How To Protect Yourself From Coronavirus This Winter

With events overtaking us, give yourself the best chance with these tips....

- Josie Copson

Remember back in March when most of us assumed that coronavirus would have become little more than a memory by the time summer was over? Sadly, the reality is the infection continues to affect almost every aspect of our lives.

Although you may be desperate to get back to your pre-Covid life, it’s vital to stay as healthy as possible, both physically and mentally, and protect yourself and your loved ones this winter.

WHAT SHOULD I BE EATING AND DRINKING?

While there are no miracle foods that will stop the disease in its tracks, there are simple things we can all do. Drinking plenty of water is one of them.

The NHS advises people to get as much vitamin D as possible. But as winter draws on and we spend more time indoors, exposure natural sunlight – our main source of vitamin D – is less likely. Some vitamin D can be found in oily fish, eggs and mushrooms, but taking a supplement is recommended.

When stressed, we may be tempted to reach for the booze, but try to maintain a balanced diet and limit your alcohol intake to 14 units a week.

Viruses are more likely to survive outside the body in colder temperatures. The UK’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) says 4°C is the optimum temperature for coronavirus. One simple thing we can do to help is to use the NHS contact tracing app. Dr Ranj Singh, resident doctor on ITV’s This Morning, says, “I had a sneak preview of the new version and it’s a huge improvement on the initial pilot and very easy to use.”