8 ways to stay healthy in autumn through private blood testing
If you notice you start to feel your aches and pains more as autumn sets in, you’re not alone. As the seasons shift, we often tend to become more aware of our health, as well as picking up more coughs and colds.
While we can’t stop the colder months from coming, we can make little changes to help boost our health and keep bugs at bay. Here’s eight tips and tricks to look after yourself as autumn starts:
Boost your Vitamin D
As the clocks change and we see less light through the day, it’s important to make sure we still get the vitamin D our bodies need. In the UK, many of us are deficient in this important vitamin so it’s a good idea to take a supplement to ensure you’re getting the levels you need.
Also make sure you get out in the daylight hours where possible. Take a lunchtime walk or ask your colleagues if they fancy talking that meeting outside if the sun is shining.
Practice good hygiene
We may have stopped wearing masks as the Covid-19 pandemic eased, but that doesn’t mean that we should get complacent with our hygiene. Keep washing your hands regularly and using sanitiser when touching surfaces in public places to avoid germs.
Be mindful of your sleep
As the days get shorter, you may notice your sleep habits changing. Getting into good sleep habits is important. Aim to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, try not to use devices before bed and keep your sleep environment clutter free and comfortable.
Track your mood
It’s common to experience a change in your moods as the seasons change. Many of us experience symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) where we notice persistent low mood and fatigue. Keeping a journal of your moods and being aware of changes is a good way to be mindful of these shifts and to get support if they are becoming difficult to manage.
Keep moving
It’s easy to hide away and hibernate when the colder weather creeps in. But it’s important to stay active. Exercising regularly can help boost your mood, aid circulation and digestion, and keep maintain a healthy weight. Try getting out for walks during the day, signing up for local exercise classes, or trying out some of the many free exercise programmes online.
Moisturise
Cold weather can wreak havoc on your skin. Be sure to stay hydrated inside and out, by drinking plenty of water and choosing a good vitamin-rich moisturiser to keep your skin from drying out and cracking.
Eat seasonally
It can be tempting to turn to comforting junk food when it gets cold and dark. But a poor diet will cause you to feel worse in the long run. Instead, try to eat a balanced diet of vitamin and antioxidant–rich seasonal foods, such as beetroot, broccoli, sprouts or cabbage, and fruits like apples, plums and berries.
Check in with your body
We can often feel off kilter as the seasons shift and we adjust to the change in temperature and time. But if you continue to feel ‘off’ despite being mindful to exercise, sleep well and eat right, it could be worth checking in with your body to find out if you’re deficient in essential vitamins or are experiencing other problems.
A comprehensive blood test is a great place to start, giving you information on the health and status of vital organs
Get an autumn health MOT with our private blood testing service
If you notice that you’re not feeling 100%, even though you’ve been looking after yourself, sleeping well and eating right, if may be a good idea to take a closer look at your health.
Our Comprehensive Plus VIP health screen offers a broad range of health checks for common diseases and conditions, as well as vitamin and hormone deficiencies.
Booking your private blood test
We make sure the experience of booking a private blood test is as easy, convenient, and painless as possible. By partnering with Spire Healthcare, we make the process simple and seamless by offering easy-to-book appointments at your local Spire Hospital. Here’s how it works:
After you have selected the right test for you, simply order online through our secure payment system or chat to a member of our team. Once your order is placed, you’ll receive all the information you need to arrange your convenient blood draw appointment at one of our Spire Hospital locations.
Your pathology passport – the information sent to you after you place your order – will also tell you whether you need to fast ahead of your test. Included in each request for sexual health testing are:
- A doctor’s referral
- All phlebotomy
- All laboratory fees
- Our GP’s comments (optional)
How your appointment works
We partner with Spire Healthcare to offer a professional phlebotomy service. This guarantees that your blood samples are taken and handled correctly and that your results are processed efficiently by clinical professionals. Our confidential blood examinations are available at over thirty private clinics around the UK.
At your appointment, the friendly team will talk to you about your test, collect your blood sample and send it off for testing at an accredited partner laboratory. All you need to do is arrive for your appointment. We’ll take care of the test, and the rest.
Clear, accurate results
The time it takes to receive your results will depend on the type of test you have chosen. When they are ready, your results will be sent directly to you, via email, within the time specified. If you would prefer to receive a paper copy of your results through the post, that can be arranged for you.
You can also choose the option of reported or unreported results. Reported results include information and comment from our GP which you may find helpful to discuss with your own consultant, or for your records.