Would you like some tips on how to boost your immunity ahead of cold and flu season? If so, read on.
First, it’s a runny nose, then a cough. Before you know it, you’re bedridden with a sore throat, fever, and aches. It’s flu season, and it comes every year without fail. But why does it come during the colder winter months?
Were Our Parents Correct? Can We Boost & Protect Our Immunity By ‘Getting Wrapped Up’?
When your parents said, “get wrapped up, you’re going to catch a cold!”, were they really on to something? It’s no mystery that cold and flu season occurs during the winter months, but the reasoning why that is isn’t so clear. Scientists are just starting to piece together information to figure out why flu gets so bad during the coldest time of the year. There are a few different reasons why.
Sorting The Immune-Boosting Facts From The Myths
Myth: Cold weather causes you to catch the flu.
Fact: Cold weather actually doesn’t make you get sick. You might not feel great after running around in the middle of winter with no jacket on, but it’s not an activity that causes you to get ill with influenza. There is something a little bit more scientific going on.
There is a theory that the influenza virus may survive better in colder, drier climates. When it’s humid outside, water droplets in the air fall to the ground. This is because they’re heavier. When this happens, any viruses or germs surviving in those droplets also fall to the ground.
In winter, however, it’s a lot less humid than summer. Therefore, water droplets in the air can survive longer and prolong the amount of time the virus hangs around.
Spending Too Much Time Indoors
Think about all the time you spend indoors. You’re definitely inside a lot more during winter. In 2020, with the Covid-19 lockdowns and being made to stay indoors for weeks or months on end, our immune systems were badly compromised.
During winter when the weather is cold and we’re snuggled up, we’re more likely to spread germs to one another. You don’t have to get very close to catch things like flu, either. Additionally, we often keep windows and doors shut to keep us warm, but that traps viruses inside as well. That’s why you can catch the flu from someone in your home or office even if you’re staying far away from them – it’s in the air.
The Sunshine Effect
The reason we get flu in winter is because being indoors a lot more usually points to a lack of vitamin D. As you’re probably aware, we get vitamin D and melatonin from the sun, and both of these are key players in our immune systems. In winter months, the sun sets sooner and we are less likely to spend time soaking up its rays, therefore it’s simply easier to get sick. If our bodies don’t have the right tools to fight a virus, we’re heading for trouble.
The Best Way to Beat Flu is to Stop Yourself Catching it in the First Place
Firstly, as we discovered during 2020, washing our hands thoroughly can help halt the transmission of viruses. Stay away from people who appear to be sick if you can, and take some immune support supplements, too.
Alternative Health Therapies Can Also Boost Your Immune System
You can also boost your immune system by using essential oils. Once you’ve done your research, either online, *from books, or speaking to a professional, there are many places you can purchase your oils. Amazon has a large selection from different sellers – this is a link to an Immune Boosting blend which you may like to take a look at.
We’ll be talking lots more about essential oils/aromatherapy in the future, so do keep checking back. Feel free to contact us if you’d like any advice regarding essential oil use.
*Check out our completely free Introduction to Essential Oils, which is a good starting point if you’re new to using oils.
(NB: Please do not take oils internally unless you are sure of the science behind them, as not all can be taken internally. Speak to a qualified practitioner if possible.)
*This post contains affiliate links. For information on how this may affect you, check out our disclaimer page.