Don’t let autumn bugs get you down

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aches and pains, antibiotics, autumn, awake, bed, bin, bones, chemist, chillier months, common cold, Coughs and colds, difficulty swallowing, do not suffer in silence, feel terrible, fever, flu, germs, good sleep patterns, GP, Hand washing, health, health concerns, healthy diet, high fever, hot water bottle, Ill, increased anxiety, infected and inflamed, kids, lots of water, lower moods, mental health, over-the-counter painkillers, painful and swollen glands, raw throat, rest, sad, school, seasons, sharp, Sick bugs, sneeze, sorry for yourself, soups and smoothies, sunshine, symptoms, temperature, the elderly, throat infections, tired, tissue, tonsillitis, tonsils, upset tunnies, vaccination, vapour rub, virus, Vitamin D supplement, vomit, vomiting, white spots, young children

Autumn is a beautiful time of the year, but the changing seasons, and the kids going back to school, means it also comes with a wave of health concerns. While a healthy diet, lots of water, good sleep patterns and exercise can keep you fit, bugs do come along so we have had a look at what they are, and what you can do to get things under control.

Coughs and colds
Coughs and colds make a sharp come back in the chillier months of the year and while they make you feel tired and sorry for yourself, fortunately they aren’t that bad and do go away. The common cold can’t be treated with antibiotics, so you don’t need to see your GP, and you can treat the aches and pains with over the counter painkillers. Keep fluids up, drink soups and smoothies, use a vapour rub and get some rest. Do remember to use a tissue to catch germs when you sneeze and cough and then bin the tissue and wash your hands to stop passing onto others.

Flu
If you have flu you will know it as you will feel terrible for several weeks. Flu can be serious for young children, the elderly, and anyone with a respiratory illness or disease. Flu gives you bad muscle aches and pains that prevent you from getting out of bed, you have a high fever, a raw throat and cough that can keep you awake at night. Again, there is no cure, but you can have the vaccination, which is free for vulnerable groups, otherwise it’s painkillers, rest, a hot water bottle and lots of fluids. If things do get really bad and your symptoms aren’t easing, speak to your GP and just check that you don’t have anything more serious.

Mental health
As the nights draw in, the hours of sunshine decrease and the cold hits our bones, some of us may well experience lower moods, increased anxiety and SAD. A healthy diet, exercise, time outside and a vitamin D supplement can help. If you feel down and just can’t shake this off, contact your GP and see if you can talk to someone and look at the options, but do not suffer in silence.

Sick bugs
Some viruses at this time of year will cause upset tunnies, vomiting, or both, which are pretty miserable, so stay in bed and rest up. Hand washing is the best way to prevent the spread of the virus, and you shouldn’t return to work or school until 48 hours after things have cleared.

Throat infections
Viral infections can cause sore throats that then become infected and inflamed. You can use painkillers from the chemist, but if you have difficulty swallowing, a temperature, painful and swollen glands, or white spots on your tonsils, you may have tonsillitis so will need to see your GP.

So, eat well, drink water, get lots of rest and keep the bugs away as much as you can.

Team Pure Beauty

Carry on camping

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anti-bacterial gel, at one with nature, baby carrier, beaches, budget, camping, campsite, first aid kit, flasks, food and drinks, hills, hotels, lakes, lots of water, matches, mountain type buggy, mountains, pegs, pub, research, rivers, shower, sleeping bag, tent, tents, tin opener, tissues, toilets, towels, wipes

In recent years, with a rise in festivals and a renewed love of the great outdoors, more and more people are skipping checking it at hotels in favour of sleeping in tents.

Camping is a fantastic way to get away from it all with family and friends and being at one with nature.

Not only can it be great fun, and relaxing, it also tends to be more cost-effective than renting a cottage or jumping on a plane.

We know the weather might not always play ball, but we have put together a basic guide to camping so you can give it a go and work whether it’s right for you.

First things first, you need a location. You can take it slowly and start in your own garden, otherwise look for a campsite within an hour or two of home. If you are feeling braver, there are many amazing spots close the hills and dales, beaches and rivers as well as lakes and mountain sides.

When it comes to the camp site, check out the reviews before you book. Just as you would with a hotel, look at the cost, facilities, toilets and showers. See if there is a shop, pub, hot showers and generally cover off the basics so you get a really good feel for where you will be staying and what is on offer.

Once you have booked you will need a tent.

Your tent will be a key purchase, so it is best to get it right.

There’s a wide range of options on the market and you soon just how big a business camping and camping equipment has become.

Set a budget and try to stick to it. Consider how many people will be in the tent because a family of five won’t get much sleep in a two man pop-up. Style, materials and features all affect outdoor living, so do your research and find a tent that works for all your needs.

Each tent goes up in a different way, so we suggest you do a trial run at home before you go away. Pitching doesn’t have to be hard but do read the instructions, don’t do it in the dark and when you pack up, keep all the parts safe. On the day of your trip, leave early so you can set up and remember it isn’t much fun pitching a tent in the dark.

Even in the warmer summer months, the evenings can get cold, so make sure you pack warm sleeping equipment. Start with a mat, it takes the cold floor away from your body and offers comfort. Alternatively go for a blow-up airbed but remember to pack sheets, pillows and of course, a pump. You will also need to take a sleeping bag. Again, do your research. Think about the shape, size, materials and go for the best your budget will stretch too as this will keep you warm and last more than one trip.

Other things we suggest you pack for your trip are:

• Waterproofs and wellies
• Toiletries a hang-up bag you can take to the shower
• Toothbrushes and toothpaste
• Warm jumpers and socks
• Sun screen and hats
• A baby carrier and mountain type buggy (if you have kids)
• Towels
• Toilet rolls, tissues, anti-bacterial gel and wipes
• Insect repellent
• First aid kit
• Flasks, camping cutlery and crockery plus a tin opener
• Matches
• Portable BBQ
• Food and drinks
• Phone and charger
• Lots of water
• Torch and batteries
• Camera

Most of all, enjoy being at one with nature and have a fantastic time.

Team Pure-Beauty