Winter Wellness Check-In: Your Guide to Feeling Your Best This Season

When the winter chill sets in, going into full hibernation mode can feel very tempting. Especially when every second person on your feed seems to be escaping to enjoy a Euro summer. It can be enough to make you want to turn your phone on Do Not Disturb and cancel all plans for the foreseeable future.

But winter doesn’t have to mean abandoning the habits that help you feel good. From fresh air and movement to stocking up your winter health cupboard just in case, consider this your winter wellness check-in.

Before you add anything new to your winter routine, it’s worth checking in on the small things that can slip when the weather cools down. Think: staying hydrated, getting enough rest, moving your body, eating nourishing meals and keeping up with regular hand hygiene.

Fresh air and daylight can help too, even if it’s just a quick walk around the block between rain clouds. And if you’re feeling run-down or unwell, take it as your sign to slow down where you can and rest. Winter doesn’t have to look exactly like summer – a coffee with a friend, a family dinner at home or a cosy night in can be just as restorative as a packed social calendar. A good book to get stuck into is also recommended (by us).

A little preparation can make winter feel easier to navigate. You might find it helpful to have a few practical, commonly used basics in the house, just in case.

Confused in the supplement aisle? You’re not alone. From vitamin C and vitamin D to zinc, probiotics and echinacea, here are a few common winter health ingredients worth knowing – and what they can help support.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a well-known winter health supplement, often one of the first things people reach for when they’re not feeling 100%. A high-strength vitamin C supplement can support immune system health and general wellbeing, while helping to reduce the duration and severity of common cold symptoms.

Vitamin D

If winter has you spending more time indoors than out, vitamin D may already be on your radar. Often referred to as the sunshine vitamin, vitamin D helps maintain healthy vitamin D levels in the body when exposure to sunlight is inadequate. It also supports immune system health and function, as well as healthy bones and teeth.

Zinc

Zinc is an essential mineral that helps support healthy immune system function and general health and wellbeing in adults. Because the body doesn’t naturally produce zinc, it’s important to get it through diet or supplementation where appropriate. A high-strength zinc supplement can be an easy option for adults looking to support zinc levels as part of their winter routine.

Probiotics

Gut health has become a major focus in recent years, and probiotics are one way to help maintain healthy gut flora and support gastrointestinal health. Some probiotic formulas are also designed to aid in recovery from illness by helping to stimulate a healthy immune system response. 

Echinacea

Echinacea is a herbal ingredient often found in winter wellness supplements. Unlike vitamins and minerals, it’s derived from a flowering plant and is commonly used to enhance immunity. Echinacea supplements can help relieve symptoms of common colds and flu, including nasal congestion and runny nose, and help reduce the duration and severity of common cold and flu symptoms.

Not sure where to start in the supplement aisle? These formulas are designed to support a healthy immune system function, helping you focus your winter wellness routine.

While cold and flu symptoms can overlap, flu symptoms tend to present more intensely . Common cold symptoms are generally milder and more commonly involve sneezing, congestion and a sore throat, while symptoms of the flu are more likely to include fever, fatigue, headaches and body aches.

Knowing the difference can help you recognise how symptoms are generally managed, including  when it may be appropriate to rest, manage symptoms at home or seek advice from a healthcare professional for further guidance. 

In some circumstances, and where a pharmacist determines it is appropriate following assessment, an absence from work certificate may be available from a pharmacist at selected Chemist Warehouse pharmacies.^*

In Australia, influenza vaccination services are available at selected Chemist Warehouse pharmacies, with appointments generally able to be booked in store or online, subject to availability and eligibility.

If you have questions about your individual needs, speak to your pharmacist, GP or healthcare professional for advice.

If your social feeds are full of Aperol spritzes, beach clubs and overseas summer photo dumps right now, you're not alone. But winter doesn't have to be something you simply endure until September rolls around. Whether you’re checking in on your everyday routine, topping up your household items or booking a flu vaccination, Chemist Warehouse is here to support you through the season. Shop winter health products in-store or online, or pop in and visit your local pharmacy for advice.

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^{Article content disclaimer: ^Always read the label and follow the directions for use. *Absence from work certificates are issued by a pharmacist at their discretion and within their scope of practice and cannot be backdated. Service availability may vary between pharmacies, so please contact your local Chemist Warehouse pharmacy to confirm availability. Patients must present valid ID when requesting this service. Fees apply.}