How do you keep your immunity up over Winter? - Bridge to 10K

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How do you keep your immunity up over Winter?

ju-ju- profile imageju-ju-Graduate10149 Voters

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43 Replies

I hadn't thought of this but will check out the responses on here!

mixindave profile image
mixindaveGraduate10

first time running in the cold ☺️

mrrun profile image
mrrunGraduate10

The usual, really. Sleep & eat well, don't smoke, drink in moderation, avoid the humans (they carry the virus), and pray that you come out the other side injury and flu free.

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate10 in reply to mrrun

I like that-especially the bit about the humans!!!

in reply to ju-ju-

I like that bit too! But as I live with three Petri dishes full of viral loading (kids) and work in a hospital of sick people, I have no hope 😷

Maddee_6333 profile image
Maddee_6333Graduate10

I don’t give it much thought, to be honest. I have 2 small grandchildren that I provide childcare for, so don’t expect to remain germ free.

GoogleMe profile image
GoogleMeGraduate10 in reply to Maddee_6333

I think not fussing or overthinking is a good strategy. Young children are indeed hazardous!

GoogleMe profile image
GoogleMeGraduate10

Getting outside

GoogleMe profile image
GoogleMeGraduate10 in reply to GoogleMe

Handwashing is also a good one.

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate10 in reply to GoogleMe

I should have included that- sorry! I am a huge believer in fresh air!!

Millsie-J profile image
Millsie-J

Get your flu jab. If you are not entitled to a free NHS one your local large pharmacy will offer them for around £12.99. It protects not just you but also those around you.

No I dont work for a pharmaceutical company 🤣

GoogleMe profile image
GoogleMeGraduate10 in reply to Millsie-J

Good suggestion!

Tough call for me individually - offered for the first time due to registering as a carer (although arguably eligible before) but in my case risks in having it too (per patient organisation and personal history... each vaccination as an adult has involved a step down in health and long periods off work, Hep B jab correlated with the end of my NHS career (ironic!)

I very rarely actually get flu-like illnesses due to weird immune system - and the individual I am officially carer for doesn't either. It is actually the running that would most influence me to have the jab as flu has such a very long impact on my running even when I am back to it.

Millsie-J profile image
Millsie-J in reply to GoogleMe

Oh difficult call. But the flu jab is not a live vaccine, so you may well (should) be ok.

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10 in reply to Millsie-J

I'm toying with this at the minute Jacs. I'm not entitled to get a free flu jab but last winter I had a horrendous virus which knocked me back for ages. Just don't like the idea of putting stuff in my system when, at the minute, I'm fit and healthy. Decisions decisions 😕

willing2improve profile image
willing2improve

Good hand washing!

danzargo profile image
danzargo

Fruit and veg folks. Vegetables are cheap. Buy a load of them, chuck 'em in a pan with a pint of stock and boil until soft. Then whizz the crap out of them to make a cheap and healthy soup!!! (Eat with fresh crusty bread....Yummmm!!)

MarkyD profile image
MarkyDGraduate10 in reply to danzargo

Are you new here?? ;-)

mrrun profile image
mrrunGraduate10 in reply to MarkyD

Nope. Dan's been around for years.

MarkyD profile image
MarkyDGraduate10 in reply to mrrun

I'd say that danzargo is an absent friend & I miss his inspirational posts.

Slowstart profile image
SlowstartGraduate10

Wrap up, get outside in the fresh air and sweat out all the nasties. Remember to take tissues as the cold always makes my nose run.

in reply to Slowstart

Mine too. It's a better runner than I am :)

pinkietee profile image
pinkietee

Live in Spain, I am exceptionally lucky.

Millsie-J profile image
Millsie-J in reply to pinkietee

Spanish flu..... its out there, it travels the world.

pinkietee profile image
pinkietee in reply to Millsie-J

It ain't got me yet!

