As I am sure you’re aware, winter is fast approaching. The nights are getting longer and the weather is getting colder. When it comes to winter,  many of us pick up colds and illnesses along the way due to the changing climate, so I thought i’d share a few tips on how to stay healthy this winter.

Exercise strengthens the body and mind. It also strengthens your immune system. Training outside in the summer is great however when you take your exercise regimes indoors, you’re more likely to catch a bug.

Did you know; The free weights section at the gym harvest more than 362 times more bacteria than the average toilet seat. (You can thank Men’s Health magazine for that little fact!)

Now don’t read this post and stop training! Working out indoors is still better than not doing so at all. Just be mindful that germs thrive in warm rooms of condensation and sweat. So that means your spin or studio rooms are a sweet spot for bugs to live and breed.

Some hypochondriacs go into hyper drive when they hear the first rasping breath of the winter season. I’ve even been in the gym and spotted guys sporting smog masks! A tad over the top if you ask me.

Keeping your winter health in check is easy, just a few lifestyle changes and supplements can make all the difference.

Prevention Tips

• Drape a towel over the equipment  to avoid touching it
• Wear gym gloves
• Use Anti-bacterial gel
• Wash your hands properly (Hopefully that’s a no brainer)
• Avoid touching your lips against the tap on the water fountain or better still take bottled water

Gourmet Immunity Boosters

• Reishi: China’s “Mushroom of immortality” is packed with polysaccharides which boosts white blood cell production (great for increasing your immunity)
• Turmeric: This spice is proven to help fight everything from colds to cancer
• Manuka Honey: Rich in antibacterial methylglyoxal, it makes a Bee line (get it?) for clearing your airways faster than antibiotics
• Sun Dried tomatoes: They reduce your cancer risk as well as regulating the function of immune cells
• Wakame: The unsung hero of your lunchtime sushi! This stuff is full of iron and will aid your immune system as well as packing thyroid supporting iodine

Supplements

• Wellman/Wellwoman: This is a multi vitamin I swear by! It contains 29 nutrients all of which help prevent and cure the most common bugs.
• Vitamin C: Everyone knows it boosts both your immune and nervous system but drinking a glass of orange juice isn’t enough. I always recommend the 1000mg dissolvable tablets- they’re the best!
• Sambucol Extra Defence: Made of black elderberries Sambucol contains lots of naturally occurring flavonoids (plant DNA). This means you get lots of the natural properties from the plant like potassium and vitamin D. It’s also a good inflammatory if your throat is feeling a little sore.

I hope this post helps you and keeps you motivated to work out even in the coldest and harshest of mornings & evenings.

What are your top winter health tips?