Staying Well Through the Seasons: A Pharmacist's Guide

Each season asks something different of the body. Summer brings sun exposure and dehydration; autumn and winter bring colds, flu and short, dark days that leave many people feeling run down.

Start with food. A varied diet with plenty of vegetables, berries and oily fish gives your immune system most of what it needs. Between October and March the NHS advises everyone in the UK to consider a daily 10 microgram vitamin D supplement, because winter sunlight this far north is too weak for your skin to make enough.

Sleep and stress matter too. Most adults need 7 to 9 hours, and long stretches of poor sleep leave you more open to infection. You don't need an elaborate routine; a regular bedtime and a daily walk outside will do more than any supplement stack.

Vaccination is still the most effective seasonal protection there is. We run NHS and private flu clinics every autumn, and our team can advise on COVID-19 boosters and travel vaccinations at any time of year.

If you're not sure where to start, ask us. Advice from our pharmacists is free and confidential, you don't need an appointment, and we can take account of any medicines you already take.