Millsie-J profile image
Millsie-J in reply to pinkietee

Fingers crossed it stays that way. 👍🏼

mrrun profile image
mrrunGraduate10 in reply to pinkietee

Oh, come on. Spain is not a flu free haven ;) I go around and can confirm that warmer countries (Med & Adriatic) get it as much as us in sarf london :)

Millsie-J profile image
Millsie-J in reply to mrrun

Thats because we all travel, and the bugs travel with us , simples🤔

mrrun profile image
mrrunGraduate10 in reply to Millsie-J

Of course, no safety anywhere.

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10

As mrrun says I stay away from humans as much as possible 😏 and become anti-social and don't go out as much - I still run though 🙂 - and when I do I stick vaseline up my nose (apparently it prevents the baddies from getting into your system) and I wash my hands a lot. Cripes when I see this in print I sound weird 😭

I'm probably bordering on OCD and was never like this before running but I'm a bit paranoid about getting ill just because I wouldn't be able to run. I wasn't able to run for a couple of months last winter because of some yucky virus thing I took and it was so hard.

I love the winter and am outside in all weathers, but obviously not with humans 😕

mrrun profile image
mrrunGraduate10 in reply to Irishprincess

As crazy as it sounds, when l smoked and drank chilled beer in winter months, l was as healthy as a chirpy gazelle. All that stuff killed the germs (ok, ok, it kills other stuff too).

The second l went 'healthy' l sneezed....

Tomas profile image
TomasGraduate10

I would hibernate if I could. Probably wouldn't do my running much good, but it would be sooooo lovely!

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate10

Loadsa Fruit and veg then you don't need to gobble expensive supplements. Real grub is what the doctor ordered Healthy stuff obviously Seasonal fruit and veg is cheap 😃👍

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate10

My old man works in hospitals, lots of them, and he seems immune to any bugs, super or otherwise He bought home one of those nasty vomiting bugs Which i caught but he was fine 🙂I was so poorly though. Grrrr

martinhermanus profile image
martinhermanus

Raw garlic cut into very small pieces and swallowed. Vitamin C ... do something immediately not just now immediately and you don't get sick.

Millsie-J profile image
Millsie-J in reply to martinhermanus

Well that garlic will keep you safe, no one will come near you so you wont pick up bugs teehee!

Mike1942 profile image
Mike1942Graduate10 in reply to Millsie-J

Agree with you on the garlic Millise it's also good for maintaining relationships too.

Theziggy profile image
Theziggy

Get the flu jab - they are predicting a rather nasty flu this year

Millsie-J profile image
Millsie-J in reply to Theziggy

And dont forget it takes 14 days to be fully active in the body 👍🏼

I had a flu jab at Tesco, for £8. I think Asda are cheapest this year, but Tesco suited me fine as I just walked in and had a flu jab with no waiting and no need to pre-book.

Jonesycat profile image
JonesycatGraduate10

I started taking a daily probiotic about 3 weeks ago to hopefully help with some minor tummy issues. They are supposed to boost your immune system as well, I think. Interestingly, the old fella has had a pretty bad cold for the last week or so, but so far I'm completely unscathed... (Touch wood - I've got my first 10k race on Sunday!) Don't know if it's down to the probiotics or not as I generally have a decent diet/sleep anyway, but I'll keep taking them for the foreseeable.

Lordi profile image
LordiGraduate10

I always have annual flu jab early Nov, the 4 virus type. Never have any probs, maybe mild cold sometimes, but that's all. I live in Helsinki using underground, buses, trams and train. Very cold weather prob helps reduce airborne transmission though to some degree.

Bazza1234 profile image
Bazza1234Graduate10

Hand washing!!! As an experienced cruise ship traveler, I have learned the value of washing hands regularly - and especially before eating!!! WASHING WITH SOAP! - not using those hand sanitizers. Most of what we catch are viruses, not bacteria. Make sure you wash your hands well when returning home from anywhere there has been people.

martinhermanus profile image
martinhermanus

The moment I feel a scratch in my throat or feel lack luster I 1) eat raw garlic 2) 1 000 mg vitamin C 3) extra rest. This only happens every few months. I eat three to four cloves of fresh garlic a week. Sprouts are great for nutrients. Much of the suppliments are not absorbed by our systems. Better to eat healthy and only sometimes in emergencies top up with chemicals.