Bug BUSTERS

These lifestyle tips will help keep winter's woes at bay

Zero in on supplements

Pop a pill and supplement your diet with a quality daily multi-vitamin. Immune-strengthening superstars include zinc, echinacea, plus vitamins C, D and E. Head to your local pharmacy to explore the options available there are products to suit almost every taste, dietary requirement and budget.

Sanitise your cell

Regularly clean your phone with a disinfectant wipe and a lint-free cloth. Studies have shown cellphones carry around 10 times more bacteria than most toilet seats, including serious pathogens such as streptococcus, MRSA and E.coli. Which brings us to our next point...

Get a good night's sleep

Our immune system is good at fighting off viruses, but research shows if we are sleep deprived or stressed, it can't work at full capacity, meaning you're more likely to catch a cold or flu. Seven or eight hours of quality kip a night is usually recommended.

Get a flu shot

Having a vaccination that targets the current strains of flu will not only reduce your chances of getting ill, but it will also mean you're less likely to pass it on to more vulnerable people, such as babies, the elderly or those with a medical condition, who are more likely to have serious complications if they contract the flu.

Keep moving

When the weather is cold and miserable, often the last thing we feel like doing is exercising. But being physically active pays dividends when it comes to staying healthy. Aerobic exercise not only supports your overall health, but research shows regular workouts can improve your immune response, lower illness risk and reduce inflammation.

Hit the H20