19 Comments
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Carolyn Clarke's avatar

Don't forget washing your hands, often and thoroughly and deep breathing in the morning when you catch the morning light.

Laetitia Maklouf's avatar

Yes let’s hear it for the BREATH!

Jody KF's avatar

Thank you for a very useful post. I would be interested in your thoughts on protein as well please.

Laetitia Maklouf's avatar

Thank you Jody and roger that x

lizwood's avatar

This is v interesting. As you say you’re not a doctor but the advice on gargling, sleep, getting outdoors despite the weather and taking supplements was all advice our (private) GP gave. (Can’t ever get appointments with our NHS GP. Private one made a video when Covid kicked off for his patients.) He also suggested using saline nasal drops when you get a tickle. So you might think about adding that to your list. Happy New Year when it comes. X

Laetitia Maklouf's avatar

Thank you Liz and yes saline is fantastic for clearing a blocked nose (and for general health)… if I could get in the ocean every day, I would do that too! X

Viv Newman's avatar

Thanks Laetitia. This came at a perfect time! Just starting to feel the tickle after a glorious Christmas week with oodles of family members bringing their own unique bugs to add to the festive mix! Salt gargle done! And nasal spray. 🤞💖

Laetitia Maklouf's avatar

Hurrah! Fingers crossed! X

Joanna Callander's avatar

This is a great post, I'm going to add the ones I don't do to my routine. My Gran used to make us do the salt gargle if we had a sore throat.

I'd be interested in your thoughts on protein too. Happy and healthy 2026.

Laetitia Maklouf's avatar

Thanks Joanna - granny wisdom usually wins!

Nicki's avatar

Sleep is wildly underrated I think. Since reading Matthew Walker's book a few years ago I became a bit obsessed about it. I'm now in such a good routine I think I sleep better than ever before (including my childhood!). One thing I feel I became very aware of since COVID was touch points whilst out of the house. Easier in winter because you can wear gloves all the time!

Laetitia Maklouf's avatar

I still haven’t read it but now I’ve ordered it. Tell me about touch points! X

Nicki's avatar

Touch points= any surface handled frequently but multiple people. Think light switches and door handles at home and lift buttons, handrails and table tops/chair backs when out and about.

Think you will find the book very interesting!

Laetitia Maklouf's avatar

Oh! I got that totally muddled and thought you were referring to something sleep-related! Yes I’m afraid I’m one of those people who pushes public buttons with her knuckles because as a child I watched a lorry driver at a petrol station with his hand down his trousers scratching his bum who then filled up with petrol, and walked into the shop, touching ALL the touch points on the way. Ugh!

Nicki's avatar

Ah sorry, my bad. I often write comments in a stream of consciousness, without proper grammar🫣

Also 🤢 wow, so gross! You learnt that lesson young.

Yvonne's avatar

Great information, thank you for sharing. X

Laetitia Maklouf's avatar

Thank you for being here!

Louise Corser's avatar

Thank you for this. I’ve just been out on the garden for some light! It’s 11am but hopefully that still counts as morning! Planning to dig out the collagen later.

Laetitia Maklouf's avatar

Yes, first light, even if it’s later than we’d like, is more useful than none x