When the temperature drops, flu season rolls around. But avoiding the seasonal sniffles doesn’t have to cost a fortune. With a few smart lifestyle choices and a little forward planning, you can keep your body strong, your finances steady, and your family protected. Here’s how to stay well this season without breaking the bank.

Get Your Flu Shot

One of the simplest ways to avoid getting seriously ill in winter is to get a flu vaccine. It’s affordable, widely available at clinics and pharmacies and often covered in full by your medical aid. A quick jab now can save you weeks of discomfort and even more in lost income if you end up too sick to work.

Support Your Immune System

While no vitamin can guarantee you won’t get sick, certain vitamins and minerals are proven to help improve your immune system and the most cost-effective trio is vitamin C, vitamin D and zinc. Evidence shows that getting enough vitamin C may reduce the severity of colds; vitamin D can reduce the severity of respiratory tract infections (especially if you’re deficient) and zinc helps your immune cells to function at their best.

Pile Your Plate With Nutrients
 
Warm, nourishing meals aren’t just comforting, they can be an important part of winter wellness if you choose foods that are good sources of immune-boosting nutrients – these include garlic, ginger, spinach, lentils and citrus.

Garlic has anti-viral properties; ginger is a great anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant; spinach and citrus fruits both contain vitamin C and lentils are packed with zinc. Even on a tight budget, a homemade vegetable soup or lentil curry can give your body the nutrients it needs to fight off illness.

Get Moving, Stay Healthy

Exercise doesn’t need to mean expensive gym contracts. A brisk daily walk or a free online workout performed in your warm, cosy lounge can go a long way in keeping you healthy. Studies show that regular exercise, as little as 30 to 60 minutes a day, five days per week, will help lower stress, improve sleep quality, reduce inflammation, boost your circulation and go a long way to support your immune system.

Don’t Forget Financial Protection

While you’re taking steps to protect your health, it’s also a good time to think about protecting your future. Life insurance is one of the most valuable financial safety nets you can have, especially in uncertain times. It ensures your loved ones are financially supported if something unexpected happens to you.

There’s another benefit to all those healthy habits - they can actually save you money on life insurance. When you apply for cover at MiWayLife, we’ll take your BMI (body mass index) into account. A healthy BMI can result in lower premiums, giving you one more reason to keep up those immune-boosting walks and wholesome meals.

Not sure what your BMI is? Use our handy online calculator!

The Bottom Line

Winter wellness is about more than avoiding colds and flu, it’s about protecting your body, your wallet, and your peace of mind. A few small steps can make a big difference. So get your flu shot, load your plate with healthy food, keep moving, and remember to include life insurance in your winter wellness plan.

Why not get a quick quote today from MiWayLife?

Did you know:

You can now take out life cover with us online in a few simple steps. No calls and no agents! Make sure to take care of those you love today by buying MiWayLife cover online.