How To Boost Your Immunity this winter

Staying healthy this winter is more important than ever. We speak to JSHealth Founder Jessica Sepel and look at holistic ways you can boost your immunity this winter.

Winter can be a problematic time for our health. We’re cold, we’re feeling run down and tired, and to top it all, we’re probably not being as healthy as we should because we’re cold and tired. However Winter is the perfect time to address your body’s ability to fight off illness. JSHealth supplies proven supplements to aid health and wellness. Their new Immune + supplements are designed to support your immune system, giving it an added boost. We take a look at some actionable steps you can take today to help your body fight off winter illnesses and feel better this season.

So why do we get ill in winter?

According to Jessica Sepel, Founder of JS Health, viruses are simply more stable in the cold. So ensuring your immune system is in tip top condition during the winter months will go a long way to keeping colds and flu at bay. ‘Being prone to illness also depends on the host immune response and is based on seasonal factors (temperature, humidity and UV radiation), melatonin and vitamin D levels,’ she told us. We’re also more prone to lower moods during darker months of the year, and if you haven’t taken a holiday or recharged your batteries much throughout the year, you are in for an immune system crash.

How to Boost your immune system

There is no one way to do this and of course the solution is not a one size fits all concept. Our bodies are unique and what works for one person may not work for another. It’s important to pay attention to your body and your mind in order to address the areas that will aid you best. And of course, we highly recommend seeking advice from a health professional before making any lifestyle changes. 

Diet & Gut Health

‘The majority of the immune system is housed in the gut, so this is important to look after,’ Jessica tells us. Consuming less alcohol and processed foods is an important first step. After that, a  good variety of fruits and vegetables as well as fibre and fermented foods are ideal. Greens, Jessica says, are ‘filled with nutrients and antioxidants such as vitamin C, which is a key nutrient when it comes to supporting immune function.’ For a more detailed look at fermented foods, Lorenz Lazic documents her Winter Wellness eating tips. Looking for an added boost? We are fans of Seed’s Daily Synbiotic. The patented formula of naturally occuring pre and probiotics can’t be found in yoghurts or fermented foods. It helps to maintain a healthy gut barrier, as well as supporting a healthy heart, and cellular health. As an added bonus the packaging is thoughtfully sustainable.

A Good Night’s Sleep

Sleep is a key healing function of our bodies that is often forgotten. A good nights sleep will help to alleviate stress as well as physical ailments. But too many of us are trying to skip this easy and lets face it, free health aid. If you have trouble nodding off, then a bedtime ritual is needed. Jessica suggests that you should turn screens off 1-2 hours before bedtime. We already know that blue light is detrimental to our physical and mental wellbeing so non screen time before bed helps to get us ready for rest. Instead, read a book or have a soak in the bath. Organic cotton bed sheets are best for a breathable environment, as are cotton or silk pyjamas. They will help to retain your body temperature so you can feel comfortable all night.

Supplements

So you’ve done all the above but are still feeling a bit dull and under the weather. Adding a supplement to a balanced diet is a great idea, just to make sure all the boxes are being checked. But what should you look for? Echinacea is a well known traditional herbal remedy that has been used for centuries to relieve respiratory tract conditions. A Vogel’s Echinaforce is a firm favourite. Echinacea is a key component of JSHealth’s Immune + supplement, as is andrographis, which is native to South Asian countries. ‘This herb decreases the duration and helps relieve symptoms and severity of common colds and flu, such as cough, throat irritation, nasal congestion, ear irritation, tiredness, weakness and headache duration,’ Jessica told us. Sounds like a win win. Our Founder Lucy has been taking them and agrees that they helped pull her out of a long period of feeling run down.  

Disclaimer: The content of this article is for general advice only and should not be used as a substitute for professional healthcare or beauty advice. We make every effort to ensure we only recommend safe products however you should always do a patch test when trying new products. This post may contain affiliate links.