Fight Colds Faster This Year
There’s lots to love about winter. It’s the footy season for starters. You can get your fire-pit burning. And you might even try some snow sports.
You probably have great plans for an exciting winter. So, you should also be planning for good winter health. Here’s how to support a healthy immune system so that if you catch a cold this winter, you might beat it a bit faster.
A healthy diet
Your immune and digestive systems are intertwined, meaning a good diet can influence your immune function.
A healthy diet features a variety of wholegrains, protein, dairy (yoghurt is a good source of probiotics) and a colourful mix of fruits and vegetables. Hmmm … what did you eat yesterday?
A healthy gut
Whether you have a six-pack or a beer belly, there’s a lot going on inside. Trillions of microscopic bacteria are busily fine-tuning your immune system.
Colds aren’t easy to avoid. But you can help make their duration shorter and symptoms less intense by taking a specially formulated probiotic (a capsule of ‘good’ bacteria).
Just like vitamins, each probiotic strain can have a different purpose. If you’re concerned about colds, look for a probiotic containing Lactobacillus plantarum HEAL9 and Lactobacillus paracesei 8700:2. These strains can help make colds shorter and reduce their symptoms so they’re easier to handle.
Life-Space’s fridge-free Immune Support Probiotic contains five different probiotic strains, including scientifically researched Lactobacillus plantarum HEAL9 and Lactobacillus paracasei 8700:2, alongside vitamin C and zinc. That’s a great support for your immune system.
An active body
Regular exercise not only helps to keep your fitness up, it also helps maintain a healthy immune system. Hopefully, that encourages you to get moving.
Sunshine and laughter
Sit by the window or eat lunch outside to get some much-needed winter sunlight.
Sunshine provides vitamin D. A study of young military recruits found that those with low vitamin D levels were more vulnerable to illness and needed more time off active duty.
Stress makes you vulnerable to illness but sunshine improves your sleep and increases production of the ‘happy hormone’ serotonin, which helps regulate your immune system. When you’re generally happy, pleased and relaxed, you’re more able to resist colds. Having a laugh with your mates really is good for you.
Refreshing sleep
A good night’s sleep helps regulate your immune function and gives your body chance to repair itself. Poor sleepers succumb to colds more easily than their better-rested mates. Get into good sleep habits by going to bed at a similar time each night, turning off digital devices (yes, that means your iPhone!) that emit sleep-stealing blue light and reserving your bed for sleep and sex, not for finishing off work while binge-watching Netflix.
Always read the label. Use only as directed. If symptoms persist consult your healthcare practitioner.
