How To Fight Coughs, Colds And Flu This Winter

By strengthening your immune system can insulate you and your family from many viruses.

“Healthy sleep architecture means everything to our immune system,” says Bryce Wylde

Coughs, colds, or influenza can be a huge disruption to a person’s day-to-day life. There is never a good time to miss work or to lose precious leisure time to an illness.

When it comes to colds and flu, prevention is better than a cure. One of the best ways to avoid getting sick this winter is to nurture your general wellness and strengthen your immune system. When your immune system is working well, it is the best line of defence against viruses.

Strengthening the cornerstones of your immune system

A healthy and varied diet, plenty of good-quality sleep, and low stress levels are the cornerstones of a strong immune system. When it comes to sleep, it’s not just the hours we clock on the pillow but the quality of the sleep we get. “Healthy sleep architecture means everything to our immune system,” says Bryce Wylde, television host, author, clinician, and alternative medicine expert.

“Stress reduction is also significantly impactful on immune function,” says Wylde. “Practicing mindful meditation for just ten minutes a day can greatly reduce stress.”

"Homeopathic medicines can be used to reduce the severity of flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, and headaches."

A healthy and varied diet is imperative for boosting immune strength. Most people know that avoiding sugars and salt and eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables can be beneficial to their health, but are unsure of just how varied their diet needs to be.

“Ideally, we will eat the entire rainbow of fruit and veg every single day, with an emphasis on green, dark blue, and purple produce. Those antioxidants are incredibly helpful to the immune system,” says Wylde, who is the health and wellness expert on CityTV Breakfast Television and CityLine.

What to do when you do get sick

Despite our best intentions, however, we all fall ill sometimes. While there is no known cure for the common cold or influenza, there are a number of over-the-counter medicines that can help ease symptoms and speed recovery.

Homeopathic remedies are gaining popularity, as they have been shown to ease flu-like symptoms and reduce the duration of an illness, and are often safe for children.

Homeopathic medicines can be used to reduce the severity of flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, and headaches. As with all medication, it is wise to consult a health care professional before administering to yourself or a family member.

The key to avoiding the worst of this cold season is to live well and invest in your health.