I’m pretty sure most years when the weather turns a little colder, I find myself picking up the odd cold or virus. When this happens, it usually results in a set back in fitness and training.
But this year, I wanna be prepared! And when Very.co.uk reached out to me about their Living Well with Very campaign, I figured I would share the best tips I could find with you too, to help us stay well for the rest of winter.
If you know me, you’ll know I love to see what everyone else ideas are and share those too! So have a read, and if you have any other remedies, please leave them in the comments or chat to me on Twitter / Facebook!
1 | There’s Nothing A Good Nights Sleep Can’t Fix
Am I right, or am I right?! Sleep is a personal favourite of mine even when I’m fit and well. Those hours you spend asleep are literally the only time that your body has a chance to recover and heal.
It also is where all your efforts in hitting the gym get reinforced so it’s definitely worth it and is as important as being active in the first place.
I’ve been lucky over the last few months that I am able to sleep until I wake up naturally, but on days where I need to be awake a certain time, I have an alarm clock which uses SAD light to wake me up.
Bethan, aka Bethan Taylor-Swaine says, “I love my lumi! I get pretty down in winter and it helps make sure I have a positive start to the day by waking me up gently.”
2 | Use Your Data As A Benchmark
If you haven’t already been tracking your steps, activity and other metrics then now is the perfect time to start. I’ve been using a Garmin Vivoactive 3 for the past couple of years and am just about to upgrade to the Vivoactive 4S from Very (I’ll write a review / comparison soon!).
You can track so much these days on your smart watch or fitness tracker – energy levels, blood oxygen saturation, breathing, menstrual cycle, stress, sleep, heart rate, hydration and more! Over time you will notice patterns and how they may relate to energy levels, your training, or general wellness.
I also got myself some new clothing and trainers from Very. I might not be leaving the house a lot but doesn’t mean I don’t still wanna look and feel good!
Check out the Very Sport & Leisure Zone for a huge selection of kit – basically everything you could need!
3 | Never Underestimate The Effects Of A Good Supplement
And one of my favourites when I feel the first symptoms of any kind of cold or flu, is Echinacea. If I feel like I might be coming down with something, I take two capsules in the morning for a couple of days, combined with sleep (see above) and so far (touch wood) it’s always worked a treat for me.
And yes, you can probably get everything you need from food if you eat a healthy balanced diet but a little help doesn’t hurt?! Fellow blogger, Petra, said “if you struggle with healthy eating I recommend supplementing with vitamin C, D, garlic and zinc. These all help with strengthening your immune system”. You can pick all of these up at Simply Supplements too.
4 | Winter Is Not The Time To Hibernate
As the seasons change, it’s as good a time as any to set yourself some goals. Victoria (All The Gear) says “it’s tempting to hibernate away in the winter, and the dark mornings and evenings mean it’s more tempting to reduce your activity levels, but set yourself some manageable, realistic goals to keep your activity levels up.“
“As long as it’s safe to, head out for an evening walk after a day in the office, or get some extra steps in on the weekend while it’s light. Make small changes like not getting tempted to take the car to go to the shops if you could walk it just because it’s cold”.
We prob need this reminder now more than ever as we face restrictions but if and when you can, get outdoors to soak up the daylight and breathe in some fresh air.
5 | Now You Have That Goal, Don’t Forget
…to wrap up warm when you’re outdoors. Rebecca told us “layers are key. Just ensure you remove any damp shirts once you stop and change them to prevent you getting cold”.
“Yes, winter is a nightmare for washing but train long in winter, run strong in spring”. So don’t forget to pack a spare top for a quick change if you aren’t showering and dry off immediately after your sweat fest.
6 | Sorry You Got Sick, But Home Remedies Are Amazeballs
If it’s too late (I’m sorry) then you can still help yourself to get better, faster. Starting with everything I have said above plus trying to get a little activity / movement / sweat in but keep the intensity lower than normal as you don’t want to weaken your immune system anymore than already.
What is the difference between cold and flu?
“A bad cold can seem very similar to influenza but generally, here’s how they compare:”
Dr Sarah Brewer
| Symptom | Common Cold | Influenza |
| Headache | Uncommon | Pronounced |
| Blocked nose | Usual | Sometimes |
| Sneezing | Usual | Sometimes |
| Sore throat | Common | Sometimes |
| Cough | Mild to moderate | Mild to severe |
| General aches & pains | Slight | Severe |
| Extreme exhaustion | Never | Pronounced |
| Weakness | Mild | Severe and can last 2-3 weeks |
| Fever | Uncommon and mild | Usually 39 degrees C or higher for 3 to 4 days |
Alana (The Larns) shared her homemade remedy with us. She said “I swear by warming up on the hob orange juice, cinnamon, honey and ginger when you have a cold coming on. Great for sore throat and clearing the sinuses!”
Do you have any other ways to help stay well during the colder autumn and winter months?!
Elle
Some great advice here on how to stay healthy in winter. Sleep is definitely the most important one out of all. Thanks again for including me!
Thanks for getting involved Petra! and for sharing! x
Love these tips! I'm all about getting some extra sleep when I feel a cold coming on. I also swear by Cold 911 tea from David's Tea! I had my first cold last week for the first time in over 3 years…coincidentally, I was out of that tea so I wasn't able to have any when I felt that cold start to settle in! Awesome tips 😀
Sleep is a favourite of mine even when I am well! haha! Will have to check out this tea! I'm a huge fan of teas and use them for a number of different ailments! Thanks for stopping by!