The cold weather is slowly creeping up on us, bringing along the dreaded cold and flu that always seems to be going around. We’re more susceptible to illnesses like colds and flu viruses in the winter and viruses are more likely to spread, especially as we spend more time indoors and those morning commutes mean we’re closer in proximity to one another. The human body is an amazing thing, our immune system has its own natural defences and works wonders to keep us healthy, despite this, we need to make sure that our body is protected, nourished, and able to fight back.
For better health this winter, follow these tips to boost your immune system and look after yourself:
Exercise
There’s no surprise this is on the list, exercise provides more than just physical benefits, it’s also good for your mental well-being and in the coldest winter months can heighten your immune system. Even 30mins of exercise a day can massively help your body! Anything from walking, cycling, swimming, yoga and low-intensity workouts helps your blood flow, which speeds up your lymphatic drainage.
A good immune system needs good circulation of fluid around the body via blood and the lymphatic system (a small network of vessels that syphons excess fluid from your tissues and carries immune cells back to the bloodstream).
Healthy Diet
Healthcare professionals advise we change our shopping habits and switch the junk for more immune system-boosting nutritious foods. It’s important to increase our intake of foods high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatories including broccoli, ginger, spinach, fish, blueberries, and turmeric. The aim is to not overload yourself with those Christmas treats, alcohol, takeaways and sugary treats which all upset our immune system instead, focus on eating fresh whole foods and high-quality proteins that provide your body with its essential nutrients. Luckily high-quality, fresh and affordable food can be found at Hammersmith Broadway. You can find all your essential nutritious groceries with loads of weekly offers for your weekly shop. Tesco has over 1,000 low prices locked until 2023, helping you find the best quality food at prices that help you save on every shop.
Vitamins
Essential vitamins are vital, increasing your intake can really give your immunity the much-added boost it deserves this winter. Different vitamins provide different benefits but the essentials you need are A, C and Zinc.
Vitamin A helps keep your body’s natural defences high, and vision in dim light, as well as keeps skin and the lining of some parts healthy.
Vitamin C supports your immune system and nervous system, but is also an antioxidant that helps your body absorb iron.
Zinc also supports your immune system, but mainly works at breaking down proteins in viruses and bacteria. Zinc plays a major role in increasing the activation of cells responsible for fighting infection.
If you’re looking for somewhere to find all the vitamins you need this winter, look no further than Hammersmith Broadway.
Sleep and rest
Possibly the most important one on this list and should be your main focus. During sleep, your body not only carries out major repairs and housekeeping but, releases protective cytokine proteins which help your immune system. Rest is essential for a well functioning immune system and the physiological process that provides the foundation for good health.