Brits Spend Half of the Year Feeling Under the Weather

NEWS COPY

The average Brit spends more than half of the year suffering from cold, injury or ailment, new research reveals.

A study into the health and well-being of 2,000 found the average person only feels 100 per cent fit and healthy on 171 days of the year.

Illness, tiredness, hangovers and aches and pains mean most people operate at well below full tilt for more than six months of every year and half of our adult lifetime- equating to a shocking 34 years of feeling under the weather.

It also emerged the typical adult feels 'run down' on two days of the working week and, as we head into the winter months, we’re likely to endure three bouts of cold, four headaches and two sore throats.

The research, commissioned by Tetley Tea found we’ll also be tested over the winter by getting soaked in the rain five times, stepping in four puddles that drench the feet and having four occasions where they’ll be irritated by a person clearing their throat loudly or coughing repeatedly.

And battling winter illness and unfortunate events will see us miss out on six social occasions due to not being up to socialising.

And those lucky enough to avoid illness so far may not have long to wait- according to the data the most likely time to be hit by a cold is in the first two weeks of November

GP and TV presenter, Dr Hilary Jones, worked with Tetley Tea on its “Winter-Proof Yourself” study and is now calling on the nation to take action.

Yesterday, Dr Hilary said: “The degree to which winter impacts negatively on our health and wellbeing is clear. The study found that Brits are three times more likely to say they felt ‘run-down’, tired or fed up over the winter months than they were to feel content with themselves and their health.

“Battling anything from sniffles to headaches can contribute to a sense of feeling run-down regularly, with those rumbling winter grumbles, including reduced daylight, higher heating bills and lost umbrellas, only serving to make things worse.

“Now’s the time to take action and look after yourself that little bit better. Keep hydrated, top up your vitamin levels in line with your body’s needs – and Tetley’s new Super Green and Super Fruit teas are a great way to do this - and stay active. Keep bugs at bay, de-stress and dress carefully for the cold. Little things like this aren’t costly or time consuming, but they can contribute to a greater sense of health and wellbeing this winter.”

In a bid to feel better, Brits spend on average £132 each and take measures such as wrapping up warm and drinking warm drinks to beat the winter blues. However, Brits were twice as likely to reach for chocolate than they were to turn to vitamins, fresh fruit and vegetables when feeling poorly.

Yesterday, Brigid McKevith, nutritionist at Tetley, said: “Although it is tempting to reach for comfort food when the cold sets in, a healthy varied diet is essential at all times of the year. When feeling unwell and fed up, the best thing you can do is stick to a healthy diet and look after yourself.  Make sure you keep up with your vitamin intake.”

But it’s not all doom and gloom with Brits citing Christmas, hot drinks and cosy nights in as the things that make enduring the colder months worthwhile.

While comfort food, winter walks with the family and the possibility of snow also warm the spirits for many.

TAKE ACTION: “WINTER-PROOF YOURSELF” WITH DR HILARY’S 10 POINT PLAN

1)    Vitamin C. Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system and can help prevent colds and flu. So this winter eat foods that are high in vitamin C, such as kale, strawberries, oranges and broccoli.

2)    Keep hydrated. It is just as important to keep hydrated in the winter as it is in the summer. With central heating blasting when we are indoors, the air can get hot and dry, and hydration levels can drop fast. And when outside in the cold for long periods of time, the body’s thirst response can become diminished as the blood vessels constrict to keep the blood and heat in the body’s core.  This fools the body into thinking it is properly hydrated, which means you don’t feel as thirsty as you should. So keeping fluid intake high is important whether you are indoors in the warm or outdoors in the cold.

3)    Exercise. So much more natural than a Doctor’s prescription and without any side-effects. But when the cold sets in we may not feel so keen on that walk, run or cycle. Keep your exercise regimes going by visiting the gym, going swimming – and investing in some waterproof running gear if necessary. That way you can walk to work rather than taking the car if you choose, which is a great way to stay in shape.

4)    Vitamin B6. This vitamin assists in forming haemoglobin – the substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen around the body and helps with the reduction of tiredness. To combat winter fatigue, eat plenty of vitamin B6 rich foods like chicken, vegetables, brown rice and eggs.

5)    Keep your head warm. Research has shown that cold noses really do lower our immune systems. So pull up those scarves and keep your nose toasty when out in the cold.

6)    Vitamin D. This is the sunshine vitamin and is needed to keep our bones and teeth healthy. It is also said to have an effect on mood. Deficiency is common and so is seasonable affective disorder (SAD), or winter blues, which studies suggest that up to 15% of us suffer from. Unfortunately your body can’t make vitamin D from sunlight during the winter months, but you can eat oily fish and eggs, which are naturally rich in vitamin D, or fortified breakfast cereals with added vitamin D.

7)    De-stress. Stress hormones trigger anti-immune reactions. Winter can be a hectic time with many social events to arrange and attend. Make sure you take time out to relax to keep stress levels at bay. Mindfulness meditation is helpful for some people, as is exercise.

8)    Keep bugs at bay. Use antibacterial hand wash and put used tissues in the bin. These two small measures make a big difference when it comes to fighting the spread of germs.

9)    Dress carefully. Plan your winter wardrobe – instead of heavy chunky garments opt for layers, which trap hot air. You can them remove layers as needed, making it easier to regulate your temperature.

10)    Be positive. Looking on the bright side can be good for your health, as research suggests that positive people get fewer colds. Try writing a gratitude diary on a daily basis, so you can identify and appreciate the things that are going right for you.