Top tips to staying flu free this winter

It’s official: the season of colds and flu has arrived. We’re all familiar with the dreaded symptoms harnessed by both infections: aches and pains, fever, sore throat, runny nose, and an irritating cough that can often lead to embarrassing gasps and shortness of breath. However, this year round we’re on higher alert than those previous, particularly because of Swine Flu threat.

Students are more susceptible to catching such aforementioned infections due to their hectic lifestyles. The combination of stress, travel, lack of sleep, diet and other such factors all effect the strength of one’s immune system, and the level of a person’s susceptibility will inevitably avert back to the strength of their immune system. Result: those with an immune system below base-line normal are at an exceedingly greater risk of getting ill.

Don’t fret though, there are a number of healthy options available to stave off infection and reinforce all those sentry cells designed to battle with any unwarranted invasions.

Vitamin C is vital in the fight against infection; it is an underestimated powerhouse that can be consumed in a number of convenient ways. Lemon juice harbours powerful antioxidants and a high level of Vitamin C. It also supports the body’s natural PH, which maintains a healthy level of “friendly bacteria”. Oranges and pure unconcentrated orange juice are other superlative sources of Vitamin C. One whole orange provides a whopping 116% of free radical busting Vitamin C. There’s a thought to hold tight next time you pass a colourful fruit stall.

Ditch the caffeine-laden cups of coffee in favour of herbal teas and tinctures. Caffeine, contrary to popular belief, steals the body of vital minerals and vitamins, and dehydrates your system. Green tea is high in antioxidants, as well as Pu-erh tea, White tea, Rooibos tea, and many more, which can be found in local health and Chinese shops. The other high priority is water. It is most effective at hydrating the body, feeding the mind, and promoting health and vitality.

Sugar provides the body with a drug-like high, but, like every high comes an almighty low. Sugar stresses out the body by misleading it into believing that it has more energy. It also contributes to weight gain, ageing and fluctuating energy levels. Cutting out sugar and replacing it with healthier alternatives will result in a noticeable increase in energy levels and a boost to your immune system.

Nurture, nurture, nurture, if ever you needed the excuse, protecting the immune system is the ultimate one. Sleep is vital; it improves concentration, controls weight, lessens the likelihood of suffering from depression, contributes to healthy skin, and balances hormone levels.

Equal to sleep is the great outdoors. We spend most of our day indoors inhaling inadequately filtered air and breathing in the germs of others. Fresh air is vital for the rejuvenation process, and delivers freshly filtered air – provided fume levels are low -directly to our lungs.

“You are what you eat”. We are all familiar with that phrase, made popular by nutritionist and food guru Dr Gillian Mc Keith. Fruit and vegetables are crucial to maintaining a strong immune system. Both provide the body with high levels of vitamins and minerals, while protein is crucial in the sense that it provides the body with the strength needed to keep our immune systems sturdy. It is also advisable to pop a daily multi-vitamin, alongside your fruit and vegetable intake.

So, if you’re feeling “under the weather”, feeling a tad dose of the sniffles, or simply want to beat the cold or flu before they beat you, then the above steps are sensible in the sense that you are arming yourself with crucial steps against this season’s spate of common infections.

Premeditation is key in preventing infection and protecting the immune system against cunning germs and their infiltrations. Wrap up and keep warm. Good luck!

Editor: Martin Flanagan