As the seasons shift and temperatures drop, colds and flus tend to start making the rounds. Even when you’re doing all the right things—eating well, resting, moving your body—a virus can still find its way in uninvited.
The good news? There are many gentle, natural ways to support your immune system and feel your best through the colder months. Here's how:
💧 Stay Well Hydrated
Cooler weather often tricks us into feeling less thirsty, but your body still needs fluids to function at its best. Herbal teas, soups, and water-rich fruits and veggies can help keep you hydrated from the inside out.
🧴 Hydrate Your Skin
Noticing your lips or skin feeling dry, tight, or even itchy lately? That’s your body asking for a little extra care. Your skin is your largest organ and plays a key role in your immune defence.
Cold air and hot showers can strip away natural moisture, leaving your skin vulnerable. Applying a nourishing cream or body oil after bathing helps protect and strengthen your skin barrier—keeping it healthy, soft, and well-supported through the season.
🧣 Keep Warm—Especially Around Your Neck and Feet
Cold extremities can reduce circulation, making it harder for your body to stay balanced. Keep your neck and feet toasty to help your system stay regulated and supported.
🥕 Eat Seasonal, Nutrient-Rich Foods
Nature gives us exactly what we need—think hearty soups, root vegetables, and leafy greens rich in vitamins and minerals. Nourishing your body from within gives your immune system the fuel it needs to stay resilient.
💤 Prioritise Rest and Sleep
Your body repairs, resets, and strengthens while you rest. Quality sleep is essential for a healthy immune system, so give yourself permission to slow down when needed.
🧼 Wash Your Hands Regularly
This simple habit is one of the most effective ways to reduce the spread of illness—especially after being out in public or before eating.
🤒 Can Massage Help You Recover From a Cold or Flu?
It’s a common question—and the answer is: not during the active phase of illness.
Massage is most beneficial after your recovery, when your body is ready to receive support. That’s when it can really help clear lingering tension, restore energy, and boost your resilience moving forward.
💆♀️ What Role Does Massage Play?
When you’re feeling well, massage is an excellent tool for maintaining health and balance. It helps to:
Boost circulation and lymph flow
Lower stress (which can compromise immunity)
Promote deep rest and relaxation
Support overall wellbeing
However, if you're feeling unwell, massage isn’t recommended.
While it might be tempting to think massage could “flush out toxins” or help you recover faster, that’s actually a common myth. The body already has its own highly effective detox system—your liver, kidneys, and lymphatic system—and massage doesn't speed up recovery from a virus.
In fact, receiving massage while sick can place extra strain on your immune system when it’s already working hard. It may also leave you feeling more fatigued or achy, and increases the risk of passing illness on to your therapist or others.
The best time for massage is once you've fully recovered—when your body is ready to benefit from the relaxing, restorative effects it offers.
Colds and flus are part of the season, but with gentle daily care and conscious rest, your body has a wonderful capacity to stay strong and bounce back. Massage can be a beautiful part of your self-care—just make sure it’s at the right time.
Take care, stay warm, and I look forward to seeing you when you’re feeling your best.
Warmly,
Your therapist Juno Suh