Weathering the Cold and Flu Season

It doesn't matter where you live in Australia - from hot and steamy Darwin to breathtakingly cold Hobart , it's almost impossible to escape catching a cold or flu during the winter months. The old saying, "prevention is better than the cure" is paramount to everything we do in life. So here are a few tips on staying healthy when everyone around you is succumbing to the dreaded lurgy!

The bottom line is that the cold is simply a viral illness. It generally hits us when we're not looking after ourselves and our immune system is not functioning at its optimum. Therefore, the best preventative medicine for the cold and any other virus is quite simple - eat well, get plenty of rest and exercise regularly. Sounds simple, but for many Australians who pack their lives so full, these things are more often the exception rather than the rule. The cure for the cold is also simple - stay in bed, keep warm and drink plenty of fluids. There are hundreds of drugs that can reduce our suffering, but if we listen to our Mothers' advice and just rest, we can probably save ourselves a lot of money and recover more quickly!

So go back to the prevention. If you don't have a healthy lifestyle and it's "all too hard", you could consider taking supplements to make up for the vitamins and minerals lacking in your diet. As winter approaches, start building up your immune system with supplements such as Vitamin C, Zinc, Echinacea and Garlic. Be aware that even natural remedies may affect any prescription drugs you might be taking. So before you start taking something new, check first with a professional (a naturopath or your doctor).

There are lots of other options available ranging from a flu shot through to homoeopathy. But if all else fails and you find yourself with the sniffles and feeling miserable on a cold, rainy day, think of yourself first, call the office and crawl back into bed. It may not be an easy decision to make, but everyone else will thank you for keeping your bug to yourself!

Manchester Unity and Police Credit Union can provide Health Insurance for Members and their families. The PCU Health Plan offers Members a comprehensive choice of Hospital and Extras cover at discounted rates to suit all budget and lifestage.

For more details call 1800 007 654 or email pcu@manchesterunity.com.au