We’ve rounded up our top tips to have you feeling your best, no matter how chilly it gets.
Opt for daily immune support
With cold and flu season around the corner, it’s super important to boost your immune system. GP, Dr Wendy Denning names all the essential vitamins and nutrients that a winter supplement should include.
Research has found that those people who are deficient in Vitamin D have a poorer outcome and are more vulnerable to COVID-19 infections, so we should all be taking some Vitamin D throughout this winter. Vitamin C supplementation may prevent us from getting a cold and will also shorten the duration and severity of a viral illness so we should be supplementing regularly. Other important and well known immune boosters are zinc and selenium.
Additionally, keeping one’s gut flora in optimal shape by taking a good quality probiotic has been shown to reduce the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections.
“If you are looking for a supplement that has all of this then look at the new range called Urgent-C, made by Proven Probiotics. Not only do they offer one of the best probiotics on the market but all the other ingredients are there in good doses, in a readily accessible form that your body can use, with all of this at a very affordable price and with an agreeable taste. In terms of immune protection at an affordable price, this is hard to beat.”
Try the brand new Urgent-C Everyday Immune Support. Simply take one effervescent orange sachet daily, which is equally delicious either dissolved in water or swallowed directly. RRP £12.95, www.provenprobiotics.co.uk
Keep glucose levels balanced
When temperatures drop, we tend to crave stodgier comfort foods, and these can wreak havoc with our glucose levels. This is especially detrimental for those with type 2 diabetes. GP, Dr Sarah Brewer, working in association with CuraLin, the all-natural supplement that helps balance glucose levels, advises:
“Fill up with healthy and warming stews full of low GI vegetables and beans. If having crusty bread, select granary-style seeded and brown wholemeal loaves. Home-made curry makes a great winter warmer, and curry spices such as cinnamon, fenugreek, chilli and turmeric have beneficial effects on glucose control. If you are having rice, select brown or wild rice rather than white rice. Rather than drinking hot chocolate, opt for high flavanol unsweetened cacao, which is a delicious way to help improve glucose control by reducing insulin resistance.”
Dr Brewer also reminds us of the importance of looking after ourselves when temperatures drop:
“Don’t reduce your level of exercise when it’s cold – still go out for a daily walk but wrap up warm. Exercise helps prevent blood glucose levels from creeping up. As well as this, infections cause blood glucose levels to rise, and respiratory infections are more common during the cold months of the year. If you have diabetes, an annual flu vaccination is recommended. Check that you’ve received a one-off pneumococcal vaccine, which is also recommended for people with diabetes.”
To help support a healthy lifestyle as a diabetic, consider an all-natural supplement such as CuraLin (RRP £59.00, www.curalife.com). The natural formula promotes healthy and balanced blood sugar levels and insulin production in those suffering from Type 2 Diabetes.
Users report that their glucose control quickly improves and, in some cases, normalises within 4 weeks.
Don’t let your period stop you
If you’re feeling inspired to get active even in the cold, you might have another thing to contend with – your period. Exercising when you’re on your period can be no easy feat. No one wants to worry about a bulky pad or leaky tampon on a regular day, much less when you’re on a run or in downward dog.
Using a Saalt Menstrual Cup (RRP £25, www.saaltco.uk) whilst exercising will make you completely forget you’re on your period, so you can focus on your workout. Saalt Cups can be worn for up to 12 hours, taking you from work to workout and back without needing to be changed. They’re made from soft silicone and have a flexible shape that perfectly moulds to your body so you don’t even feel the Saalt Cup while you’re wearing it.
Take a power shower
Something as simple as beginning each day with a refreshing shower can help get you in the right mood for the day. Incorporating luxurious products with invigorating scents will help kick-start your day and keep your mood upbeat for those colder days.
Indulge your senses with Nereus London’s high performing hair and body care formulations which have been consciously designed to reduce plastic impact. Why not try the Madagascan Pink Pepper Revitalising Body Wash – enriched with Fresh Ginger Essential Oil for an uplifting, revitalising experience. This extra-moisturising formula leaves skin feeling soft and supple (RRP £25, available on www.nereus.uk).
Look after your hair, skin and nail health
Colder weather can dry out skin, nails and hair and can leave us feeling lacklustre. We all want shiny locks, glowing skin and strong nails but this does not simply come from lotions and potions.
It is important to support your body from the inside to boost your outer beauty and overall health and wellbeing. Introducing the latest product added to Natures Plus’ beauty repertoire, the BioAdvanced Hair, Skin and Nails (RRP £23.95, available on Amazon).
Unlike many other beauty supplements on the market, this product is a great vegan option. Each capsule supplies all-natural, easily absorbed, bio-available ingredients. These include hyaluronic acid – often found in beauty products for its moisturising benefits, biotin which supports keratin and encourages growth and Antioxidants, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and to help nourish and protect the skin, hair and nails. Plus a capsule is super easy to incorporate into you winter-proofing routine.
