Winter is becoming my favourite time of year but there are so many pros and cons for me.
Pro – I absolutely LOVE being inside, cosy, pyjamas on, slippers on, dressing gown on, heating on (yes by this point I’m hotter than the sun and that’s how I like it) especially if it’s snowing outside, there isn’t a better feeling for me. Putting my feet up watching films with a hot chocolate, ok mulled wine is what life is about.
Pro – Winter is perfect for someone like me who will do anything physically possible to not leave the house. Home really is where the heart is and its where I like to be most. I’m not saying I don’t like socialising, we have an open door policy and people are in and out all the time but I just like being at home.
Con – Where the negatives come is all the nasty bugs that linger. As someone with Asthma winter isn’t kind to me. I can guarantee if there is a bug going around I will catch it! Last Christmas and new year me and Charlie spent the whole thing in bed, literally 2 weeks. We missed the last Christmas I would have had with my Dad unknowingly which is the hardest pill to swallow. Christmas day we didn’t leave the bed unless it was to puke. We missed one of our close friend’s weddings. We did attempt to celebrate new years eve and barely made it to 12 before having to leave, it was miserable!
This year I am determined to avoid the same fate. I was offered a flu jab but said no which I’m not sure was the wrong or right idea. I’m a big believer in trying to build my immunity but thus far it hasn’t really worked out so maybe I’ll reconsider.
There are some things I was advised to try as deterrents but by this stage, it was too late. This year, however, I will be trying all the deterrents I was advised of last year.
- Turmeric. I had no idea this was such a good natural anti-inflammatory. I’ve had the tablets from Holland and Barret and they are brilliant but I’m sure you can get them in lots of places or try adding a spoon full of turmeric to lemon ginger and honey with hot water.
- Colloidal silver water. Again something id not heard of until last year but there are so many benefits to using this. It’s worth looking into the benefits as it helps to treat so much. It helps to support the body’s immune system so well worth having some in the cupboard for a variety of things.
- I found a list of foods to eat for colds found here. I don’t think its any secret that when you are run down good healthy foods can help to get your body the vitamins and nutrients it needs to recover.
- Whilst I will always try natural remedies first sometimes you just need to hit the hard stuff and there is nothing better for a stuffy nose and a lack of sleep due to coughing all night that a good old bit of night nurse. Yes, it will put you into a semi-coma so my advice would be to take it earlier rather than later as there is a very large possibility you won’t be hearing your alarm!
Con (which can easily be turned into a pro) – Another thing to address is how much pressure we put on ourselves regarding Christmas presents. I don’t think children expect the mountain of presents parents feel as though they have to provide. Surely as parents (I’m pointing out now I’m not a parent so I may be wrong here), you are setting the initial expectation. If you are going to buy 20 presents are they all going to be played with? Are you spending a fortune on toys that are forgotten in 5 minutes? Think about your Christmas’s as a child. Yes it was exciting to get presents, absolutely, but that isn’t the bit that stands out most for me. Being with my family, playing board games together, Christmas dinner, music and everyone being happy and together are what I have the fondest memories of. We were always very aware as children of the value of money and that things were expensive and we couldn’t always have what everyone else could and honestly we didn’t mind because we knew our parents had done what they could for us which is also a great life lesson. It really made us appreciate everything we have. Christmas is mostly about making it magical for the children so focus on them and then maybe consider a secret Santa for the adults. Try making things, if you like to cook make food gifts. If you’re crafty make candles, knit a scarf, make something decorative, Hobbycraft has some amazing ideas.
Pro – Winter comfort food. Pass the carbs to the left-hand side! Where do I start, cottage pie, stew and dumplings, roasted anything, soups. Winter food is 100% my favourite. My slow cooker really feels the love from October to April.
Pro – Winter clothes. Oversized jumpers are life. Not only are they comfy but they hide a multitude of sins. Just loungewear in general is what life is about for me.
Pro – Eating dessert is encouraged. Mince pie anyone? Christmas pudding? Yule log? Literally, people become offended if you don’t eat their homemade treats and I, for one, am not going to argue with them!
Pro – Snow is beautiful.
Con – It snows every year near enough yet the UK comes to a standstill each time it does.
Pro – Christmas films. If you don’t watch Elf annually then we can’t be friends. 
Basically anything about Christmas time for me is a pro, the lights, Christmas Trees, it’s just so pretty.
In summary, it appears the pros outweigh the cons. Bring on everything winter related and make sure you are doing everything in your power to avoid the lurgy xx
A clueless look at life 