GP Recommends Simple Winter Wellness Tips to Combat Colds and Flu
Dr. Sophie Newton, a GP from West Yorkshire, has shared three simple tips to help individuals avoid or recover faster from winter illnesses like colds, flu, and Covid-19. Her recommendations include breathing through the nose to filter out pathogens, keeping the nose warm to slow down virus multiplication, and using a salt water nasal rinse at the onset of cold symptoms. Dr. Newton explains that keeping the nose warm can give the immune system a better chance to fight off viruses, as some cold viruses multiply faster in cooler temperatures. A salt water nasal rinse helps clear mucus, allergens, and irritants, reducing inflammation and alleviating symptoms such as congestion, cough, and facial pressure. Dr. Samantha Wild of Bupa adds that viral infections are more common in winter due to increased indoor proximity, viruses surviving better in cold, dry environments, and weakened body defenses in colder weather.
