No, it’s not a Game of Thrones thing : )

Winter has come around again with threats of those debilitating coughs and colds. So how do we shield ourselves from these winter invaders?

• Eat a well-balanced meal of vegetables, fruits, herbs and spices to stock your body with the vitamins and minerals necessary for a healthy immune system

• Regular, fulfilling sleep is imperative for mental and physical repair from daily stressors. Poor sleep will impact on the immune system, cognition and mental health, blood sugar levels and inflammation.

• Enjoy the outdoors and rid the winter blues! Boost your Vitamin D with a little sunshine. Low levels of Vitamin D are linked to immune dysfunction and depression

• Mushrooms to the rescue! Mushrooms such as shiitake and oyster are great support for our immune function.

• Exercise promotes healthy circulation and decreases stress hormone that wreaks havoc with the immune system

• Drink plenty of water and keep those bugs on the outside of the body (water helps with elimination of many nasties).

• Reduce stress: Often called the stress hormone. cortisol not only depletes the body of important vitamins and minerals, it also suppresses the immune system

• Wash your hands: Simply washing hands with soap and water will prevent the spread of infection, reducing infection rates by up to 40%

• Avoid foods that affect your immune system - Sugar, caffeine, alcohol and excess saturated fats can suppress your immune system.

• Healthy bugs ! A healthy gut supports a healthy immune system. Specific bacteria such as Lactobacillus LGG assist in reducing the duration, severity and recurrence of respiratory tract infections

There are many herbs and nutrients that assist with fortifying the immune system against the winter perils. Please consult your friendly pharmacist or naturopath if you would like to find out more. Here’s an easy recipe you can try at home : )

Davina’s Cold Busting Tea Recipe