Both times I have attended the surgery this month, I have developed a cold within a couple of days… yes correlation and causation and all that, but it has reminded me that as we approach the winter months, there will be the inevitable increase in colds and flu.
If you search online, the majority of suggestions relate to washing your hands, catching a sneeze or cough in a tissue and avoiding touching your nose, mouth or eyes. Perhaps all things we paid more attention to during times of covid, but let’s be honest, who does that now…?
So here are a few thoughts on more achieveable steps you can consider:
- Home Cooking
We are all busy people, but the advantage of cooking from fresh at home really makes a difference to our health, not only to the taste of the food, but also from the nutrients and associated reduction in the number of preservatives and chemicals added. I try to bulk cook -I turn the radio on (Smooth radio which has a lot of 80s) and maybe even indulge in a Chef’s perrogative (glass of wine!) - Take Time for You
We often find ourselves rushing from pillar to post and sometimes rarely take the time to do what we want (and falling asleep exhausted on the sofa does not count!). By this, I mean a deliberate “take five” to do something you want to do; whether it’s to read a book or go to the gym. - Keep Hydrated
I’ve seen a lot of posts about drinking 1.5 litres each day, but more so these days, that scientists are telling us to listen to our body and drink when we are thirsty. I like this concept as it makes me feel less of a slave to a number (1.5l) which can leave us feeling despondent that we haven’t been able to achieve this. - Sleep
I’m a big convert to the importance of the right amount of sleep (please see previous journal entries), but it’s so important. We can’t function properly (based on my American prof) on insufficient sleep and this itself can cause road accidents. - Exercise
Getting out and about when it’s cold isn’t a gret motivator, but there are a lot of things we can do indoors. I suggest looking at YouTube videos (use the “Duck Duck Go” browser to avoid having to listen to those annoying adverts that have no relevance to your life and just eat into your spare time). There are plenty of exercises you can do without any equipment and even when you’re just waiting for the kettle to boil, you can do some squats (remembering that if you have any medical condition that you are best to check with your GP and also make sure someone else is in the house in case you get stuck!)
Not forgetting our post from 18th October last year with our top three supplements to suggest adding over the cold months.
