{ Winter Colds }

As we head into winter, we’ll increasingly encounter that familiar mix of more circulating viruses, cold weather, and spending more time indoors, all of which can contribute to an increased likelihood of picking up something unpleasant. Colds, RSV, influenza, and Covid-19 are all in the air, with the latter sometimes leaving us with lowered immunity for extended periods, making us more likely to pick up the other viruses (and have worse and longer symptoms than usual).

Following is a 2-part discussion of ways to help deal with this tricky time:

1. Prevention

It’s always better to dodge an illness than to fight through it. There are many things you can do before even encountering a pathogen:

• Immunity is a result of many of the body’s systems working well. Getting good sleep (quantity and quality) is vital, as is getting a healthy diet composed primarily of well-cooked, nourishing foods (winter is not the time for salads and dairy)

• Stress is a big drain on some of our key organ systems. If the body feels under attack, it won’t prioritise immunity (or digestion, sleep, muscle health, etc), and so we are more likely to catch whatever’s going around (which only adds to our stress!). Wherever possible minimise your exposure to stressful, situations, people and information.

• Get regular, but gentle, exercise. In winter, the nature of the energy around and within us is withdrawn and stored. To work against this by exercising to exhaustion will deplete your reserves, and sweating heavily will open up your pores to circulating pathogens. On the other hand, doing some yoga, walking, swimming or tai chi (for example), will keep your energy circulating near the surface without any negative side-effects.

• Prevention in the more immediate sense includes all the precautions we took during lockdowns (but now seem to have forgotten), such as avoiding large crowds, ensuring good air circulation, washing hands regularly, and wearing masks (especially on public transport). Some vitamin supplements can also be of assistance (Vitamin C & D, Quercetin, etc).

• Getting regular maintenance treatments from your Chinese Medicine practitioner can help build your immunity naturally, and prepare you for exposure to winter’s ailments

2. Treatment

• At the first sign of infection (this may be muscle pains, headache, chills and/or fever, sore throat), try to flush out the pathogen by staying warm, even to the point of sweating. A tea made with ginger and spring onions can assist, as can a hot shower.

• Get treatment as soon as possible. A good Chinese Medicine practitioner can perform acupuncture to help with symptoms, and prescribe herbal medicine to assist with ejecting pathogens (let them know in advance what you’re dealing with, so they can be sure to have the right materials on hand).

• While ill, try to feed the body plenty of warm liquids, and for foods, stick with well-cooked, bland, easy-to digest foods. Many Chinese people instinctively consume congee, a rice-based soup, when unwell, as it’s very easy to absorb and can be modified to the individual’s tastes and symptoms (if you’re feeling especially cold, and extra ginger, spring onions and pepper. If fatigue is dominant, try a sweeter version with red dates and brown sugar, stewed fruits or honey)

• Don’t force yourself to go back to work too soon (especially out of guilt or managerial pressure). This only increases the likelihood of spreading the illness around, and extending your own illness, by depleting your already low reserves. Allow yourself time to fully recover and everyone will be better off in the long term.

In summary: preparation, moderation and conservation are the unspectacular yet helpful key principles to help you stay well, and to bounce back better if you do catch a lurgy this Winter.