Build up your natural defences this winter

As the days get shorter and darker, our thoughts turn to building up your natural defences.

With the temperature dropping outside, lots of us are left feeling like hibernating on the sofa and begin to see our healthy routines slip away. To make matters harder, the inevitable cold and flu season has started to gain traction. Statistics show that up to 80% of people could be hit with three colds per year and, with the festive season fast approaching, it’s important to be prepared.

So how can you give your motivation a lift, support your immunity and keep yourself healthy and energised throughout the end of the year?

Fuelling your body with vitamins and minerals over the winter months is crucial in helping to maintain energy levels and vitality, as well as making sure our lifestyle habits are helping, not hindering our immune systems. Natural liquid iron supplement Spatone® has pulled together some top tips to keep well and support your body’s natural defences this winter.

Embrace foods loaded with Vitamin C: Add foods like sweet potatoes, tomatoes, red peppers and citrus fruits to your meals as they contain Vitamin C which plays an important role supporting the immune system, which has a knock-on effect for your energy levels.

Eat more iron rich foods: Red meats, lentils and green leafy vegetables are good sources of iron, a powerhouse mineral which supports a healthy immune system and contributes to a reduction in tiredness and fatigue. If you’re not getting all your iron requirements from food sources alone, consider adding a natural iron food supplement like Spatone.

Reach for Vitamin B12: Fish such as salmon and cod as well as milk, eggs and cheese are great sources of Vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 contributes to the normal function of the immune system and it a great addition during the winter months.

Slow down on the sugars: Often the winter months can entice us to reach for sugar laden comfort foods and one too many glasses of mulled wine, which can be bad for our waistline and our energy levels. Try swapping sugary foods for root veggies and soups that are just as comforting, but nutritious to boot!

Don’t let the healthy lifestyle habits slip: Stress and a lack of rest, exercise and sleep all tend to affect our energy and our strength, which can leave us more vulnerable to outside influences. To achieve vitality over the winter months, make sure you give yourself time to relax, exercise and try to get both good quality and quantity of sleep.

Stay positive and balanced: Many who feel stressed or anxious at this time of year might experience a dip in energy as your body triggers ‘flight or fight’ mode and tries to bypass daily pressures. Healthy lifestyle and dietary habits, an optimistic attitude and caring for your emotional wellbeing will support the optimal function of not only the immune system but your entire body throughout the winter months.

This article has been provided by Spatone, and you can find out more about their range of supplements here.

For more healthy tips and tricks, take a look here!