As the temperature drops and days grow shorter, our immune systems face increased challenges. With colds and flu making the rounds, and the added stress of shorter days, it’s crucial to bolster our defences.
By: Nicole Sherwin
Here’s a holistic guide to staying healthy, happy, and cosy this winter, from gut health and wholefoods to superfood skincare and emotional well-being.
Take care of your gut health
Your gut is home to trillions of microbes that play a vital role in your overall health, especially your immune system. To keep your gut flora balanced incorporate foods like kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi into your diet. These are rich in probiotics that support healthy digestion and bolster immune function. You can also take a probiotic supplement if those foods don’t ‘float your boat’.
Foods like garlic, onions, leeks, asparagus, and bananas feed the good bacteria in your gut, enhancing their effectiveness. Eat them every day to stay gut balanced and healthy. Whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables are essential for maintaining a healthy gut lining and ensuring smooth digestive processes. Eat all sorts of varieties. Try to include the rainbow of colours in your wholefoods into your daily diet.
Eat Wholefoods: They are Nutrient Powerhouses
Winter is the perfect time to nourish your body with nutrient-dense wholefoods. Root vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, and beets are rich in vitamins and antioxidants. Leafy greens like kale and spinach are also packed with immune-boosting nutrients. Citrus foods like oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes are loaded with vitamin C, a crucial nutrient for immune function.
Nuts and seeds like almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and flaxseeds provide essential fatty acids and vitamin E, which support immune health. Enjoy these in winter as they will be your best allies. Herbs and spices like turmeric, ginger, garlic, and cinnamon have powerful anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties. Add them generously to your meals and hot drinks.
Nourish your skin from the outside in with superfood skincare
Transdermal absorption skincare can be an effective way to deliver nutrients to the body, particularly in winter when the skin needs extra care. Four superfoods that are beneficial for immune boosting through transdermal absorption include Baobab, which is is exceptionally high in Vitamin C and helps in the production of collagen, promoting skin elasticity and repair.
Marula which is is rich in omega-9 fatty acids helps to lock in moisture and maintain skin hydration, while Shea butter, which is packed with vitamins A and E and are essential for skin health, and Cacao, which is rich in flavonoids, which have strong antioxidant properties. These compounds help to protect the skin from oxidative stress and boost skin repair and rejuvenation.
Incorporating these superfoods into transdermal skincare products can help boost the immune system by providing essential nutrients and protecting the skin from the harsh effects of winter.
Staying cosy and warm
Keeping warm is essential for comfort and health during winter. Wear multiple layers to trap heat. Opt for natural fabrics like wool, which retain warmth better than synthetics. Hot drinks like herbal teas, hot chocolate, and mulled cider can warm you from the inside out.
Use blankets, hot water bottles, and heated pads to keep cosy. Ensure your home is well-insulated to maintain a stable indoor temperature. Embrace the Danish concept of hygge, which involves creating a warm, inviting atmosphere with soft lighting, comforting food, and a cosy environment.
Winter doesn’t have to be a season of discomfort and illness. By focusing on gut health, nourishing your body with wholefoods, adopting natural skincare routines, uplifting your emotional well-being, and staying warm, you can thrive during the colder months. Embrace these winter wellness hacks to stay healthy, happy, and cosy all season long.
