Tips for maintaining your health during flu season

That time of year has arrived - rain begins in the middle of the day, winds pick up, people start sneezing and before you know it you have picked up a virus and have to take a week off work to recover.

Thankfully, it's not always that easy to get the flu - if you keep your wits about you and take some preventative steps you may be able to have a happy, healthy winter season.

Firstly, maintain a well-balanced diet. We all know how easy it is to become a bit lax with the greens when hearty salt-filled stews and soups are the preferred method of warming up on a cold day.

However, those food options can be used to stave off sickness, as long as they remain free from too many additives. Tastiness can be sourced from condiments other than salt and butter - try using garlic or curry powder to add a kick to a casserole. Italian herbs are a good addition to most soups and can boost flavour without a breaking through the sodium barrier.

The next step is to keep up a good level of vitamin C intake. Orange juice can be a good source but if it starts to get a little boring, try looking to sources just as rich in ascorbic acid.

Fruits like guava and kiwifruit are packed with nutrients - alternatively, a glass of grapefruit juice is a great, tangy way to start the day.

Savoury stuff like red and green capsicum are high in vitamin content, and not just the C variety. They can make great pizza toppings, sandwich fillings and salad extras.

Brussels sprouts are also a good dinnertime source - if you have a deep-seated childhood dislike for the little round ones try slathering them in gravy or cheese sauce before taking a bite.

You might be surprised at the flavour they contain when soused! But make sure that the sauce is as low in fat and salt as possible, too.

And now to the nitty-gritty - if working outside for long periods of time, keep your head covered. The majority of your body's heat is lost through the top of it, so make sure it's kept cosy even if the rest of you is light on clothing.

Perhaps most importantly, keep hygiene at the forefront of your mind - especially if you are sharing a workspace with a number of contractors or fellow tradies.

It might not always be convenient to keep your hands sanitised, but it might work out to be a good alternative to being laid up in bed with a virus you got from borrowing someone else's tools.