We're in the throes of winter now and I personally can't afford to get sick because if I do get sick, it takes me a lot longer to recover.

These would be my reference tips to help us to stay healthy this winter and avoid getting sick:

Stay away from people who are sick

This may seem obvious but it is really important to avoid close contact with anyone who seems under-the-weather as most illnesses are contagious and can easily be passed on.

Remember to eat healthily

How well we eat has a huge effect on whether we have the resistance necessary to protect us from germs, bugs and illness. It is especially important to try to eat a balanced diet with plenty of whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables and low fat proteins.

Drink plenty of fluids

Drinking enough water daily is essential to staying healthy. We should all be aiming to drink between 6 - 8 glasses of water. Perhaps add fresh lemon to make is taste nicer and include some Vitamin C too.

Always remember to wash your hands

Since most germs are picked up through our hands, we must remember to keep our hands relatively clean. A few germs are fine of course, but too many germs can make us sick. As bacteria and viruses live on surfaces for up to 8 hours, keeping your hands clean helps protects from catching germs.

Think about taking supplements

Nutritional supplements can help us to stay well, when combined with a healthy diet. Basic daily multi-vitamins and antioxidants like A, C, E and selenium, plus vitamin D, enzymes and probiotics can all help us avoid getting sick. Echinacea can be taken in the winter months, but try to avoid taking Echinacea long term. Two weeks on and then two weeks off should work in the winter months should work.

Try to take daily exercise

Staying active daily by exercising helps reduce stress, fatigue and improves our immunity. However when we’re feeling under the weather, we must remember to take rest so that our immune system can fight off infection.

Try to stick to a good sleep routine

Whilst the body is effective at defending us from bug and germs, we also need quality sleep to help us restore our energy. This is especially true if we’re fighting off, or we're already sick.

Don’t consume too much alcohol

We should try to moderate how much alcohol we consume, even more so when we're unwell, as according to research alcohol can weaken our immune system for up to 24 hours.

I always try to stick to the same usual routine. That way I don’t forget to take or do anything and manage to avoid sickness. I believe it takes longer for us to get ourselves well again, than it does for us to look after ourselves, so it really is worth the extra effort.