vitamin tablets, fruit, green tea and so on!
All of the evidence here is very anecdotal. What works for someone else may not work for you. However, having a decent level of citrus fruits (normally associated with oranges) will help your immune system. I do find this to be effective in general.
For me, I take a general multivitamin all year round. Whether it actually works or is just a placebo – I don’t know. Many people contest the power of a general multivitamin but I swear by it.
Certainly having a good variety of vegetables will help too. Micronutrients (such as trace vitamins and minerals) are essential for the immune system!
Of course, the antioxidant level in green tea will also give your immune system a kick.
Antioxidants are basically for assisting with the removal of toxins (free radicals and carcinogenics) from the body.
Finally on this point (although it’s probably the wrong time of year) cutting down on alcohol intake / being sensible will help maintain the immune system.
It is like preaching to the converted but a heavy night will leave you open to the cold and flu.
Remember: all in moderation- that includes the good and the bad!
Finally…
3) Keep Active
As much as doing nothing seems appealing in winter, making an effort to get outdoors (or to the gym) is vital to keep healthy.
Not only that but it’s a great antidepressant for during the winter months! Get the endorphins going. Recently, we have seen the rise of Seasonal Affective Disorder (see this link for details):
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Seasonal-affective-disorder/Pages/Introduction.aspx
It is linked with a lack of sunlight (or vitamin D, specifically) and obviously we don’t get much here in Scotland!
Besides the obvious fact of getting fresh air, you will feel amazing afterwards.
I started running outdoors in the winter and it took time to mould the habit (look out for an upcoming Vlog on this).
The thought is always worse than the activity. Our brain is adept at preservation and hates change.
Therefore, create a reward system for working out (ideally not chocolate!).
Once you’re over that initial hurdle, you’ll find it a lot easier to continue the activity.
Remember: make sure you enjoy it. Motivation that from within will last much longer than external motivation and being told to do something.
It really is up to you: have a virus free winter or succumb to it.
What works for you? Let me know in the comments section.
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