Health tips

[NoIDontWatchLoveIsland]

I have 7mo DD & 3yo DS so should note, I am a bit sleep deprived. DS is a great sleeper, DD average, not awful for her age.

BUT

I keep getting ill. All the time. I seem to pick up everything off everyone else's children, when their own parents seem unaffected. Tonsilitis, terrible chest infections, the worst vomitting bug of my life, constant heavy head colds. I'm so completely worn out by it.

Has anyone got any tips on how I can improve my own health? I'm taking some vitamins and eat a reasonable (not perfect) diet. I drink very little as bf DD.

I'm taking some vitamins Try taking "complete vitamins and minerals" type formulation.

I don't think this is practical for you, but when I was swimming a mile once a week, it cleared my chest wonderfully and I had no coughs for about the three years when I was doing it.

Have a look at your mental health - do anything you can to reduce stress. Bodies are very good at throwing a whole set of physical illnesses at their owner in an attempt to get them to slow down and sort their life out. (OK, it's the immune system being less efficient when stressed, but it does feel like the body saying "OK, will you stop now? ...How about this then? Will you stop NOW?")

Following along as in a similar boat OP. Up until I had the DC I'd always had a stelllar immune system. It's really wearing me down.

Firstly you should go to your gp and get blood tests done. It can be vit D, or not. It can be few things.
Secondly. Sleep... I know. I know. But when I used to sleep badly I got ill so easily.

Sambucol. Taking it a while, seems to really have reduced the frequency and duration of colds/ sickness for me and my kids.

Thanks all.
Meredint & bodies - I feel like I'm trapped in a vicious cycle - being poorly impacts my sleep, so I get more poorly etc. Eg last night so congested was breathing through mouth, got such a dry mouth/ thirsty and woke up constantly needing to drink.

Will try the sambucol when I can get it, looks totally sold out, presumably due to covid

Ps the swimming thing I would agree with. I used to swim a mile with my friend every week in my 20s and my health was better then despite long hours in a stressful job and far more "living hard", poorer diet sex

Must get back to that

I think you should look at the main factors that affect immunity. Basic ones include iron and zinc. Eat a little good quality red meat for these. Vitamin D is absolutely key in helping to prevent respiratory illness. A good supplement is needed as there is not enough in most multivitamins. I take 4000 IU all winter which is quite high but I stop in April. If you haven’t then start now and don’t stop in April.

As I’m sure you know, much of the immune system starts in the gut and you don’t need expensive probiotics. Plenty vegetables and especially ones like garlic and onion and leek. Whizz then in soup if the kids don’t eat them.

Enough protein but not too much. A fist size at each meal. And sugar depletes the immune system. Avoid.

I take some vit D in winter but will find a higher dose, thanks. We eat a good range of protein.

I will look at what contains zinc, no idea if I'm getting that.