Keeping Healthy This Winter

Winter is well and truly upon us as our bodies are dealing with the crisp cold weather and damp rainy days. We all know this time of the year signifies cold and flu season. It can be a little unsettling when everyone at work or at home has been sick and unwell. Life is too busy to be sick! We are left hoping our immune system stays strong while diligently sanitising our hands and politely staying away from the slightest cough or sneeze.

This article covers some simple yet effective steps you can incorporate into your lifestyle to help prevent the cold and flu this season!

1 – Warm Clothing

From a Chinese Medicine perspective it is external factors like the wind and cold that attack the body and result in cold and flu symptoms if our defences are weak. Always wear clothes which cover and protect your body from the cold, such as long coats, big scarfs, thick pants and boots. Cover the back of your neck, especially in the wind and avoid shoes which expose your feet during the winter season.

2 – Rest More

Get more rest! Sleep is key for your body’s regenerative process. While you sleep your body releases hormones and infection fighting proteins which focus on growth and repair. Extra rest will enhance the function of your immune system at the first sign of a cold.

It is easy to keep the same pace in lifestyle from summer and autumn coming into winter. Though much like animals hibernate, winter invites us to slow down and take more rest than any other season. If we don’t adjust our lifestyle to this natural cycle it is easy to become run down.

3 – Supplements

During Melbourne winters a daily dose of vitamin D is essential as we just don’t get the sun exposure we need through this period. Vitamin D has many health benefits but for the sake of staying on topic Vitamin D manages our susceptibility to infection.

Another great supplement to regularly have is a combined dose of vitamin C and zinc which also help to enhance our immune system.

Olive leaf extract and Echinacea are great to start taking when you begin to feel a niggle in the throat or runny nose. These supplements naturally treat the symptoms of an oncoming cold

4 – Healthy Diet

Take care of your digestive health.

Avoid cold food such as icy cold drinks and ice cream. Your stomach needs to work harder in order to change the temperature of the cold foods you ingest as the enzymes in your stomach will only break down substances which are warm temperature. Warm nourishing foods such as vegetable soups will help your digestive system break down and assimilate your food more effectively without overworking.

Take your probiotics. Your gut holds around 70 percent of our immune system. If you take care of your gut health and introduce healthy bacteria into your system, your body will function more effectively in the process of fighting infections.

Eat a healthy diet filled with veggies and whole fresh foods. Avoid processed foods, foods high in sugar and fat, excessive meal portions sizes and high content of chilli and spices as they compromise the function of your gut.

5 – Morning Cup of Tea

Drink Peppermint or Ginger tea each morning. They have antiviral properties and help prevent the spread of viruses around the body.

I have adjusted my lifestyle but I’m still getting sick! What do I do?

If you have adjusted your lifestyle yet still find your body struggles to fight off frequents colds, then perhaps there is an imbalance or weakness in your immune system which needs to be addressed. This is the time where intervention by a natural health care practitioner is advised to help get your body back on track.

Chinese Medicine is great at finding the root cause of the problem and understanding what part of your system is not working efficiently. Studies have shown Chinese herbs have strong immune enhancing effects while acupuncture powerfully regulates the immune system and increases the amount of white blood cells that destroy bacteria.

A Chinese Medicine treatment involves holistically assessing your current state of health, then receiving acupuncture and herbal medicine based on your unique presentation.

If you are feeling unwell be sure to rest, alter your lifestyle and add some supportive supplementation. However, if you’re still struggling to fight off every bug that is going around and sick of feeling under the weather, Chinese Medicine is the next best option! Get in touch today.

Wishing you great health this winter!

Dr Ajna Terlecki
Acupuncturist & Herbalist