As the season changes and the colder weather begins to creep in, we often become a bit more aware of our health. We feel those aches and pains more acutely and start to see more signs of sniffles sneaking in.
While there’s nothing we can do to stop the colder months from coming, there’s plenty we can do to boost our health and keep bugs at bay.
Here’s some tips and tricks to look after yourself as autumn starts.
Boost your Vitamin D
As the clocks change and we see less light through the day, it’s important to make sure we still get the vitamin D our bodies need. In the UK, many of us are deficient in this important vitamin so it’s a good idea to take a supplement to ensure you’re getting the levels you need. Also, make sure you get out in the daylight hours where possible. Take a lunchtime walk or ask your colleagues if they fancy taking that meeting outside if the sun is shining.
Practice good hygiene
We may have stopped wearing masks as the Covid-19 pandemic eased, but that doesn’t mean that we should get complacent with our hygiene. Continuing to wash your hands regularly and use sanitiser when touching surfaces in public places is good common practice for avoiding germs.
Be mindful of your sleep
As the days get shorter, you may notice your sleep habits changing. Practicing good sleep hygiene is important. Keep to a regular routine, aiming to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Try not to use devices before bed and keep your sleep environment clear, clutter free and comfortable.
Keep an eye on your mood
It’s common to experience a change in your moods as the seasons change. Many of us experience symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) where we notice persistent low mood and fatigue. Keeping a journal of your moods and being aware of changes is a good way to be mindful of these shifts and to get support if they are becoming difficult to manage.
Stay active
As it gets darker and colder, it’s easy to hide away and hibernate. But it’s important to stay active. Exercising regularly can help boost your mood, aid circulation and digestion, and keep maintain a healthy weight.
Moisturise
Colder weather can wreak havoc on your skin. Going form chilly air outside to heated spaces and back again can also cause damage. Be sure to stay hydrated inside and out, by drinking plenty of water and choosing a good vitamin-rich moisturiser for your skin and balm for your lips, to keep your skin from drying out and cracking.
Eat seasonally
It can be tempting to turn to comforting junk food when it gets cold and dark. But a poor diet will cause you to feel worse in the long run. Instead, try to eat a balanced diet of vitamin and antioxidant–rich seasonal foods, such as aubergine, beetroot, broccoli, sprouts, cabbage, and stone fruits and berries.
Check in with your body
We can often feel off kilter as the seasons shift and we adjust to the change in temperature and time. But if you continue to feel ‘off’ despite being mindful to exercise, sleep well and eat right, it could be worth checking in with your body to find out if you’re deficient in essential vitamins or are experiencing other problems.
A comprehensive blood test is a great place to start, giving you information on the health and status of vital organs and systems in the body, as well as levels of vitamins and minerals.
Give yourself a comprehensive MOT and feel well through Autumn and Winter
It’s so important to look after our bodies as the colder months set in. We hope that the tips in this article will help set you up for a healthy autumn and winter.
If you’re interested in taking a look at your health and wellbeing in more detail, a private blood test is a brilliant place to start.
Private blood testing is becoming a popular solution for a whole range of medical and diagnostic checks, for people who want quick access to important information about their health and wellbeing. And with our quick and convenient home to laboratory testing kits, getting that information is easy.
Our Comprehensive PLUS V test is a quick and easy home to laboratory test which can provide the confirmation you need, without a visit to the doctor or hospital. Our postal kits give you the opportunity to collect a blood sample in the comfort of your own home, at a time to suit you. Simply take your sample and return it to us for testing. Your results, which are emailed to you, can be used to seek the right treatment, as needed.
