Tips to keep the cold at bay this festive season
Colds and flu are common at this time of year, so make sure it doesn't ruin your Christmas holidays by following these simple tips.
Don’t kiss someone with a cold. This is obvious, but may be forgotten, especially with office parties under full swing and a glass or two inside you, or in the presence of mistletoe.
Get plenty of rest. The extra socialising we go through this time of the year as well as pressure of getting all the gifts picked and wrapped can be stressful and take its toll on your immune system. Take time for a normal night or two and recharge your batteries.
Manage the fun. Many of us eat and drink too much during this time of year and many of the foods we are faced with (sugary and fatty foods) are OK in small doses but weaken your immune system when consumed every day. Spread these ‘guilty foods’ through the week – plan for a few nice light salads in between as well as a day or two without your favourite wine.
Look after your throat. All the festive singing and cheer can strain your vocal cords and this can make you more prone to picking up bugs. Shouting to make yourself heard above a loud rendition of ‘Chestnuts roasting over an open fire’ has the same effect and is worse if you are a smoker. To soothe a sore throat, try our sore throat spray.
Get some fresh air. Staying indoors and keeping warm is so very tempting when it is blowing a gale outside. Make it a point to take a 30 minute walk each day and breathe deeply. This will also help you walk off the calorie overload.
Drink plenty of water. This will be good for your hangover, but more importantly, allow your body to ‘detox’ as it fights to work through the heavy foods commonly on offer during this time of year.
Be happy. Avoid the pitfall of becoming stressed or anxious with all that is happening around you. Enforced time with family can be difficult, but put on your best karma, relax and smile – after all, this only comes round once a year.
Take Echinacea. At the first sign of a cold, start taking Echinaforce, our licenced herbal remedy for relieving the symptoms of colds. The tincture is most potent, but tablets can be easier when you are on the move.
