FIVE WAYS TO SUPPORT YOUR IMMUNE HEALTH 

GQ Jordan, Naturopathic Nutritionist in training | @HealthGQ

As we cosy up this year to combat the cooler days and longer nights, we all need some extra support to keep our health on track. GQ is our resident wellness contributor and a naturopathic nutritionist in training, she shares her top tips to help us support our immune health and stay well all year round.

Nourish | Deliciously warming soups, stews and casseroles contain seasonal vegetables making them a great way to ensure you consume a wide range of nutrients. Adding spices to meals ensures you get important minerals such as iron, magnesium and calcium and spices like turmeric also contain anti-inflammatory compounds which will help boost your immune system, setting you up right to battle off any colds or flu.



Sleep | Prioritising getting good quality, restful sleep should be top of the resolutions list every year. Sleep helps manage cortisol production (the stress hormone), and allows the immune system to rest, repair, and produce helper T-cells (so you’re ready to fight off possible infection). Insight Tracker is a great app to help me wind down at night with guided meditations.

Hydrate | It may seem counterintuitive, but we’re more likely to be dehydrated in the cooler months than in the warmer months.  Aim to get at least 2 litres or 6-8 glasses of water a day and remember herbal teas, (non-caffeinated) like chamomile and peppermint count towards your daily hydration goal so go and pop the kettle on. 

Move | It might be tempting to forgo your usual post-work workout for an evening curled up on the sofa, but if you want to stay well, you need to stay active – whatever the weather. If you know the dark mornings and evenings are going to hamper your usual workout regime, switch things up and try exercising at home instead or make the most of lunchtimes to fit in some exercise.

Up your Vitamin D | During the summer, most people get their daily recommended dose of vitamin D from sun exposure. But with sparse daylight in the winter months and fewer reasons to venture out, it becomes difficult to get your fill. It can be difficult to get adequate amounts from diet alone so you may want to consider a supplement.