Beat spring colds and allergies with these easy steps

Falling ill just as the weather starts to improve seems totally unfair, but just because it’s warmer doesn’t mean your immune system won't fall victim to seasonal bugs flying around.

If anything, staying healthy in springtime requires some added care and attention so follow our top tips to stay fever-free.

Don’t take risks

The cold weather in winter serves as a constant reminder to stay healthy, making us very conscious of our health and diet during the typical flu season.

[Related: Spring clean your health]

Statistically, you’re more likely to fall ill during winter and once you have you’ll be sure to do everything you can to avoid it happening again. But when the weather improves we feel a little more invincible and often don't take as many precautions as we otherwise would – maybe forgetting to eat our five-a-day or take as many supplements as we should.

There are still plenty of bugs floating around from the winter and many people with the tail end of illnesses will still be infectious, so you should be as vigilant about your health as you were in the winter.

Bugs like warmer weather

In fact, bacteria and viruses thrive in the warmer weather and fester longer on communal items such as handrails and doorknobs. 

Though our immune systems gets a boost from the warmth - not to mention a much-needed dose of vitamin D - it does mean you should still be avoiding touching anything many other hands have already been on.

Keep a bottle of antibacterial hand gel on you so you can disinfect your hands after travelling on public transport.

[Related: Hay fever puts Brits off their partners]

Heating turns to air-conditioning

If you work in an office, it’s likely you are always breathing air that‘s conditioned in some way, be it by heating or air con. While this might make us a bit more comfortable, it also means that germs breathed by your co-workers are spread faster around the office through the ventilation system.

If you haven’t been taking it, try adding a dose of Echinacea drops to water or hot drinks three times a day for six to eight weeks to help your body get through the change of seasons.

Sort out your allergies

Colds and mild viruses can bother allergy sufferers more as your nasal passages and eyes are often already inflamed by hay fever and pollen reactions. Get your spring allergies under control as much as you can with medication if necessary – try our guide to hay fever and other spring nasties to help you out.

Holidays

You wouldn’t expect to get ill from a break but air travel, unusual foods and a change in routine are sometimes all that’s needed for bugs to strike.

Be careful on holiday and pay attention to general rules for the area you’re headed. Watch what you eat and remember to wash your hands regularly. Use an antibacterial gel to disinfect your hands, particularly if the water isn’t safe to drink.

Keep hydrated on flights so your nasal passages don’t dry out, allowing bugs from the hundreds of fellow plane-passengers to infiltrate your defenses.

Also try to use the holiday for sleep and sunshine - not partying. Sleep is essential to keeping you healthy and if you’ve been working hard a holiday can be the perfect excuse to catch up and give your immune system a boost.  It’s also great to give yourself a dose of vitamin D, which has been lacking over the summer months.

Don’t risk burning but do give yourself a few minutes in the sun each day without sun cream to allow the sunshine vitamin to make its way into your body.

If you do want to party, drink plenty of water during the day, make the most of any exotic fruits on the breakfast table and try to ensure you get a lie in if it was a late night – so no 5am excursion starts!