How to stay warm this winter

IHAVE been saying for weeks now that we were in for a cold winter this year and as you can see it's finally arrived.

The main thing that preoccupies most of us now is how to stay warm at home. If you are using heaters that have been in storage, then get them checked out by your electrician.

If you don't have a heater, then I would rush out now and buy one before they become scarce and the prices go up and up.

If you suffer from sinus, breathing or chest problems, I would recommend that you do not use a fan heater as they can create conditions that are unhealthy. Opt instead for an oil radiator or an electric 'bar' type heater.

Remember to keep the house well-ventilated too.

Keep warm by wearing several thin layers of clothing and add an extra blanket to your bed.

Don't leave heaters on when you leave home and try not to sleep with them on or you could wake up with congested sinuses and a headache.

If you find you are getting the sniffles, then try drinking hot Ribena or Vimto cordials. Recent research has shown fruit cordials to be more effective at reducing cold symptoms and speeding up recovery, than traditional over-the-counter cold remedies.

It can be a challenge to decide what to wear throughout the day. It can feel bitterly cold early mornings and later in the evening, so wearing thin layers means you have the versatility to peel off when you feel warm and wrap up again when you feel cold.

Strengthening your

immune system

Keeping your immune system strong is a good way to avoid illness. A healthy balanced diet with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables is important and taking a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement can help this. Many nutritionists recommend 1000mg of vitamin C daily, but I prefer Berocca, which is a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement. If you are a smoker, you need to take an additional 1000mg of vitamin C daily as most of the vitamin C will go towards counteracting the negative effects of the smoke. Don't worry about overdosing on vitamin C, as any excess is excreted naturally.

Exercising regularly helps boost your immune system, as does taking a bath with lemon and lavender essential oils.

All essential oils are natural antiseptics, so burning or diffusing oils can be very beneficial. Particularly effective are eucalyptus and tea tree. Make up a spray with 100mls of mineral water, 50 drops of tea tree, 20 drops of lavender and 20 drops of eucalyptus oils and spray it regularly in your environment at home and work.

If you are travelling by air, use your tea tree spray on the seat and pillow to cleanse and protect your environment. Wearing a medical style face mask can seem extreme but if you are unfortunate enough to be sitting next to, or close to someone who is ill then it is worth considering.

Manuka honey is another powerful antiseptic and anti-viral and having a teaspoonful first thing in the morning is a great way to start the day. Look for pure Manuka honey with 15+ or even better the 20+ or 25+ sign on the jar as this means it's more potent.

If you have a sore throat try adding the juice of half a fresh lemon to some hot water and two teaspoons of Manuka honey and sip it while it's still hot.

If you have a blocked nose or sinusitis then try using a nasal seawater spray called Sterimar.

Clearing the head with a steam inhalation is still one of the best natural remedies. Use hot but not boiling water and add two drops of tea tree, one of lavender and one of eucalyptus and place a towel over your head and inhale the aromatic steam for a few minutes.

A warm bath with two tablespoons of mustard powder and a cup of milk powder and five drops of tea tree will help you really sweat out the bugs and stimulate your circulation and leave you feeling relaxed.

Many of us feel constantly cold and shivery and drinking tea made with fresh root ginger can have a comforting, warming effect.

Low energy and low spirits can affect us when we feel cold. Try this energising drink; put half a cantaloupe melon, two sliced pears and a half-inch piece of fresh ginger in a liquidiser then strain and drink.

The power of positive thought should not be underestimated. Keep telling yourself how well and healthy and full of energy you feel and it will be so. Researchers have shown the power of positive thought has a positive effect on our immune system.

Take my advice, as soon as you feel shivery, take to your bed, with some of the hot drinks above, a favourite book, magazines, a DVD you have been meaning to watch, tell yourself how lucky you are to have a relaxing refuge and think positive thoughts. Let me leave you with one final thought, ... smile, smile, smile, as this releases those feel-good endorphins. That's one 'virus' we should all be spreading around. Happy Holidays.