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With
all the coughs, flu and chest
viruses
that have affected people all
over the country this winter,
you may not have started the New
Year as healthily as you would
have liked.
The flu virus has been particularly
widespread this year and has been
a particularly persistent variety,
with people experiencing symptoms
for longer than usual and recurring
attacks, leaving many people with
a nagging cough or just feeling
low in general.
Unfortunately a nasty gastric
virus has struck at the same time,
especially in children, and many
peoples festive period has been
spoiled. On a more positive note
there are signs that the worst
is possibly over and outbreaks
are fewer and slightly less severe.
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If
you have been affected though, don't be
in too much of a hurry to rush to join
the gym or take up running etc as we often
underestimate how long the body needs
to fully recover from illness. You may
find that you still feel slightly weaker
or not 100% for several weeks after a
flu or chest infection. Certainly don't
put your body under any further stress
whilst your cough persists - have patience
and concentrate on eating healthily, keeping
warm and getting enough rest until you
feel completely fit.
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You
may feel you want to take a vitamin
supplement, especially if your appetite
has been affected, or try to increase
your intake of fresh fruit to help
boost your vitamin levels.
Getting enough good quality sleep
is also a problem if symptoms have
been keeping you awake, so whilst
you're on the mend, try to catch
up on your rest by going to bed
a little earlier. The body does
most of its repair work during sleeping
hours so try to get as much as you
can.
And do get as much fluid into the
body as you can - illness and medication
can leave us dehydrated, drinking
plenty will help the body to flush
out toxins, fresh orange and other
juices will also help with Vitamin
C levels.
All in all, have patience and delay
those New Years Resolutions until
you feel up to it - the gym, exercise
bike and |
slimming club will
all still be there once you get better!
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Most
of us consider taking care of our
skin
as part of a beauty regime but at
this time of year skin can be under
so much pressure from adverse weather
conditions that taking care of it
is essential.
In the current climate leaving the
house without a protective layer
of moisture to the exposed parts
exposes the skin to really harsh
drying conditions that can cause
the skin to crack and split.
Those tiny splits can then become
infected and really turn sore and
nasty especially when exposed to
further rough weather. Lips are
especially vulnerable in this weather
as the skin is fairly thin and prone
to cracking and peeling which can
end up particularly sore and nasty.
Always wear a protective layer around
the lips before venturing out and
take care with children's lips at
this time as they can be particularly
susceptible to parched lips. |
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Coarse,
dry cuticles can also be a problem
in winter, again causing quite painful
splitting, so a good barrier cream
and gloves are essential. |
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