While outdoor winter activities are a lot of fun, the colder months are often the time when our immune systems are becoming more prevalent with a hit of coughs, colds and flu. Thankfully, natural steps can be taken to avoid winter disease and increase your chances of staying healthy, strong and fit.

Try new family activities

Don't use the cold winter months as an excuse for staying in and lounging around. Instead, seek out a new activity with the whole family–maybe ice skating, or taking a bracing winter walk on the beach or through the woods. Regular exercise helps to control your weight, improve your immune system, and is a great way to break the stress that can develop if the household is constantly co-opted.

Having a hearty breakfast

Winter is the ideal porridge season. It's not just a delicious way to start your day eating a warm bowlful on a cold morning, it also helps boost your starchy food and fiber intake. These foods give you energy and help you feel fuller for longer, putting an end to the mid-morning snack temptation. There are also lots of vital vitamins and minerals in oats.

Make your porridge with semi-skimmed, 1% or skimmed milk, or water, without adding sugar or salt. Add a sliced banana, berries or other fruit to add extra flavor and help you reach your target of 5 A day

Banish winter tiredness

In winter, most people feel tired and sluggish. This is due to the lack of daylight that interferes with our periods of sleep and waking.

Try these tips:

• get a good night's sleep outdoors as much as possible
• go to bed and wake up with exercise or meditation every day at the same time.
• stress has been shown to make you feel tired.

Wash your hands

This winter is one of the most effective ways to stay healthy is to remember washing your hands. This may seem like a simple step, but it's one of the most effective methods of killing germs that you receive. Hence, hot tubs for sale