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17.06.2021

Winter Wellness

As we know, winter brings about an important awareness to our daily wellbeing. Despite the change of season, our usual stressors and need for daily exercise linger (no matter how cold it gets). Ignoring these can possibly lower your immunity and impact your health.

A key to navigating your health ahead of cold & flu season, is to consistently listen to signals from your body. It is always communicating with you and it can take practice
to figure out how. Signals such as mood swings, upset digestion, headaches, anxiety, even skin breakouts can be signs of something going unchecked.

However, we can feel supported by Mother Nature as she provides us with fresh produce rich in vitamins & minerals that can keep our immune system ticking along nicely. Citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons are teeming with important vitamin C for immune health and maintaining healthy blood and bones, but did you know broccoli, capsicum, even potatoes can contain vitamin C?

Keep in mind, your body will only absorb what it needs of vitamin C, the rest will be disposed of (if you know what I mean). So don’t feel the need to go overboard, and remember that good health is all about the balance.

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Probiotic-rich foods such as kimchi, live-cultured yoghurt and sauerkraut are rich with gut-loving good bacteria that work to fight off excess bad bacteria, keeping you feeling good. Adding miso (fermented soy) into soup to sip on can be an easier probiotic to digest if you’re already on your way to feeling unwell.

We’re loving Nutra Organics Ramen Bone Broth mix. With mineral-rich bone broth, and added red miso, it is umami flavour-galore and great for gut health. Try adding it to hot water with some soy sauce or tamari and minced garlic as a warming health tonic if you feel a cold coming on.

One of the best ways to keep your body happy and healthy is to maintain a winter exercise regimen. Although winter may be the easiest time of year to talk yourself out of a workout – it’s too dark, it’s too cold, etc, the fewer hours of daylight can really put your routine out of sorts. If you can overcome these reasonings, your body, mood and immune system will thank you for it! If your usual outdoor workout isn’t on the cards, opt for an indoor class instead to shake things up. An R&B themed spin class, pilates, or hot yoga will absolutely warm you up.

Let’s say you’re starting to feel a little sluggish, perhaps you feel a cold coming on. It’s important to listen to what your body is signalling to you and you may need to take everything down a notch until you feel better. Manuka Honey is a powerhouse and a great item to have on hand for when you may have an itchy throat – with antibacterial properties and anti-inflammatory effects that may help you feel relief faster. COMVITA Manuka Honey & Lemon lozenges are a family favourite. Try these sweet-tasting lozenges to help soothe sore throats.

Last winter was a humbling one, but we’ve got the chance this year to harness our wellbeing and feel prepared for optimal health. Be sure that once you
have the essentials sorted you remember to check in with yourself for some one-on-one time. Mental health can correlate with how we feel on both the outside and inside, so it’s not to be dismissed. Journaling, dedicated ‘me-time’ and practicing mindfulness (with a cup of Pukka Lemon, Ginger & Manuka Honey tea) is all a part of the wellbeing journey.

Words: Ally McGrath

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