Small steps I can take to improve general health?

[Pantspangles]

I keep catching bugs- nothing sinister, but every contagious cough, cold, tummy upset, rash etc that’s going round. I feel like I have been ill on repeat since August 2023.

I’m not great at prioritising my own health and well-being (single parent, 3 dc, full time job) but the time has come where I need to do something. But I really struggle with long projects that need to be broken down into littler chunks. What are small repeated actions I can add into my (very time-constrained) week that will help? My mind has drawn a blank 😂

Cut out processed sugar. Personally I can’t even have it in the house, otherwise I will eat it. Appreciate with children it might be difficult to go cold turkey!

Multivitamin or immunity shot first thing when you wake up in the morning. I have my vitamin laid out next to my water bottle.

These are simple quick steps that you could start tomorrow. I have a long list of more suggestions but like you say, that might be overwhelming! 😅

I used to catch every cold going when I was younger. Then my wife talked me into taking the juice of half a lemon every morning. We, both, have the juice of half a fresh lemon in a pint of warm water EVERY day. The number of colds I get these days is way below what it used to be. We have been doing this for over 20 years.

Basically it is a vitamin C shot so you could take a supplement but I think the warm water helps rehydration first thing in the morning.

This vitamin c effervescent tablets in water. I swear by them. Loads of other vitamins too, but these are my constant.

I’m afraid the only way is to stop hanging out with primary school aged children😂
We were ill constantly during the nursery/primary years, it gets better as they get older OP!

Get more sleep.

I actually used to get colds all the bloody time but not any more - this is what works for me. Perhaps you could try adding them one week at a time?

• good sleep hygiene and get lots of sleep
• wide variety of veg seeds fruit and fermented foods
• less ultra processed foods
• lots of water
• vit d tongue spray
• exercise at least 3x per week
• keep warm! I seem to get ill when I'm physically cold, so electric blanket in bed, thermal layers and real wool socks and jumpers. I'm never in a situation where I'm cold.
• good hand hygiene

Sleep.
Hydrate.
Sleep.
Hydrate.

Am suffering with similar illnesses for ages - maybe worth going to the GP for a check up/blood test just to rule anything out.
Lots of good suggestions above too!

Basically what @Bearpawk said!
put your vitamins by your toothbrush so you take them when you clean your teeth in a morning. A good multivitamin and extra vitamin D at this time of year.
plan your meals and make sure you including plenty of fruit and veg.
carry a water bottle round and sip regularly.
be strict about bed times and devices in the bedroom (phones and iPads not kinky stuff!)
get some fresh air daily and walk wherever you can

Zinc. I worked in elite sport for years and it was the one thing our Doc really encouraged our athletes to take.

Good hand hygiene for everyone in the house. Vitamin c and d supplements. Make small diet changes to reduce ultra processed food, gut health is key to immunity. Fresh air, get your windows open and get outside

Take more exercise. Find a journey you can walk instead of drive, even if it’s short and make it a habit ‘we always walk to nans’ or wherever. Take the stairs not the lift.

Get some good quality vitamin supplements. Not a cheapo multivitamin from savers or something like that - they're not much good. Get some good quality ones. Perhaps a separate vitamin D supplement - almost everyone is vitamin D deficient in winter (unless you live in a sunny climate)

A really important thing to do to improve your health and is quite eas is to drink more water.
Also, try and do your 10000 steps a day, buy a fitness tracker, you can get them for about 20 quid in argos.
Finally, taking a good dose of magnesium everyday has really helped me a lot and helps me to sleep better. Make sure you get a high enough strength one.

Some great ideas here, thank you!

I need to lose a bit of weight too and hopefully that will help.